Wednesday, September 14, 2011

When Life Hands You a Float, You Ride It

So, I work at a feminist organization, and one of the events we hold each year is Take Back the Night.  It's an opportunity for women to march down the street, chanting, singing, holding signs and protesting violence against women.  Supportive men wait for us at a local park, bbq-ing and preparing for our arrival.  Then it's fun family time with singing, poetry and other open-mic type entertainment.

This is one of my favourite events we hold.  It's utterly empowering, thrilling and totally fun.  Over 100 women and children, a float and a lot of noise.

                                                      Getting ready for last year's march

However, this is going to be the first year that I may not be able to walk.  I've been in a major flare impacting my right hip and right knee (with some major neck muscle pain to boot) for about two weeks.  I can barely make it around my house most days, never mind a 30 minute walk.

As I mentioned above, we do have a float, and I will be taking full advantage.  So, this year, instead of walking at the front and chanting until my throat is raw, I will be riding in the back and chanting until my throat is raw.  I'm still participating, but I'm a little sad that it's not how I want to be participating.

This is all a lead in to the fact that the march, this Friday night, will be my last day of work for a month.  I'm taking off a month paid sick leave to try and get my health back on track, then re-entering work on a part-time basis for a period of time.  My workplace is beyond supportive, for which I am unbearably grateful.  I know not everyone has this option.

RA got the best of me, y'all.  But I'm not going down without a massive fight, and I plan on rising from this crap by taking care of myself and RESTING.  What a novel idea :)

6 comments:

  1. I certainly feel for you & how it's affecting you. I am a survivor of domestic abuse and this is one of the best events going hands down. I don't know why there is so, no.. SOOOO... much violence against women or why it's increasing in numbers that scare me away from the news but it's happening & it's got to stop! I applaud anyone willing to get involved. BRAVA!

    I too have been in a hellacious flare with several med changes to try and top it off. I'm back on enbrel as it did more for me than the humira ever got started doing. I'm struggling and I am angry at myself for not being able to accomplish anything of greatness such as ... a load of laundry without tears. Funny isn't it, how we put into perspective what is really important in the short list of things to do?

    I hope you feel better soon and I will include you in my prayers.

    I'm having a GIVEAWAY if you would like to put your name in. It's open to everyone!!

    Hugs
    Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  2. aw Pony, sorry to hear about the flare. :( sending healing thoughts your way! what a great event though, i'm glad you can take part in some way at least. plus remember all the work you've put into organising the event, despite not 'walking' in it you've actually done more than enough already!! just focus on yourself for now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Big careful squishy hugs from the three of us, and drooly ones from of us who shall remain nameless, lol. RELAX!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So sorry to hear you are in one of those horrible flares from the dark side. I can only hope that the month off will put you back on track to some extent. Please know that you will be in my thoughts for better days ahead and I am looking forward to reading your blog post that confirms this. Feel better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Pony,

    I hope the rest gets you back on track and you even have a chance to eat some pie! In the meantime, good luck with the event and have tons of fun!

    :) L

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you all!! In the end, it poured down rain, and we shortened our march considerably. Guess who walked the whole way?? Yay!!

    Tammy: I am very sorry to hear that you have had to experience that in your life, but am glad to hear that you are in a much better place now :) Much love sent your way! My work can be hard, but I am absolutely passionate about it!

    Laurie: My in-laws just left, but had brought with them about 10 pounds of Quebec apples. The pies were faboulous!! I think there may actually may be a rogue piece left...

    Steph,
    posting anonymously as blogger still sucks

    ReplyDelete