How My Body Speaks, About Expressing My (K)needs.

As a result of my RA, there is inflammation, immobility, and loss of circulation in every joint in my body, as well as my muscles and connective tissues.

But it would be safe to say that, of all the parts of my body, my knees are the most…the most sharply painful, most swollen and stiff and aching.

The most communicative, in fact.

“I can see how meeting the (k)need led to a different physical result - cognition meeting sensation. ”

When I was little, I was NOT encouraged to express a need, or any messy feelings, like rage or hurt; the expression of which my knees, apparently, have taken over.

They stiffen or get more painful to reflect my anger, fear, or sadness.

One afternoon, during SPRe training, I actually vocalized how an experience made me feel, requested something different, and I was acknowledged!

The next morning, walking to class, I realized that, for the first time in years, I could actually see the faint outline of my kneecaps. My knees had completely changed shape.

New things can happen when cognition meets sensation!

And that’s how my body spoke, when I finally expressed myself.

Since then, it's happened many times; I ask for - and get - help, and my knees continue to change shape and ability to function.

Literally, I can see how meeting the (k)need led to a different physical result - cognition meeting sensation.

Where do your needs show up?