On the evening before the RA Day, I met with this group of arthritis sufferers for the first time in a gathering to share our stories as an arthritis sufferer. Meeting these lovely people of our own kind in sufferings and deformities was really a great and heart warming moment. Hearing stories of their sweet and bitter moments, courage and determination in handling pain, their light hearted humour of their adversities they face in their lives really bring us closer together.
I could remember the lovable and chubby Annie Hay with both knees having gone through knee replacement surgery with her lively humour and walking like a duck. The cheeky Mahendran, a psoriasis arthritis sufferer told about his stories of sitting alone in a packed bus even though his disease is not contagious. Our courageous businesswoman or bionic woman who had the most joint replacement in the group, Ding Mee Hong, with 2 knees, 2 hips and finger joints surgery. She is now the Chairperson of the RA support group trying to bring awareness and educating those ignorant of this destructive disease as well as bringing together RA sufferers. A skeptical young Siti who walks with a limp was given some advice and assurance by the group of the importance and benefits of early treatment and surgery.
Most arthritis sufferers shy away from telling about their pain for the reason that most non sufferers would not understand their pain and with a gathering like this we are able to express ourselves better besides educating and comforting each other to a better lifestyle. As for that matter I would really like to see more of these fellowship among arthritis sufferers through a support group in Penang if possible. Those who are interested in joining a support group which I will be gathering can leave a note for me in my message box here. Here are some pics of our gathering to share.....
Annie Hay....the MC of the evening.......
Ding Mee Hong sharing her stories...........
Siti is all ears...............
Pat and Mee Hong listening earnestly to a speaker.....
L to R...Teon, Esther, Steven and Lucie, in concentration....
A member speaking out.........
