#185 – But You’re So Young

If I had a pebble of sand for each time someone would utter those words when they learned that I had rheumatoid arthritis - I was still in my teens and twenties - I would have a pretty nice beach! Gee, I wonder why I don't hear that anymore?!

Typically, rheumatoid arthritis is seen more frequently in females. The average age of onset varies dependent upon where you look, but suffice to say that it usually develops somewhere between the ages of thirty and fifty.

There are several forms of arthritis that are seen in children, some as young as six months old. These include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), systemic infection rheumatoid arthritis, pauciarticular JRA, polyarticular JRA, plus others.

When I was doing my BEd - ahem, years ago - I wrote a paper for an Educational Psychology class. I'm in the process of updating it; it's an interesting look at seeing what has and hasn't changed in - OK, I'll tell you - almost thirty years.

To learn more about juvenile arthritis (JA), please visit the following websites:

If you would like a more personal look at JA, please visit Gavin's Story - Living with Junior Arthritis.

6 Replies to “#185 – But You’re So Young”

  1. One of the most influential women in my young life was Barbara Tennant, writer, thinker, seeker. She developed RA at 17. She lived on to have three amazing children, one being Andy Tennant writer and director. Barbara meditated and that helped her deal with her pain. RA was her life, but she lived it–just as you and so many others do. Blessings, Beth

  2. Thank you for sharing this information, Marianna. I had no idea that arthritis could strike people at any age (certainly not young children or infants).

    I also hadn’t realized how many years you have been dealing with this…that in, of itself, must take its stress toll. Is this how you ultimately entered the anti-stress field as a way of being able to better manage your rheumatoid arthritis and the limitations and pain that go along with it?

    1. Dorlee,

      It’s sad to say that arthritis – there’s over 100 different types – knows no age limits.

      You guessed it! Over the years, I have tried a virtual A to Z of alternatives to help me with RA. One of the best things I’ve done has been to learn about stress and practise undressing it on a daily basis.

  3. And if I may, I’d like to take my hat off to you because you are not only such a lovely person, but also a most generous and giving one who is taking the time to share the lessons learned from your experiences so as to make it easier for others who may suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or stress (on your anti-stress blog http://auntiestress.ca/ ).

    Wishing you much lovingkindness,
    Dorlee

    1. Dorlee,

      Thank you for your kind words. I realize that people have their own journeys, but it would be an honour to travel part of the way with them to help “lighten the luggage”.

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