Golden Glove Winner – I Will Not Be Knockout

My life has been one of difficulty, sufferings, rough places due to my psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There were times when I thought I was tough. I didn’t have a clue what tough really looked like. My disease showed up out of nowhere. There have been numerous moments when I felt that I deserved a golden glove award. I have stood through some tough times and I believe even a prized fighter may not have had the resilience to endure. My courage has and continues to be one thing that makes me stronger each and every day.

Beat down

Yes, I've felt the hardness of my joints stiffening up and the pain that lets you know you are dealing with a real disease. Yet through the daring days, my resiliency keeps me in the fight. I won't be beaten down, knocked out, or just throw in the towel. Yes, often I wonder, can I make it through the day and I know that I’m in it to win it. Where do I gather the strength, stamina or willpower? I’m glad you asked. My purpose as a golden glove is who I am. I am a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, niece and friend. I won’t let my symptoms beat me down.

Staying in the Ring

With tears of emotions I will not allow psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to take me out. Yes, my symptoms are getting worse and the pain is daily. My spine has started giving me problems to the point where I can’t get out of bed some days. It hurts so bad that I can't move. Oh yes, I know what’s it is to be up against an opponent and you have to let them know; you will not move me out of this ring. I fight my disease every single day. I don’t know from day to day, how this disease will take me down, but I do know that I will stay in the ring. It could be a new medication or changes in my lifestyle. I will win.

Undefeated Champion

At the end of the day, my resilience is made up of toughness and courage. I'm a fighter, I can't quit, can't give up, can't give in. I will endure. This doesn’t mean it’s not difficult, it doesn’t mean it's not hard. It means that no matter the suffering, pain, and heartache - I still have to deal with my illness. I consider myself to be an undefeated champion. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis will not win with me. I will be the Golden Glove winner and survivor of this lifelong disease. When I come to that place of giving my title away, then I will no doubt know I've been defeated. However, I take great strides to stand strong, be courageous, be victorious and continue to speak out and encourage people. If I can be a winner, so can you. This disease is not my identity.

I'm bigger than Psoriasis

I share these diseases with others so I know what we are going through and make others aware of what we all go through. I'm bigger than this disease. We all have our battles in life and I have mine. My disease has been one that I continue to deal with. I fight this disease by exposing it, how it tries to take over my body and how it wants to shame me and embarrass me on most days. Yes, I’m bigger than it will ever be and so are you.

Let’s not let psoriasis beat us down.