The Dance of Rheumatoid Arthritis

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?

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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