7 Reasons I’m Glad I have Psoriatic Arthritis

I have lived with psoriatic arthritis for so long that it’s hard to imagine life without chronic pain. At 53, psoriatic arthritis has been with me for half my life. Occasionally, someone comments on the positive attitude I have about my pain.

The decision to choose gratiude

My life might be pretty miserable if I allowed myself to constantly focus on what pain takes away from my life. Instead, I would like to share with you why I’ve come to be grateful for some positive aspects of living with this disease.

Finding strength in advocacy

I'm grateful that psoriatic arthritis has given me a degree of expertise in patient advocacy, earned through years of experience talking to medical professionals. I am not intimidated by asking a doctor to explain why they prescribed a particular medication or how they came to a diagnosis. Knowing the right questions to ask and persevering at getting answers has helped me get to the bottom of the illnesses of my family, from my daughter's PsA diagnosis to my mother's dementia and recurring UTIs.

Wise and experienced

I'm grateful that after my daughter's diagnosis of psoriatic disease, I had enough knowledge from my years of experience to know how to help her start treatment. When she had to give herself that first injection, she knew exactly what to do. Having seen me do injections as part of my own treatment she was less afraid than she might have been.

Seeing the world

Travel opportunities have come my way because of psoriatic disease. I’ve had opportunities to travel within the US and internationally to share my experiences with PsA. It is incredibly rewarding to have an opportunity to use my story to shape the future of disease treatment. An added bonus is the friends I've made on each of these trips!

Confidence in sharing my story

I love an opportunity to talk about my favorite subject – myself! I have been featured in magazines, online publications, and a book. Each interview that I give is an opportunity to share all of the challenges and triumphs I have faced along the way. After all, the subject of me is what I know the most about, so it’s an easy conversation, and one I'm grateful to be able to have and bring visibility to a sometimes invisible disease.

The empathy impact

Because of my own diagnosis, I have developed a heightened sense of empathy for others who are struggling. When you understand pain, it’s easier to give the benefit of the doubt to another who has to cancel at the last minute because they don’t feel well.

Strengthening boundaries

I have learned the skill of saying no. Whether it’s an invitation to a restaurant with uncomfortable chairs or someone who is offering to sell me their miracle cure, I have become confident in my ability to say no. I know my limitations and my needs. My nonsense meter is finely attuned. If something isn’t going to meet my specific needs, I simply and directly decline.

Unconditional love

The most important reason I am glad to have psoriatic disease is because of what it's allowed me to see in the people in my life. My family and friends have always allowed me to be myself when we’re together. They are patient with my limitations. They don’t give up on me after I, once again, have to cancel plans at the last minute. The people I surround myself with care about how I feel. Without this disease in my life, I might never have realized how much they all love me.

Thankful for this journey

Psoriatic arthritis can be painful and exhausting. But, it’s a major part of my life and I choose to accept it and be thankful for the experiences that come with it. While this disease does not define me, I certainly wouldn’t be who I am today without it.