Seriously, what have you got to lose? Possibly some money, I guess, should you decide that the Tango is not for you and need to get sme dough back, but beyond that, if it it works out, how cool would that be, and if it doesn't, my guess is you can find another kind of dance that would be less punishing, maybe even fun!
Jeff
As much as I Like "Dancing with the stars", I am in Love with "so you think you can dance"! Although my story is a bit diffirent from yours my passion and love for dance is the same. When I was 6 and diagnosed my mother and I began to ask some questions. Since my dream was to become a Dancer and make it to Broadway, the first question was will I be able to become a dancer and the doctor answred, NO, you proably won't be able to to that, what he meant was, I proably shouldn't because the rigirous activity will cause more damage. Of course because he put it the way he did, I was all, Watch Me! Although I didn't make it to Broadway in my late teens and early twenty's I danced professionally for various DJ's at their shows. And although the next day I would be swollen stiff and in terrible pain, I don't regret my decision for a moment, even though I'm pretty sure that the grinding in my knees is dirrectly related to my over use of the damm things. I will never regret dancing nor will I ever stop just because I love it so much, it's my Bliss! Follow you Bliss, do what will put a smile on your face if even for a moment! Go For It! P.L.U.R. Peace, Love, Unity, Respect
Sincerly, Becky Sue
Ha! I wish I had your RA.
Sometimes I think there should be three different diseases. There's R1A, which is what that chick had who was on SURVIVOR and won. Yes in theory, but basically in remission.
Then there's R2A. I think that's what you've got, which allows you to dance and go to Buenos Aires.
And then, there's R3A, which is what I've got. Great rheumatological care for fifteen years, including by a former president of the American College of Rheumatology. One of the first in the country to get Enbrel/methotrexate in combination. And still, walking five blocks is an impossibility, sleep is a 10 hour a night affair, my marriage has been crushed by the weight of the disease and the changes it has wrought in both me and my husband, and the idea of dancing is consigned to the dustbin of never will be.
Sigh.
It's sometimes tough to read about someone with "RA" who can dance. Very, very tought.
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I think I understand what you mean by R3A and not being able to dance. So what if you cannot dance you can sing. For that you just need to start in the bathroom and then come out slowly and sing in the living room and maybe after a while in an informal gathering at friends. I did that since I can hardly walki without my cratch, but has improved my singing to be good enough to do it in front of friends gathering. It gives me immense pleasure. So what if my legs fail but my voice still works.
Ratnapriya
I think I understand what you mean by R3A and not being able to dance. So what if you cannot dance you can sing. For that you just need to start in the bathroom and then come out slowly and sing in the living room and maybe after a while in an informal gathering at friends. I did that since I can hardly walki without my cratch, but has improved my singing to be good enough to do it in front of friends gathering. It gives me immense pleasure. So what if my legs fail but my voice still works.
Ratnapriya
Ugh, I know your pain. I'm so sorry. It's hard enough to deal with the pain, and then dealing with all the distruction it causes elsewhere, like your relationships and your view of yourself, is really too much. I hope you hang in there. After a while, you'll probably just say "F* it" and do things in spite of it all. I just started teaching a pre-ballet class for 4-6 year olds. Ballet slippers on hardwood floor is awful, but I'm over not doing the things I want to. So, I'll just ignore my rheumatologist's advise, pretend I don't hurt, and run around with fairy wings and pink, sparkley scarfs like I'm light as a feather. I'm not sure how long you've been dealing with the R3A, but hope your feeling better soon and the stupid disease stops messing around with your life soon.
I've been active for years on an arthritis Usenet group, dating from the days when Usenet was IT! lol One of my friends from that group is a ballroom dancer and has been in many competitions. She had RA for about 15 years before it was diagnosed because it had an atypical presentation. She continued to dance through the years. One story I always will remember is how she's had one wrist replaced twice because of swing dancing too enthusiastically after the first one! Come to think of it, I'll email her and tell her to look in on this blog! Then she can tell you herself.
Go for it! Those of us who have had inflammatory arthritis for decades know you have to do things while you can cause you don't know what the future holds!
Was push toward your blog by another friend with arthritis. Have only read your first page and want to say that I have dance since before I lost my first wrist and then the other wrist and then 3 fingers and a thumb and two knees. Do I have a severe case -- yes. After each surgery I lived for the time the doctor would finally say, Yes -- you can go back to dancing. I do compete - now at the senior level as well as perform every three months or so. I take one lesson a week which is NOT like dancing for a TV show. My teacher is gentle with me when I need it or push me when my body is letting me go. I go to a large chain and have found good luck with that. The chain works well for me and when I moved across the country 5 years ago, I was able to walk right into the same chain on this coast and feel like I fit right in.
Every single doctor that I have always asked me 'are you still dancing' to which I joyfully can answer yes. I might also mention that my mother who will be 91 in Feb. is also still dancing although you can't let go of her when you send her off on an underarm turn as she gets dizzy now. At her age, she is forgiven.
I would encourage you to find a studio that fits your personality and one that wants to keep you safe and give dancing a try. I think most studios [certainly the one that I go to does] offers a free lesson to try it out. Be prepared to say no to any sales pitch unless you really want to. but I has saved me from depression when I find myself losing yet another joint.
Oh, I wear Birks all the time except when I am on the floor. Then I have specially ordered 2" heels which I wear. Most are either 2.5 or 3 which is what the pros wear. No thank you -- no anymore. They also have 1" and 1/2" so there is something pretty for everyone. Dance shoes allow the toes to spread in a the shoe so that you get more room in them than most shoes on the market. I have a wide foot and can't buy any pretty shoes in regular shoes but I can find a comfortable dance shoe all the time.
Probably won't be back to read any more of your blog [life has gotten complicated] but a friend reading your blog want me to let you know what joy dancing has brought to my life.
Good luck to you
Duckie
I've had JRA since I was one, and after about six years getting it under control, my mom put me in dance. I've been a serious dancer ever since, at 17, even though I have to miss occasionally because of related disease I was diagnosed with in my junior year of high school, fibromyalgia. So go for it! If you don't like it, don't do it; but, don't like RA stop you!
Hi, just wanted to put my two cents out real quick - I'm a swing dancing teacher with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Seattle, WA (www.seattleswing.com) and I think it's a phenomenal way to get exercise, meet people, listen to great music, and just experience the joy of partner dancing. I, too, have a hard time with the concept of wearing heels, but if you try swing you'll find that most people wear flats or even athletic shoes (when my feet/toes are hurting, I will wear my running shoes and it's fine). Don't let RA stop you, and make sure that whomever teaches you is aware of RA so that they can make sure to emphasize proper technique (with the hands) so that they don't hurt you. YAY dancing!
I was so interested by the topic of people dancing with RA that I actually made a short video about it to enter in a local jazz/swing video contest in Seattle. It doesn't go into many of the details of how i manage dancing with RA but it gives a fun overview...hope it helps inspire you to dance! Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JIKjPrmvDs
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I have watched every single episode of that show - it makes me happier than anything else on TV. I took ballroom lessons as a child (it was quite common when I grew up in Denmark for kids to do this) and often go to performances of various forms of dance. And every time, I really, really want to be up there. Well, not actually on stage, but dancing. You don't get the same feeling moving around in a wheelchair - although, I could tell you stories about certain Christmas parties involving one of my friends, me, my manual wheelchair and some fairly serious taking over off the dance floor with some pretty nifty moves (some of which caused various people in the room to look absolutely scandalized, because you don't do dirty dancing with the cripple, y'know?
).
Which is a long way of saying go for it. You may not dance the way you used to, but you would be dancing and isn't that the important thing?