TERESA WOOD Arthritis ruthlessly robbed me of my mobility and life as I knew it at age 36...and I agree with everyone else: No one understands the disease and the impact of the pain. It just sucks!
KAILEIGH CEURVORST Arthritis is unacceptable because, at 20 years old and as a junior in college, finals this week were brutal. Not because I didn't understand the course material; because I missed so much class during the semester because of my arthritis, couldn't physically study for long periods of time, and because actually taking the exams was difficult with the pain and stiffness in my hands. It's so frustrating.
JOHNIE FILES I never had drawn an unemployment check in my life. I always had a job. Most of the time I had two jobs. But I had to take early retirement because of arthritis in my knees.
MICHELLE STEIN Rheumatoid arthritis robs you of your life. It's frustrating being young and not being able to do things you should be able to do. It's frustrating when some days I can't work or comb my hair. The dependence on others to help can at times be depressing.
MEGAN KELLY I'm only 24 and I have RA. I got diagnosed with it last year. It makes me feel old, useless and depressed. I've tried to adjust to this new pain, but I can't seem to get past it. It's raining today, and the pain got really bad at around 2:30 a.m. I can't really do anything about it but take medication. This is unacceptable.
PHILIP RUTH With RA and OA, there are good and bad days, with many medications to juggle. Ignoring arthritis is unacceptable.
TONYA ATKINSON It robs me of way too much precious time with my husband and children.
LETICIA BRADFORD MOHAMED Arthritis is unacceptable because, on the days when I'm hurting, laughing is a little harder and tears are a little too easy.
GLORY My 3-year-old daughter, Dani, fights pain and damage to her eye because of this disease. She has had polyarticular JIA since November of 2009. She's so tiny but MIGHTY! It's heartbreaking on bad days, but she's full of joy on good days.
MARK HAUBNER If we can get to the point where I can control my OA and actually become more active in the things I used to like to do, I'd be very excited. If we can stop arthritis from happening to my daughter, that's my goal.
AMANDAH HENDRICKS RA sucks because I can't pick up my kids. I can't tie their shoes! I can't dress them (or myself)! When we play, I'm terrified of them touching my hands.
