Arthritis, emotions, education, employment, and me
- Written by: Stacey Highfield —
- Published: 31st May 2017
Stacey shares her experience of psoriatic arthritis, it's emotional impact and her journey into work.
Stacey spoke at the ALLIANCE annual conference on 30 May 2017, and her opinion coincides with the publication of the Arthritis and Work survey, a joint survey carried out by Arthritis Care Scotland and Glasgow University.
What do you visualise when you hear someone saying they have arthritis?
You may imagine an elderly person who’s lived a long life, not a 29 year old woman, who’s been living with Psoriatic Arthritis for 14 years? Spending the past 5 years of it in a wheelchair, who lost their job at 23 years, due to progression of her condition? Well that’s the reality of life for me since I was 15 years old!
The Arthritis and Work survey carried out by Glasgow University, highlights the impact of arthritis on work and the reality of living daily with pain, fatigue and disability. This report reflects how arthritis has impacted on me and many people living with a fluctuating condition.
With both my school and college education affected by the pain, fatigue and limitations I was experiencing, I was further devastated now to realise that I had no choice but to leave my job. Working in a pub meant I was on my feet all day, being physically demanding job, I had to admit that I now wasn’t able to do it.
Taking this decision was huge, the build up to it, physically and emotionally, was extremely difficult, there are many different issues that come up when your condition starts to affect your future. There’s a lot of anxiety, stress, shame and frustration when you find yourself starting to struggle to do things you have previously done with ease.
You then think that you have two options; you either tell your boss and fear that you may lose your job, or you hide it and fear you may come across as incompetent; either way you may lose your job anyway.
I spent many months struggling, not really knowing what to do about it or where to go for help and advice. This takes a huge toll on you mentally, you are in a constant state of worry about your condition, will you keep your job, or get another job? You wonder what happens if you lose your job, how you will cope on benefits, or even if you will get benefits, and how this will affect your live and relationships with people around you.
Like many people who live with a long term condition such as arthritis, I have had very little support to help me plan a career and future working life while living with a long term condition. Recently I have had support from Arthritis Care to build my confidence and skills, I was able to get help to return to work through their Joint Working service, almost 6 years since I lost my job. I am now in a placement that allows me to manage my condition, test my stamina and capacity within work. This will enable me to make informed choices when moving back into the workplace. If I had the right support earlier, my life may have taken a different path.
End of page.
You may also like:
A new pilot project will see a Community Links Worker to be placed in an East End Glasgow high school.
Continue readingMarianne Tyler, Senior Development Officer for our Children and Young People Programme, reflects on 20 years of the ALLIANCE and GIRFEC.
Continue readingA child cannot truly feel safe in a school or community if they do not feel that they belong.
Continue readingFor 20 years, The ALLIANCE has listened to member voices to help protect and improve Scotland's care services.
Continue readingWith the ALISS Customisable Map Tool, organisations can share info about community resources in ways that work for the people they support.
Continue readingIrene Mackintosh, CEO at Mhor Collective shares highlights and hopes for rights in a digital age.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on the proposal to collapse Scotland's 14 regional health boards into two.
Continue readingWhen we listen to lived experience, we create better resources, challenge assumptions and help create safer communities for everyone.
Continue readingGozie reflects on supporting citizen engagement, digital inclusion and hopes for the future.
Continue readingDCP member and Project Co-ordinator Esther Misajel shares Pachedu's journey towards digital inclusion.
Continue readingChris Mackie, Director of Digital, reflects on what ALISS has achieved so far this year and shares what is still to come.
Continue readingAt the ALLIANCE and beyond, true and meaningful policy reform means turning people's experiences into lasting action on the ground.
Continue readingGLP-1s can transform health but without adequate wraparound support, weight loss may come at the cost of nutrition, muscle and wellbeing.
Continue readingSheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, is appealing for support for proposals to restrict tobacco, vapes and nicotine products.
Continue readingBilly McClean reflects on why SCIC26 offers a vital opportunity to learn together, share what works, and shape the future of integrated care
Continue readingTo mark the ALLIANCE's 20 year anniversary Paul Okroj reflects on the importance of supported self management.
Continue readingTo mark Scottish Learning Disability Week (7 - 13 September), Bruce Adamson reflects on this year's call to action.
Continue readingIn her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond reflects on the current state of social care in Scotland.
Continue readingKicking off September for the ALLIANCE's 20 year anniversary, Grace reflects on the Self Management Programme
Continue readingSara Redmond, ALLIANCE Chief Officer, on the priorities for 2026's Programme for Government.
Continue readingSandra Auld reflects on the ALLIANCE's people focused impact, collaboration, lived experience, campaigns and lasting change in Scotland.
Continue readingMark shares his experience with gambling harms, and how this intersected with the launch of the ALLIANCE's ScotRGH programme in 2020.
Continue readingProfessor Anna Glasier celebrates 20 years of the ALLIANCE and it's vital role in shaping the Women's Health Plan for Scotland.
Continue readingSara Redmond, ALLIANCE Chief Officer, on the challenges faced by community-led health organisations in delivering prevention.
Continue readingAnnie shares her experience of youth politics, and how SAFE has helped her make connections and makes sense of the world of politics.
Continue reading