are there any moms with a disability and or arthritis?

Tracy - posted on 11/06/2011

Katherine;
Our Heavenly Father only expect us to try and do our best. We have to remember that we are all unique and have different skills, abilities and limitations. However, there are tremendous blessings in following the commandments no matter how hard it may be at times to follow them. I know that when i am living my life according to the scriptures, everything else seems better. Heavenly Father loves us no matter who we are or what we do and He is there to support us and help us become better. Hang in there!

Tracy - posted on 11/06/2011

Katherine;
Our Heavenly Father only expect us to try and do our best. We have to remember that we are all unique and have different skills, abilities and limitations. However, there are tremendous blessings in following the commandments no matter how hard it may be at times to follow them. I know that when i am living my life according to the scriptures, everything else seems better. Heavenly Father loves us no matter who we are or what we do and He is there to support us and help us become better. Hang in there!

Jaime - posted on 10/25/2011

I was diagnosed with arthritis when I was 9 from my hips down. Most of my pain is in my knees and ankles. I also have an anxiety disorder and OCD, which does make a marriage a little more difficult but we have been doing well so far. Expecting our third in December.

Sarah - posted on 08/21/2011

hey I have a learning disability, ADD, social anziety, and depression I sometimes feel like I shouldn't be having a 3rd kid but I always wanted to be amommy and I try my best and my oldest son is gobal developmentally delayed

Jennifer - posted on 06/30/2011

It doesn't help that I second guess myself! Somedays, I'm just fine and other days I'm down for the count. It was really bad before I was diagnosed, because my docs were saying that there wasn't anything wrong with me! My husband chose to believe the docs instead of me and it really was hard on our marriage. Now that he knows I'm not a big faker, he's super supportive. ;)

Tracey - posted on 06/30/2011

I truly understand what you mean, because I have the problem, alot of my family, don't understand or don't beleave me.....

Jennifer - posted on 06/30/2011

I'm a mormon mommy with fibromyalgia. My husband and I have 4 kids and it was really hard when they were little. They're older now (9-14), but it's still a challenge! Especially with their dad in the Army. Good luck, sweetie!

Tracey - posted on 06/27/2011

yes, add me as a friend and I'll be happy to talk with you Kara

Katherine - posted on 05/31/2011

Tracy, the one thing that I hear that gives me comfort is that God gives trials to those he loves best. I don't know why, maybe he knows we're strong enough to handle it.
I live with bipolar disorder and some anxiety in one form or another. My biggest trial is needing to know if my "best" is good enough for Heavenly Father. Because of my disorder, I find myself doing things that don't follow the commandments and I need to know that Heavenly Father knows that I am trying so hard to be what he wants me to be. Do I have to be as perfect as someone who doesn't have my disorder if I am trying my best to be good?

Tracy - posted on 04/25/2011

I have Degenerative disc disease - in both the low back which has been fused and the mid back all from an accident in Dec 1998. I suffer from chronic pain and depression. Mom of 4 kids, a primary teacher, wife and attorney who tries to work part time. I don't know why all this happened to me but I know the Lord loves me and does support me as I have seen his support in so many ways including helping me with church callings when I thought I couldn't go on.

Alina - posted on 12/11/2009

ya, i have fibromyalgia. and im pregnant to boot! lol.

Annette - posted on 11/27/2009

Hi , I am a mom with moderate cerebral palsy and athritis. I have three children ages 19,14 and 8. The boys have ADHD and the middle child has a form of autism.

CuQee - posted on 09/08/2009

I have lupus, M.S. , degenerative disc disease in my neck, pernicious anemia, peripheral neuropathy, optic neuritis in my right eye, terrible asthma, and as we speak I'm waiting to be taken out to the ' north forty' and SHOT !! ( They shoot horses, don't they ? ;)) J/K...........If ya ever want someone to talk to, hit me up. We can at least cry together & send each other hugs !!

