Windy, I have been here 11/2 years and you have been so wonderful, with you kindness and knowledge. I would miss you a lot, in fact, KA wouldn't be the same. You need to do what is best for you. Only you can make that decision. You will be missed by many of us. Perhaps cemc is right about coming back after taking a break. Perhaps you can pop in every once in a while, just to say Hi.

Aww Wendy... I'd be so sad if you left. You know you've given me some critical life altering advice. Really. Think about it, you've changed my life - you've helped me so much. I shudder to think what I'd still be going through if you hadn't pointed me in the right direction.

You've helped me SO much, and helped so many others. Thank you so very much. If you left, I would really miss you, but I'd have to respect your decision. Perhaps just take a break from KA and then come back?

If you ever make it up north, please look me up.

Lots of hugs

Dear kind, sweet Wendy,

It has been almost 2 years since I 'stumbled' onto the KA website, lost and confused. Having just been diagnosed with scoliosis and with no provincial support group to assist me, I was really lost. You were one of the first KA members to welcome me to this website. I will never ever ever ever forget you.

Please don't leave KA. What would we all do without you? Wendy? I live in Canada, too. Fickle as life may be, it will always draw us back together.

Please stay just a little bit longer. Please?

I have eyelash tears on my shirt from crying.

Your Canadian friend always,
Angie

Wendy,

I've been hoping to talk you into staying for a long while now because I love that you are here and feel you belong with us. Not just for the hours you've dedicated in helping to run KA, (although that has been a blessing, you've been such a tremendous help, there are not words enough to thank you!) but because I knew long ago that you felt as I do about honouring those who brave the rigours and horrors of severe disease.

Back when Alan shared his own story on the osteotomy thread, I sensed how greatly his and Kevin's words affected you and knew that you really took it in. I adored you for that. I also knew from your words early on in your posting how severely you were affected too and imagined how encouraging it must have been for you, even as strong and determined as you are, to find others who inspired you with their spirit and ability to joke around, despite the pain.

RA and AS are not minor. It's not just an inconvenience. It is much more than just being about whether we can be the best we can be... It is very serious. If not for AS, I 'may have' been a mom. (I have trouble even typing that one.)

Going through life we meet up with all sorts of people who don't or can't appreciate what we're dealing with, and we get...'oh you have a bad back, ahhh me too, now let me tell you about my troubles.' Unintentional as it may be, I know the net affect on me is to feel more alone, like I am not being heard, or that others do not understand, or care, or see, or respect the fact that I've been fighting to survive. I probably shouldn't feel diminished but even now I still do sometimes. And I have had practice. Having this since 18, I've had loads of practice at ignoring those voices as they were the least of my worries. I just close them off, it's almost automatic. I know what I live with. Ok, if I am really honest, I tended to keep to myself more than was probably healthy because people who don't understand can be exhausting. I found a dear friend in Alan in no small part because I knew I could trust him if I opened up because I knew that he'd gone through far worse than I'd ever face.. and he was so calm about it. There are so many brave and quiet heroes in here.

It is discouraging when people seem disrespectful, I know. Wendy, Your fight cannot be diminished by anyone who hasn't walked in your shoes. This is another aspect, another of the challenges piled on top. You are newer, not only to the physical distress of suddenly being struck with severe disease yet fighting it like a veteran... but newer (relatively) to learning how to cope with the voices of those around us, some who relate, some who may think they do. some who will try their best and some who never will even if they wanted to.

I have someone in my life that (meaning no disrespect) asks me on a very regular basis (for the past 5 yrs), when I'll be able to stop going in for Remicade treatments. (sigh) Can't count how many times I've answered that one.

It's a marathon that I really hope KA can be here to support you through, if you feel that some of us can help. I'd like to in anyway that I can but even more, I want you to do whatever you feel helps you the most.

with love and hugs,
mig

I would write "Hooray for Mig", except that it would make me sound like Alan's nemesis...

*exactly* Mig - soooo well said!

I think that maybe Wendy needs to retitle her post "How RA has robbed me of so much in so little time..."

It is the overwhelmingly aggressive nature of the disease that a few here have that many others without considerable empathy or insight (or medical experience) will just never *get*...

It must be very hard for those so severely afflicted to sit here and watch the rest of us moan about what to us are *big issues* but for those few would be a mere hiccup...

I am humbly in awe of those who keep on keeping on despite almost insurmountable odds.

Oy.....Down with Mig



hooorayyyyyyyy



ahaaaaaaa

Just as I expected from the resident dissident and ...

Ahaaaaa.......me, a as if....lol


What time is it in Melbourne and are you as Pom really?

Right now the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is on the 10... and it is dark...

I am not really a Pom - but have come from Scots and Pommie stock - I am first generation Aussie - so, a *new Australian* in fact (although I think that's what my grandmother used to refer to the Italian immigrants as - in her broad Scottish brogue! )

Hence, why I understand what "great clot" and "miserable old git" means.

Great post Mig. (((HUGS))) lady.