Friday, October 29, 2010

A Note From JP

I still don't know if I'm permanently coming back. Something happened today that reminded me of why I used to blog, and I'll share it with you.

A graduate student in my program just developed RA, and her advisor brought her to my office. I had never met another scientist with RA. I hugged her and cried. She was a first year graduate student and was worried she couldn't finish her doctorate because of RA. "You can! You can!" I said. "Once you get treatment, you'll be back in the lab. A little slower, but you can do it!" She and I talked for an hour about symptoms, meds, lifestyle changes, and everything else. This is really why I'm a professor now. I want to encourage and facilitate other scientists with disabilities to go after their dreams.

I have never felt so passionate about any cause before - people with RA can pursue their dreams, we just do it differently. We can do science just as good as anyone else. Don't let it get you down, don't let it stop you. Take care of your body first, and then go after what you want.

5 comments:

PUI prof said...

Hooray for many things including; 1. You're back (if only for a blip) and 2. the inspiration you were for that students and 3. the student gave you an affirmation of your gifts.

Anonymous said...

Please come back! We miss you.

Anonymous said...

Good to hear from you again JP

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad I stopped by and saw this today. My arthritis slows me down and makes me mad but it's not going to stop me from being a science professor, and it's great to hear that from you!

Anonymous said...

I have a scientist coworker who blogs about her experiences with RA (and many other things) here:
http://www.mendolo.com/2010/10/12/monsters/