Melanie - posted on 03/30/2009

Hi there! Pregnant, insulin-dependent Diabetic with heart valve regurgitation here!! I know it can be so tempting to succumb to our challenges every now and then. (I loathe shots!!) However, one thing that gets me through is to remember that Heavenly Father won't give me any challenges that he doesn't know I can handle. My son was born with Neonatal Diabetes (also insulin-dependent) and after giving that sweet 4 pound baby boy shots 8 times a day for 4 months, I prayed desperately that it be taken from him, even if I had to be the one to endure it. Sure enough, he went off insulin and his blood sugars regulated at 6 months old. And sure enough, I became the one to have to endure. It's such a blessing that my son no longer has to suffer! I would endure all my hardships and more for my children. Just having a smile or a hug from them makes it all worth it. We with challenges simply have to pay more attention to the positives in our lives and less attention to the negatives. :)
~Melanie

Anita - posted on 03/23/2009

I have neurofibromatosis,epilepsy,type II diabetis, tumor in the brain and am slowly going blind

Marie - posted on 02/24/2009

I'm sorry :(
I've been taking an iron supplement daily since I gave birth to my son because I seem to always be borderline anemic. and yet I'm still always exhausted...

Kara - posted on 02/24/2009

how ironic. i have a vitamin d defincy, which has contrubited to a z score ostoprosis.

and i just found out i'm anemic too.

Bonnie - posted on 02/15/2009

So, so happy to hear you are doing a little better.  You know what is most precious in life.  So sweet!

Marie - posted on 02/15/2009

Things have been better since I last posted. Though it's still hard for me to deal with my father's death, especially since he died from the same disease I have, my days are happier. My son is my joy and I try to make the most of my time with him!

Bonnie - I so wish I could go tanning for like five minutes everyday! I did that for a month before I got married and it was SO nice. I can't wait for it to warm up where I live so I can take my son to the park and enjoy the sunshine. :)

Bonnie - posted on 02/15/2009

Louisa, you rock!  You ladies are all just sweethearts, and that goes for Kara, too.

Bonnie - posted on 02/15/2009

Hi, 41 year old mother of 4 here!   OK, first thing you need to know is I can get a bit silly, but it helps to laugh, so my qestion to you is, "What your deal, Gimpy?  I mean, Kara!"   

I have fibromyalgia.  Have a hefty calling and since called, haven't made room for exercise.  Naughty!  When I do, my fibro is greatly eased, but for my neck.  2 years ago I lost 30 pounds and have since gained  back 20.    8(     I feel so much better when I am not packing around the extra weight.  Right now, I houseclean for extra $, so while that does give me a little exercise, it is hard on the bod. 

Kara, priesthood blessings really are a great comfort, aren't they?  Disabilities can be painful, and pain can cause depression, but if you can keep hope and purpose in your life by doing the truly important things like praying, reading scriptures, temple attendance (and I have to chart them so I can see how well I am doing keeping it up, then if I slack off, I have a visual que to step it up,) then life truly takes on a sweet peace and comforting pace that carries me through little storms, and big ones, that we all know inevitably come.

Marie, I hope you heard that, because depression can rob us of any ambition to try.  I try, and hope you will, get just a little spiritual light everyday, and physical sunshine (10-15 minutes of exposed face and arms restores depleted Vit D, WITHOUT sunscreen. . .I know, I know. . .  between 10am and 4pm.)  In the winter, I go out in long johns and a wool sweater, and sit on my porch swing and read, or warm up a little then stretch.  Tai Chi is sooooooooo relaxing.

I really struggle with depression, too, but it is so much harder in the winter.  I'll tell you, you posted this at the height of the shortest days of the whole year!!  My dear, laughing is what you need, everyday, and very possibly some Vit. D or slow release iron if your energy is low.   Simple blood tests can reveal if you have deficiencies in either of those.

Well, Kara, I am very sorry for your struggles, and all I know is what the brethren have taught us:  that things mostly happen for reasons known to God, and have encouraged us to replace why me, with "what can I learn from this?"   You could throw that little phrase into the search conference talks box on the church's website and it would pull that talk up for you to read and draw strength from.  You are going to make it, and your children will admire how bravely you're enduring.

