“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.” ― Brené Brown 

A full body flare has a way of making me feel vulnerable. Sometimes I want to hide what is happening to my body, but the flare encourages me to share it because it is a part of who I am.

It is uncomfortable and embarrassing to have others see me struggle to get up from a chair or to see the inflammation in my hands, but it is who I am.

It takes a lot of strength to share with your boss that you need to prioritize your workload because your body has shouted out loud to you that it can’t take the long days or the stress I have been putting it through.

Strength is sharing with others that I haven’t been taking care of myself when I pride myself on self-care.

Rheumatoid arthritis does not make me weak. It reminds me of how strong and resilient I am as a person.  RA is a part of who I am. Sometimes it makes me cry and I want to hide but other times it challenges me to be my better self. That takes courage, something I know for certain I have.

Take care of yourselves friends because when we don’t RA will remind us.