Arthritis in the News

The subject of arthritis has been noticeably present in much that I've read recently, in publications ranging from New York Times to Rolling Stone magazine (no, I do not purchase the latter, but my brother drew my attention to a particular article he had perused). Of course, there are the usual articles on new drug approvals and creakyjoints a-games in the news, but I'm particularly interested in the casual mention of arthritis within a greater context or story--because we all have a story that is greater than our arthritis. Taking cues from the following tales, we persevere. Hodie non cras, I always say ("Today, not tomorrow").

In the New York Times the other day, Alan Feuer wrote a terrific article, "Keeping Old Age at Bay, With a Broomstick," which discusses a Bronx stickball team's weekend rendezvous. Somewhat mundane, you might say. But the answering machine message that Feuer received regarding the games, is intriguing:

"John Stephens from the Stickball Old-Timers here. Just wanted to let you know that on Sundays, all through winter, we'll be playing ball from 9 to 12 up in the Roosevelt High School schoolyard with all the guys from the old days, playing the old way, pitching the ball in on the bounce. We get 20 or 30 guys, and it might be interesting for your good self to catch us while we're still alive."

As you might be able to glean from the ominous but humorous latter part of the message, what makes the stickball team rather extraordinary is the "old-timers" from the "old days," "playing the old way," despite creaky joints, despite arthritis. These are not 40- or even 60-year olds reliving their glory days. The majority of the Stickball Old-Timers are over the age of 75; the pitcher, who is 84, comments in the article that the games keep him moving and keep his arthritis at bay. Though this kind of exertion is not ideal for everyone (I would be a sore dog the next day!), it's an inspiring reminder to stay active in whatever ways we can. The other day I heralded one of my compatriots walking creakily but determinedly up a makeshift ramp into the back of a station wagon.

The same day's paper featured a (less than positive) review of "Etoiles: Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet" by Stephen Holden. The new film offers a backstage perspective on the art form of transforming limitless effort into the appearance of the opposite. And in a sense, that's what arthritis can be on a daily basis, working extremely hard at walking, jogging, swimming, or lifting a teacup (getting down to the water bowl is trying, too), to exude normalcy--to exude effortlessness.

But what struck me about the article was an interview with a former ballerina, who retired at the requisite age of 40. Once she stopped all of her intensive training and grueling conditioning, arthritis overtook her joints. That must feel like true betrayal to someone who has manipulated her body to radiate grace and success, used her body effectively and expressively, for so many years. Similarly, the last issue of Rolling Stone featured an arthritic Keith Richards, the guitarist from The Rolling Stones. Richards' arthritis is likewise centered where he performs--in his fingers. But the band plays on.

Finally, in a figurative, rather than literal, reference to arthritis, this past weekend's Times magazine included an article on animal rights, "An Animal's Place," written by Michael Pollan. You might assume I'm sneaking this seemingly-irrelevant-to- arthritis topic in to serve my own agenda, but no. Pollan discusses Peter Singer's latest book, Animal Liberation, and Singer's argument that humans' treatment of animals (in particular, pigs, cows, chickens--ones most often eaten) is indecent, inhumane, and just as offensive as racism or anti-semitism.

How is the vegetarian argument relevant to arthritis? It is in the following excerpted rumination by Pollan: "Take the premise of equality, which most people readily accept. Yet what do we really mean by it? People are not, as a matter of fact, equal at all -- some are smarter than others, better looking, more gifted. 'Equality is a moral idea,' Singer points out, 'not an assertion of fact.' The moral idea is that everyone's interests ought to receive equal consideration, regardless of 'what abilities they may possess.'" Reading this brought arthritis and other disabilities to mind in terms of how we in the arthritis club perceive ourselves--as equals? Eleanor Roosevelt once declared, "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." Fortunately for you and me, we are not the chickens at Perdue Farms; we have rights and we have a voice (though you may not always understand mine). *

It is appropriate to read about arthritis in the greater context of life, rather than the sub-sub-focus of a creaky joint itself and its treatments, because the disease is not isolated. We are not all together on a medical island. Rereading this, your loyal dog has perhaps combined rather disparate and disjointed components of the arthritic nature. But somehow, it is a relief to see whatever our perceived weaknesses may be in the news, in the everyday. Therein lies a brand of compassion, identity, and self-affirmation.

*Singer also notes that many dogs receive Christmas presents. Please keep this in mind this holiday season.