Kara - posted on 01/28/2009

thankyou ladies.it is so helpful to know i'm not alone. i' have a rare disease called distal arthrogryposis type 1 A, which has caused severe arthritis. my joints have started to fuse mainly my hips and pelvis, which makes it hard to walk. i have also had many sugeries. i have a hard time getting out of bed each day. i am greatful for a patient and loving husband who gives me priesthood blessings on a regular basis. i try to praise myself for the little things i do accomplish. thanks again. i would love more advice anyone has to offer.

Louisa - posted on 01/28/2009

I have reumatiod arthritis and have lost my left eye, I have also suffered from depression inthe past. I have had times before when I have found it hard to have my faith the way I should. But after the events that happened in my life last year I realise there is a plan and reason for everything. This is because I know now looking back on things that if I hadn't had to struggle through the hardships these things have brought me in my life (i've had the arthritis since I was born and lost my eye at 10 months) I would never have had the strength to get through the last year. And I definatley wouldn't have had the strength to help my kids and my husband through it. I still sometimes have days where I don't feel so strong and I wish it was all happening to someone else but I know that I am a stronger, better person for having had these things.

Jen - posted on 12/12/2008

Marie,

I have struggled with clinical depression and anxiety attacks since I was 5 years old; it pre-dates my physical disability by 27 years. Along with that I have a condition that prevents me from being able to recall words or facts, and sometimes I have trouble even putting words together into sentences.

It is hard for me to pray when I can not even think straight.

The one thing I try to always remember is that ALL of us are made in Heavenly Father's image - that means even those of us who have a chemical malfunction in our brains or a problem with our bodies.

I don't know why I was born with the tendancy for clinical depression and anxiety; I also do not know why my immune system started attacking my body when I was 32 - I do know, however, that Heavenly Father has a plan for me that I will not know on this side of the veil...

Several years ago I put together a notebook with pictures, cards from friends, and anything else that makes me happy and reminds me that I am loved. When I struggle I pull out my notebook and look everything over. It reminds me that even though I have problems that make it hard for me to maintain friendships or to take care of my home the way I would wish to that obviously there are some people that see something of worth within me - and if other people can love me then our Father in Heaven must feel that I have worth too.

Many people have "invisible" disabilities and feel that it is harder because others do not see the outward signs such as a wheelchair or cane. Try to remember that your depression is no less valid than a wheelchair.

Pleas contact me if you need to talk to someone.

Jen

jen.queenofchaos@gmail.com

Marie - posted on 12/12/2008

I suffer from clinical depression and have been struggling to have faith and trust in Heavenly Father lately. Sometimes I would give anything to have a physical disability instead of this brain disease that took my father's life this summer. How do you (anyone) keep your faith and trust in Heavenly Father when you have struggles like these?

Jen - posted on 12/11/2008

Hi Kara,

I have an auto immune disorder that has caused small nerve fiber neuropathy - which caused fibromyalgia. I also have severe cognative difficulties related to my illness.

Some friends and I run an online support group for people with chronic pain.

I think it can be very challenging to have a chronic illness while raising children. It can also be hard as a member of the church sometimes since people want to be sympathetic but they expect you to "get better" at some point.

I am here if you need to talk.

Jen Thomas

Melanie - posted on 12/09/2008

Hi Kara!



I have degenerative osteoarthritis as well as bipolar disorder. I also care for my family (husband and two sons), each who suffer from mental illness.



There are some days all I want to do is lay on the sofa with the heating pad, my blanket and bottle of Vicodin. I was inactive for several years, and during that time also self-medicated with alcohol for the pain. I'm happy to say I've been sober for almost a year, and during that time I was sealed to my parents in the Redlands temple and my youngest son was baptized. We make it to church most weeks, and I have several [small] callings. I do the Primary newsletter each month, make bookmarks for the RS each month, and serve as the ward "photo historian" on the Activities Committee--I show up to every event, take a ton of pictures and find a way to publish them. I try to help out in other ways where I can as well.



Where do you live? I live in Southern California, and it is just starting to get cold. The barometer has been going up and down, which is almost worse than just getting cold and staying there. What kind of activities do you do?



I'm in school and have to get back to homework (I have finals next week!), but I look forward to staying in contact with you!



Melanie Carlson