Hi everyone,
I decided earlier this year to undertake a major challenge for someone with RA...to climb Kilimanjaro!!
I was diagnosed with RA in January 2006 and at the moment it's fairly calm, at least calm enough to allow me to exercise and think about doing such a madcap venture.
I began training slowly in January this year by rejoining my local gym and starting cardio and some weight training. Once I was signed up to do Kilimanjaro then the training began in earnest. So far I've been doing it for almost 3 months.At first I was resting 3 days a week and doing cardio for 90 mins on one day followed by a rest day then 45mins the next day plus weight training, then a rest day etc...once a week I had to hike for 4 hours.
Now I'm doing one day of cardio for 120mins, the next is 60 mins cardio plus weights etc with just two days of rest. Soon it'll be more plus a hike of 9 hours once a week!!
Hard to think that a year and a half ago I couldn't walk without using sticks and my boyfriend had to help me get out of bed...Those day are behind me , for the moment, at least until my return from Kilimanajaro.
Why am I doing this you ask? Well, to raise awareness, as a personal physical and mental challenge, to show other RAers that life need not stop with RA and of course to raise funds to finance research into ALL types of arthritis. I will be doing this to raise money for ARTHRITIS RESEARCH UK and I need to raise £3400.
I have a justgiving page which is justgiving.com/Joanna-Dawson0 and also a blog so you can 'do' the trek with me, JoannaTreksKilimanjaro.blog...
If you can help me raise the amount then please do , also pass the message on to others as a way of showing that even with RA we can still move!
We are launching our Mental Health & RA Report in Parliament next month and would appreciate your help!
What if the RA is not RA?
I'm new here, but not new to RA. It has been 54 yrs. I have been dealing with RA. Since 16 I have had treatments, love to talk with others.
Calling all Rheumatoid arthritis warriors 
