Shamelessly using a walker

I think when you have an invisible illness younger than retirement age, it's a matter of pride to want to struggle along without the markers of old age. A walker has come to wrongly signify old age, when what it really should signify is that you have an impairment but it is perfectly okay.

When my pain was escalating and I was still in the limbo of trying to get the referral to my rheumatologist squared away, I bought myself this walker. I had a knee injury many years prior, and had become very familiar with using a cane. Now it was pain on both sides of my body making it increasingly difficult to walk. I just needed some of the weight off without having to balanced my weight fully on hands or shoulders like with crutches. 

This one, unlike standard walkers, has three wheels. It's lighter than most all-wheel models and folds up really flat for transport.

Even though I don't use it all of the time, it has become a go-to item for my parents too. It is the travel walker. The walker used when you know you could use a little support and need it to not take up space. It even has that little storage area that you can put purses, tablets, bottled drinks, etc. into so you don't have to try to carry them.

I feel that there comes a time when you just have to let go of your pride and just do it. I actually felt better, more balanced, and was actually able to get around much more freely using it. And even when I'm not using it, it is a comfort knowing I have it again if the pain gets too bad.

Click On this link to check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MCLELQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Happiness of Open Jars

Back in the days before Rheumatoid Arthritis upended my life, I was one of those people who could sometimes open their own jars. How times have changed. Between my hand problems and the problems of my aging parents, there wasn't a person in the family who could get a jar open easily.

This little gadget was a total game-changer. It hooks on the edge and with a lift of the handle will help give that glorious seal-popping sound. Then one can fairly easily unscrew the lid. Not that unscrewing is always painless, but certainly much less painful thanks to this little tool.

It is called a Jar Key and is available through Amazon. We cannot function well without it. Pickle jars, we scoff at thee!

Will you open this for me?

I think if someone were going to develop a catch phrase for me, while I would prefer something zippier, it would probably be, "Will you open this for me?" Because, with RA, I say this all the time.

Early on, I didn't have a diagnosis yet. My brother was in the hospital's ICU, and I only had limited times to switch off with family members eating in the cafeteria. I didn't have anybody around and my fingers were doing their impression of the Michelin tire man. Getting a grip on anything was painful and totally impossible.

It's times like this, which make you reliant upon the kindness of strangers. Luckily, I live in a town with incredibly kind and helpful people. Water, juice, or whatever bottle I needed to open would be no problem and they seemed genuinely happy to help. I usually chose someone who didn't seem too involved in a conversation or too deeply involved in reading.

However, as time went on I just didn't want to have to do this everywhere I went. I didn't want to accost people at every place I ate, or every theater I went to. I wanted to gain at least a little independence.

And so, this little tool came into my life. Behold the Jokari 3-in-1 beverage opener.

I got one first to try at home. It worked so well that I left it at home and got another that I carry it around in my purse. I probably can't take it on flights because they probably consider it a weapon. I don't know for sure. Regardless, when I'm out with friends and get a water at the movie theater, or a San Pellegrino in a restaurant, I can absolutely open it myself.

Score one for independence!

Welcome, to Beauty and the RA Beast!

I was officially diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis almost two years ago. While the answer to my months of pain and suffering was a relief, it would also be months yet before I got even some of the relief I was looking for. I was in full flare for a long time, would go through other seasonal illnesses that would make my RA so bad I could barely do things like dress and go to the bathroom. Most activities during the worst days required a walker.

Luckily my pain has been reduced to about 75% of what it used to be. But my rheumatologist is still not happy with the remaining inflammation and its potential to make my life miserable. As the weeks follow, I'll let you know how it goes with the medications prescribed and my journey. I also belong to support groups online, so anyone wanting to know more may ask in the comments.

But I have also come across a number of tools to help me along the way. And that's the purpose of this blog. I not only want to share my chronic illness, but also to show you some products that have made my life a whole lot easier. My goal is to at least once a week show you a device that will help you in your ability to do everyday tasks, like open a water bottle, or medicine.

So, follow me. Won't you? We're in this together.