Welcome to our “family”! As a daughter ( wife,sister, sister-in-law etc.) who is very close to her family it is so important to have our loved ones involved in this journey. I don’t know if RA Guy has shared RA Connect with you but if not it would show you how very fortunate we are to have family members who care enough to try to understand what we are dealing with and support us. I do want you to know that WE know how lucky we are to have you!

As the mom of an adult son, I know how very hard it can be to watch your son hurting and struggling. It can tear a piece of your heart out when you can’t do anything to make it stop. Though our sons have different situations- it doesn’t change that as a Mom our first instinct is to protect our children and try to make it all better. I am sure it is doubly difficult when faced with your son having a chronic illness. My heart goes out to you.

I want you to know that your son contributes so much to our community. Not only does he share his journey but for many of us he has given us a wonderful tool to open a dialogue and educate the people in our lives who might never be able to understand. It makes a tremendous difference. You should be so very proud of him!

Enjoy your visit and stay strong RA Mom! We are all here with you.

As a daughter (and sister, and sister-in-law etc) who lives with this, I cannot tell you how important it is for those of us who are close to our Moms to have your support. I know you read his blog- but I don’t know if he has shared the Arithritis Foundation’s boards with you. If you have read them, you probably know how very fortunate we are to have family members who want to learn and understand what we are going through. I want you to know that WE know that we are very lucky to have Moms like you. <3

As the Mom of a grown son- I know how difficult it is to watch your son (aka the light of your life- the apple of your eye- I could go on for weeks) struggle and hurt. The pain our sons deal with is very different but I am sure it tears our hearts in the same way. The hardest thing for me has been to step back and let him find his way.

Thank you for your wonderful son. He contributes so much to our community. He has not only made a difference with those of us living with the disease but he has helped us bridge the gap with those who are in our lives but don't *quite* understand. You should be so very proud,

Jules

I have learned a lot from my mom about not letting disease stop me from living but since my diagnosis I have also learned to share more with her and she has learned to do the same. I think we are never too old to need our moms and when we can grow from the experiences, we are definitely lucky. You are lucky to have your mom with you for a full month. Enjoy every moment.

RA Guy’s Mom – You did something very special with this man. He is bringing a positive change to the world! What a proud momma you must be. 

(Sorry! I didn’t intend this to be so long)