With limited internet exposure those days, I remember pleading to the Almighty to give me 5 more years so that she is 10 and in a position to manage herself. And when she was 10, I asked for another extension of 5 years and once she came of 15, from then on I get up every morning and just thank God for giving me an opportunity to live the day and try to make the most it. It might sound strange but yes these were my intimate conversations with the Almighty!

From then on my personal mantra is Thank you God for thinking of me and keeping me alive and am doing fine! These words replace any negative thoughts and all through my journey this has grounded and centered me.

I love to share my positive voice as an advocate in the arthritis, chronic illness, and self-care communities. My positive ongoing journey with RA for the last few years set me to think of penning my thoughts and in fact I drafted and started blogs which never got published and now it just got me going and here I am with you!

I have worked hard on myself in terms of mind body and soul and have come a long way. I am an active Patient Representative for the Middle East Arthritis Foundation.

I am dedicated to helping people learn about Arthritic Disease, day to day management coping strategies and I spend much of my time writing and talking about this both formally and informally.

What I can share is my experience. Nobody has all the answers. We should always be in learning mode. I want to create awareness and inspiration for those battling adversity to pursue their dreams and not allow a medical diagnosis to detour them. It has made me realize how important it is to live each day in the moment.

The moral and the strength of my story is, I know the pain and the way it has changed my life but am a positive fighter! I have never been a quitter—or a complainer, even after having to live with pain day in day out for years.

What I try to remember above all else is that I’m not my illness. I think about those parts of myself that I have nothing to do with RA: my love for my family, my passion for writing, my passion for social work, my thoughts and aspiration. Its these qualities I bring to my relationships.

I take this platform to thank my supportive and loving husband and loving daughter duo to being my solid partners in this journey called RA Positive+. They are my rock and mortar on the road to my wellbeing! And my family and friends who pray for me relentlessly!

Let’s board this train and learn and share our experiences and spread hope and health!

My warm regards is sent to all as we each continue our journeys on our road back to health!

Sanria