Living with Osteoarthritis - Ruth Mann's story
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- čas přidán 6. 12. 2021
- For three decades, viola player Ruth Mann entertained audiences in Ireland and around the world as a member of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the BBC Northern Ireland Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra. Being a professional musician was a career, but it was a lot more than that; playing music was her great love.
However, during the last 10 years of her playing life, Ruth experienced the devastating effects of osteoarthritis (OA) in her neck and hips. Her neck would seize up, she would ‘feel sick with the pain’, until finally she just couldn’t move her neck at all. The arthritis in her hips eventually got so bad that she had to use a wheelchair to get round. After numerous x-rays, tests and visits to doctors and surgeons, Ruth had to retire. ‘A career you really love - and a life - just gone. That wasn’t in the script,’ she says. She was 53.
After retiring, Ruth had both hips replaced and slowly started to build a new life. The Living Well with Arthritis self-management course was a game-changer. She took up new hobbies and had more time for old passions: yoga, painting, birdwatching, walking and gardening.
Looking back, Ruth says, ‘Life started anew. I learned I could do other things. There’s still a lot to learn though.’
To read more about Ruth’s story visit the Arthritis Ireland website, www.arthritisireland.ie. Further information about OA and support is available on the website and via the helpline, 0818 252 846.
This video was developed as part of the #BePrOActive campaign, which is supported by Pfizer, Grünenthal, FlexiSeq and the Sports Surgery Clinic, Dublin.
#ArthritisIreland #osteoarthritis
I'm glad you started life anew and have turned your marvellous creativity to other things😊💯
Thank you for sharing your story. Acceptance and adaptation to the new life is not easy. I am in that process. I love how you say “ I have OA, OA does not have me”. You are inspiring. I am in the grief acceptance period as I can’t work anymore and needing a walker or cane at 40’s is hard mentally, but working on not letting the condition and daily pain control me. Life has many daily gifts to be grateful for. ❤
Thank you for sharing dear, I have OA also your video helped me I hope your still staying positive kind regards
Thank you for posting this.
Thank you ,Ruth for such a hopeful outlook
OA takes away the things that give us joy, I used to love to run..I've had one hip and a knee replaced working on my second knee..hopefully can go on walks again.
Hope you have a wonderful, life affirming, and healthy New Year, Ruth. 🙂
very interesting indeed.
Yes. And what do we do, in this health system, where doctors just try to get people out of the clinic as quick as possible. I have struggled a year to even get a diagnosis, never mind getting any help. "Yeah you're old eh, do some stretches ok bye!"
I am much, much younger, and get no accommodation or help from OA. OA has me and I've been bullied by able-bodied older people into doing things they can do, that I cannot do.
How old are you?, I’m 18 and I have it
@@mr.blueshyguy3408 near your age...where r u located?