Patient Advocate, Why they are helpful | Arthritis Information

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When Help Is Important

“I see patients routinely in this situation, patients in their 30s and 40s who’ve been told by rheumatologists that they can no longer work and must get by on Social Security disability benefits,” Dr. Smith, 83, said in an interview. “I work with them to find specialists who can help them improve their situation, and I encourage them to take better care of themselves.

“Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are reluctant to have the surgery that can enable them to get back to work, or they don’t take their medication, or they fail to see the proper specialists.”

Dr. Smith outlined four situations that call for a patient advocate:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/health/27brod.html?_r=1&ref=health
Lynn492009-10-31 05:25:15[quote]

“Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are reluctant to have the surgery that can enable them to get back to work, or they don’t take their medication, or they fail to see the proper specialists.”[/quote]

This is an important read: all to often, or so it seems, people readily accept the disabled diagnosis (not only with RA) and in effect give up on being active, engaged, and effective in their own lives.

I remember Buckeye once saying (paraphrased) that at least some of us are capable of far more, physically and mentally, than we allow ourselves to "think" we are. That struck a very real chord with me.

Sometimes the "proper specialists" are psychologists or psychiatrists, occupation therapists, physical therapists and/or employment counselors.

To advocacy!

WE sell ourselves and our abilities way too short way too often.   I get so frustrated when I see people giving up on themselves or letting the RA win.  I see so many people who don't get second opinions, who don't go to physical therapy or occupational therapy.  I see far too many people who don't educate themselves on the disease and its treatments.  I see far too many people coming to a message board to ask questions they should have asked their doctors. I hate it when I see people who say they can't do something immediately rather than find some accomadation that will allow them to proceed. My least favorite excuse is " I'm afraid its going to hurt so I don't...." There are far too many people who use disability as a first resort not a last resort.    I still remeber a lady who wrote on a board (several years ago) that she had just been diagnosed with RA the week before and wanted to know if she should apply for disability...out of about 20 responses I was the only one who said no not yet...and I was lambasted for it.
 
RA is not a disease for the weak and wimpy...if hiring an advocate will help someone fight for themselves or force them to learn and take advantage of options that will improve their situation then I'm all for it...
[QUOTE=buckeye]...There are far too many people who use disability as a first resort not a last resort. [/QUOTE]
Well said and spot on.

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