The pain, fatigue, and malaise of RA can be completely overwhelming. It can keep us from working, going out with family or friends, or simply stop us dead in our tracks. How was the beloved Impressionist Pierre-August Renoir, who had severe, disabling RA during the last 20 years of his long life, able to keep on? His art–and with the power of distraction.
Read about how Renoir’s drive and courage can apply to our own lives with RA in my latest post at RheumatoidArthritis.net.
RheumaBlog 
Excellent post, Wren. I’d read about Renoir having his brushes attached to his hands so he could paint. How sad, but how wonderful that he didn’t let the pain stop him from doing what he wanted and needed to. An example for us all.
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Excellent – that’s been my attitude for ages too – when people say things like, ‘Oh you must watch xyz, such a great movie, made me cry buckets’ I think ‘Why bother? Life throws up enough of that. I’d rather watch/make/do/walk through something beautiful!’ 🙂 Hurrah for Renoir coming first and putting it so much better, in spite of his troubles!
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My distraction is writing. Even in the midst of flaring fingers, and painful joints, I can escape into the imagery of my words, poems and stories. A wonderful post Wren. Thank-you. 🙂
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I think it’s important that we all find our passions that allow us to escape from our symptoms. Sadly… mine is cleaning and organizing. Give me a room to organize and I’ll forget all about the pain I’m experiencing 😀
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sigh… I came here to tell you how much I enjoyed your post, but “forgot” to mention it in my first response. This is probably one of my favorite posts by you!
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