A Lesson in Resiliency From My Emotional Support Animal
The year 2023 brought me into my 19th year of living with rheumatoid arthritis. I feel like rheumatoid arthritis has really sharpened my resiliency skills. Living with RA has strengthened my ability to bounce back after countless situations in my life.
However, even the most resilient person can find themselves having a hard time bouncing back from life circumstances and continual chronic medical conditions. This is where I was at the start of 2023. It was a little bit of a scary time for me because I am, by nature, a very optimistic and resilient person. However, that resiliency button was under repair in early January of last year.
I could not imagine my life without Hamlin
Then, one day in mid-January, I was rescued and provided with some furry support. It came in the form of a 5-pound, 4-month-old kitty named Hamlin.
Hamlin is a survivor. In his short 6 months of life before we met, he had endured a lot. Now, I could not imagine my life without him.
The many benefits of having an emotional support animal
Hamlin has endured many life and health hardships. However, despite it all, he has this unique fearlessness and quirky personality. Hamlin was the reminder I needed about the importance of moving forward despite the physical fatigue, emotional pain, and exhaustion of trying to live out my life with rheumatoid arthritis.
Here are just a few things my cat has taught me.
Move forward despite health challenges
From the moment I met Hamlin, he had this positive energy and zest for life. He is a little miracle, a fighter, a survivor, and a warrior. He battles every day just like his human mom does. All of us living with a chronic condition, like rheumatoid arthritis, warrior on forward, despite it all.
Always aim high
Hamlin, from the day I met him, was fearless. When we were getting to know each other in a meet-and-greet room, he climbed to the top of a nearly 7-foot-high cat tower. Yes, he faced many challenges with his visual deficits, but despite that, he went for it anyway.
Honestly, I needed to see that. I was in a place where I was feeling so beat down from living the daily grind of life and rheumatoid arthritis. I stopped looking forward and up. He taught me to take on my own lofty personal and health goals again. Yes, it will be challenging and exhausting, and at times I may feel defeated. However, he reminded me of the importance of always looking up.
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Hamlin often gets himself into some interesting situations. He’s super curious and fearless. For instance, when this little wonder climbed to the top of the super-tall cat tower, he did not know how to get down. So, what did he do? He meowed.
He seemed surprised by my response. I did not automatically pick him up. Living with functional limitations myself, I knew the importance of him learning through doing. That he did, and did well. He was able to come down from the tower with the help of visual and physical prompts and one of his cat toys. Hamlin was open to learning.
He reminded me how important it is to reach out for help when I need it. Living with a chronic condition has often left me feeling like I am a burden to other people. However, it is something I have been working on and will continue to work on.
Keep learning
Additionally, Hamlin reminded me of an important quality of those who are resilient: their willingness to learn. Living with chronic illness, we have had to learn how to navigate through the medical system, learn about medications, the disease process, etc. It is not an easy journey, but we do it. Thanks to communities like this, we are able to share our journeys and experiences with each other. Always so great to learn and grow with all of you.
Life lessons from our animals
I feel very blessed to have Hamlin in my life. He is such a great reminder to me of the importance of being resilient when living with a chronic condition.
I am curious if any of you in our community have been encouraged or reminded of a very important life lesson from a service, emotional support, or other animal in your life? Share a story in the comments below!
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