You Are Not a Burden

“Having extra needs does not make you too difficult, too time-consuming, but worthy of compassion and love.” –Chanel Miller

Here’s my latest article for RheumatoidArthritis.net–published today!

Not “Too Difficult”

People who live with extra needs, such as having RA, often struggle with feeling like they’re a burden to their family and friends — and to everyone. They constantly worry that they’re “too much” for people because of their chronic illnesses and chronic pain: financially, physically, and emotionally. And they often work and fight really hard to mask their pain and illness in order to not be a burden.

This isn’t fair, of course, because nobody chooses to have this painful disease, and I believe that people are invariably doing the best they can in life. But when you live with an “invisible illness” such as RA, it’s easy for others to not know or understand just how painful and debilitating RA can be. We who have RA want to be “normal” and productive members of our families, communities, and society. And we don’t want to burden anyone or feel like a burden or a pain because of our limitations and disabilities from the disease.