RA as it was 80 odd years ago

[cathie]

openculture.com/2012/07/ast...

Someone showed me this on his facebook page and I thought some of you would be interested - esp Tilda perhaps. We dont have to suffer like this any more, but poor old Renoir did and made beautiful art.

[Hidden]

This is such moving footage. I have not seen such damaged hands for years. We are so very fortunate to be 21st century patients.

I am typing left handed, my right hand is in a pot, due to a tendon transfer operation, and I am so grateful to my surgeon.

[cathie]

I felt like you but didnt want to freak people out its entirely preventable isnt it

He mustve been a tough old bird i really admire him

[Hidden]

There is a TV interview with Dennis Potter (he of 'The Singing Detective') recorded in 1994 shortly before he died. He suffered from Psoriatic Arthritis and his hands were similarly deformed.

The Renoir footage is moving - I've seen photos of him but the film's more telling. x

[Hidden]

I was interested and moved thanks Cathie. Ive just been trying to draw, cut and stitch today with my left hand to try and take the strain off right side - not easy at all! Tilda x

[cathie]

I hope you feel a bit better soon, Tilda. I wonder whether the mtxate might take a few doses to get back its potency. I hope so.

[Hidden]

Thanks Cathie - this film is brilliant for flagging up RA and it's destructive potential rather than just endless leaflets and lectures. It should be screened maybe by NRAS during RA awareness week in June? In someways however, he looks happier for just being able to do what he loves (albeit with assistance) than some of us feel when zoned out on drug coctails so it's a balancing act. Tilda xx

[Oli-NRAS in reply to Hidden]

Good idea Tilda, we will see how it fits in with the week and our activities and go from there. Thanks

[miss]

Cathie thank you for posting that Renoir footage. He must have been amazing to be able to work like he did. Thank goodness for modern drugs !!!

[donnalouisec]

Wow, that brought tears to my eyes. What a guy ....

[earthwitch]

Amazing film. Looks like he has a fair degree of spinal arthritis too, from the very stiff movements in his chair. My mum was diagnosed with RA probably 70 years ago now (as a 13 year old), but was lucky enough to get the benefit of some of the more modern treatments as well as absolutely excellent physiotherapy from very early on, though she has missed out on anti-tnf treatment, and there wern't so many DMARDs available to her.

[allanah]

Thank you Cathie, my grandma and dad had this as they had no treatment, the other eight of us including one fourteen year old feel blessed to get all the help we do xxxxx

[cathie]

It's strongly in my family so I've seen my mother with claw like hands. And feet so bad she had a toe removed because of bunching. She had mtxate in the last few years of her life, but the damage had been done years ago.

[Dogrose]

So interesting, I paint though I have't for months now, I don't really feel moved to. I remember painting last year with shoulders so painful I had to lift my right arm up to the canvas with my left hand! xxx

[cathie]

Perhaps you could try painting on a table instead of at an easel? I'm doing a part time degree, and have to arrange things as to when I'm able. Quite a lot of smaller works on panel etc can be done easily seated at a table. I'm steeling myseslf to go back to life drawing. The teacher there didnt like it when I sat at the easel so I stopped going to those classes, but I might try it again.

[donnalouisec]

I was so intrigued I looked this artist up and one of his paintings sold in 1990 for 78 million dollars inNew York. And the larger version of the same painting has been valued at 110 million...,.

[cathie]

Yes he's really celebrated

[Hidden]

I recall Polly (Helihelix) putting up a post about Edward Burra and his long career as an artist despite RA suffering from childhood onwards. It does wonders for us all having these RA role models I feel. If NRAS are looking for someone a bit younger and more contemporary to represent RA then you could do worse than approaching the Turner prize nominated and celebrated Brit Artist Tacita Dean who is a known RAer? Tilda x

[cathie]

You're right i was trying to remember Burra's name. I'm a bit busy sending off some drawings but once that's done I might put together a message for NRAS suggesting a series about prominent people who have achieved despite RA. Without minimising it!

[Hidden]

Yes that's a great idea Cathie - especially if they are younger. I say Tacita because she has done a huge amount for pre-digital film and speaks about how her RA affects her re fatigue as well as having had a knee replacement - and for her it struck when still in her 20s while at art college.

I also think that Renoir's hands do pander to an idea people have of RA as an arthritis affecting older people primarily?

This film helps us as RAers as a reminder of why we should take the meds of course and but it doesn't convey how hard it is living with RA for us still in the here and now. For all that things are hugely improved in the main - there are areas such as the long term effects and side effects of medication which can affect some of us just as much as RA pain and disfigurement I feel. And there is no mention in the film text of how RA can affect the organs and blood and also make people feel grotty and depressed.

Just a thought but have you considered becoming an NRAS Scottish Ambassador? You would be very well placed what with living in Edinburgh and being bright as a button with an extensive knowledge of the disease. I know you are busy but I've just applied and we could be quite a pair I feel? Xxx

[cathie]

Great ideas about the younger people with RA

I might consider this if I knew what it involved. I'd like to put something back, and it'd be nice to work with you. But I'm submitting these drawings about 3 weeks late, which is no problem but suggests I need to get my act together more. I was actually writing something on my learning log to the tutor to explain about fatigue and RA and how it affects your work.

XX

[mary4444]

i just watched the video what a brave man it bought a smile to my face watching him puffing away he must have been in agony it certainly makes u think he never gave up xx