Hi. I am Megan’s father.
I have Arthritis of the Heart.
This is a chronic ailment.
There is no known cure.
There is no medication to ease this pain.
This location of my arthritis is at the intersection of my
love for Megan and the helplessness I feel.
When Megan was 16 years old she was a jock – basketball; volleyball;
outdoor education with its rock climbing; spelunking; canoeing; swimming and
fitness requirements.
When Megan was 16 years old she came upstairs one day and
said – “Dad, my feet hurt.” That statement was the start of her arthritis
journey.
As Megan’s father I felt that I had failed her. As her
father it is my responsibility to protect her from danger as she grows up. I
felt helpless that I could not stop her from having arthritis. It’s irrational
– I know. But a father’s feelings aren’t always rational. I wept for my
daughter’s pain.
Fast forward 20 years.
We have both learned more about arthritis and each other
through Megan’s non-stop journey.
I now know that for every person who has arthritis there are
two or three more people who have Arthritis of the Heart. We are the people who
love the people with arthritis.
As long as Megan has her arthritis – I don’t want to be
cured of mine.
3 comments:
Megan's Dad, thanks for sharing. "As her father it is my responsibility to protect her from danger as she grows up. I felt helpless that I could not stop her from having arthritis. It’s irrational – I know." I was just sharing this same idea with my teenage daughter the other day with a health issue she has had since infancy. It breaks your heart as a parent not being able to protect them or figure out a way to make it all go away. A very touching post.
Wow. Just wow. And I'm floored and teary eyed. Thanks Dad.
Chelsea
As an ra patient myself I do understand your feelings but as a parent of two children that one day may face the same challenges I currently face, I see myself in your writing. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for caring.
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