International
Organisation of Youth with Rheumatism
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International
Organisation of Youth with Rheumatism
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You are accepted
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For me personally, it was an instructive week spent with those young people, who are already aware of the difficulties that people with rheumatism have to overcome and who have become “thanks to” their experiences as patients, almost experts on their own rheumatic disease |
I was glad to find out that these people are able to struggle and live a happy and meaningful life. The crutches and wheelchairs are perceived in a totally new way - they are no more considered to indicate problems or barriers – they serve as means of transport that gets you closer to your goals, they save time, shorten distances and you no longer have the dilemma whether to join the others, or not. We, the rheumatics, are well informed about our diseases and individual treatments and prognoses. After accepting rheumatism as a lifelong companion, we learn to live with ourselves and we are, step-by-step, day-by-day, more aware of our possibilities and the whole know-how of living with pain and with certain limitations. Sometimes it happens that even “non-rheumatics” come to us to ask for advice. For them, we are often the experienced ones, who know how to cope with different tasks that arise every day. Here something like “reversed integration” may happen, when people with good health are integrated into our “community” and not vice versa. In fact, in what other way if not through “reversed integration” could we teach them to accept us as equals? Call them to see how we are doing things, so they could understand our joys and sorrows, our aches and pains, our specific humour. Show them in what way we are unique! Invite your friends to take part in our activities, share your points of view, show them the sources of our happiness! Because there is one thing I am sure about: in spite of all the difficulties, we are all able to be happy - we are able to shine! One thing is of special importance for me. During the week I realized, I wasn't trying to be perfect. I felt safe with you and with my body and thoughts, because everybody was so tolerant and eager to express his/her own feelings of solidarity that you could feel safe and protected from each side. A pleasant atmosphere had started immediately after our arrival: the friendly greetings, hugs and words unlocked the hearts as if by magic. I just said to myself: “Hey, there is no need to be perfect with these people. Nobody wants you hide your hands or do anything special to fit in - YOU ARE ACCEPTED!” The week proved that the most important thing was you were there, willing to do something, to get involved, ready to give a bit of yourself to others. This attitude made the communication easy, gave flow to our emotions, unlocked our hidden thoughts and feelings so that we could express and develop our creativity freely, without limitation. The mere fact that all those countries came to be co-creators of a birthing power is a power itself. Even if we are from different parts of Europe and we suffer from various kinds of rheumatic diseases, our WILL made us all equal and close to each other, helped us to lessen the existing barriers and helped us to accept all our specific, unique differences of individuals with rheumatism. The congress has opened a multicultural dialogue, improved mutual understanding and respect and will serve as a stimulus for further activities. Finally, I would like to thank all the participants for their willingness to work, to be active, to speak out, and to be helpful, open and positive, for willingness is the key, the motivating power of every good cooperation. It was a pleasure for Slovakia to take part in such a fabulous event. Both Daniela and I were happy to meet you and we wish you all the best and lots of inspiration and energy to work. Hope to see you in the future! Published in Newsletter no. 7, August 2001 More articles about the IYC 2001: Articles from Newsletter no. 7 - August 2001
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