I think my story can help people. Please read!

General
1

Hi Everyone

This post is for anyone who thinks that disease can only make your life worse. I want you to know that the good days are not all behind you. I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis in March 2010, twelve months after the first symptoms appeared. I was 36, happily married, employed, and the father of three children aged under 10. My diagnosis came so late that I had lost the ability to walk before a rheumatologist noticed the psoriasis in my scalp and made the connection.

After a year of methotrexate and other stomach-churning delights, I qualified for the biological drug infliximab. I've improved to the point that I can walk with a single crutch, can drive once or twice a week, and can sit up in a chair for about one hour at a time. My rheumatologist advises I may get a little better over time, but I am now on the strongest drugs and only time will tell. My employer had no real option but to replace me, so I found myself at home, unemployable, mostly unable to leave my house, and feeling like I had been unfairly robbed of my body and identity. A pretty big cloud was hanging over me, but I couldn't see my silver lining.

I began writing fiction again as a distraction. I started with a thriller. I'd always enjoyed writing short stories, and I could write lying down on my side (minimal stress on my damaged joints). My old work friends visited me monthly for two years. They encouraged me to have my book professionally edited, proof-read, given a proper cover and then sold on Amazon as an eBook. I was uncertain, but they assured me that lots of people were reading books on Kindles and iPads and iPhones and all kinds of devices.

Well, I did. I had nothing to lose. And to my amazement the books started selling. I have received a paycheck (small, but a start) from Amazon every month since I started selling online.

I am now a published novelist. More importantly, however, I've found a network of people who read my book and left comments. At the time of this writing, forty-six people had taken the time to post me a message online saying they enjoyed the book and wanted more. Here’s the proof – http://tiny.cc/ibuucw

I look on this as a new chance. A new career path. FINALLY - something that I can do. Something the disease can't stop. In fact, it was the disease that gave me the time to explore this dream. When family and friends ask me, 'How are you now, Shane?', I don't talk about my illness anymore, I talk about my writing. My silver lining is quickly turning into my new identity. I'm looking forward to the future again now. I think that some of my best days are ahead of me.

If this has helped anyone at all, let me know. I'd like to think I gave someone some encouragement.
Best,
Shane
www.shanembrown.com

2

Thanks for posting, Shane! It's always wonderful to hear people's experiences of finding what works for them and makes their life joyful as they live with psoriatic arthritis!

3

That's wonderful! I have a friend with CFS and Fibro who can't work (she's only 27), and has taken up writing as something she can do. She's finishing up her young adult novel this month.

Did you know the author of the award winning Seabiscuit has CFS and could only write in small bits when she was able? It took her a decade (I think) to write the book. But she did, and it was a bestseller and made into a hit movie. She took another many years to write Unbroken, which is also a bestseller.

A friend of mine who has many health issues and was unable to contribute to the household income decided to take her knitting expertise to design patterns. She has a small but meaningful income from her patterns selling on Ravelry, and her designs have been published in some knitwear magazines. She also writes book reviews for Fresh Fiction. They send her free books, she reads them, and gets to resell the books.

Shane, thanks for sharing your story.

BTW, just hopped over to Amazon, I'm going to purchase your book it looks like a great read! I bought a Kindle and mostly enjoy reading eBook only little known authors on it :)

4

Dang...... I'm a NOOK person (JK) Congrats!!!!!

BTW write this story......

5

Shane, happy for you, you found your calling and your passion. Great job! I am totally new to this disease, as a matter of fact only 3 day old diagnosis. But I am glad I found this site. Blessings

6

That’s fantastic! This is the second time in my life that I have been sidelined by health problems. The first time I changed careers after being on disability and then going back to school in my mid-20’s. This time I have been enjoying my career as a stay at home mom, and work part time from home.

So glad that you have been able to find your voice doing something that you love!

7

I just took a look at your books, and think I HAVE to pick these up. Thanks for sharing.

8

Wow - I'm really glad to see other replies where people have just adapted their lives and are making the best of what they've got. I'm sure there are many, many people like that, but I think too few of them share their experience, and hence when you visit the internet looking for information about your disease you mostly find scary stories from people at their lowest point. That was my experience anyway. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. It made it worth sharing.

Best

Shane

9

Shane, 80% through your 1st book, FAST. I love it! SO much more polished than most self published eBooks. Please post an update whenever you publish something else. I've got your 2 others to read after this. Love to read and love to support a fellow person with PsA.