Kathleen Turner on Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Washington Post has an interview with Kathleen Turner, "Arthritis won't take center stage: actress Turner".

I was directed to this interview by someone on the Arthritis Foundation community bulletin boards. Everyone was very happy that Rheumatoid Arthritis was getting publicity. It's great that famous people with illnesses speak out for further action and awareness(Kathleen Turner, Michael J. Fox), but one part of the interview really stuck out:

I think if I were ever to have acute relapse again, I think that would make me suicidal.

This really bothered me. It makes people with RA (and by association other types of arthritis) seem weak and people to be pitied. There are enough battles to fight with arthritis: awareness, specifically. Most people, upon hearing that you have arthritis, say "Oh, yeah, I have arthritis in my knees too. Big deal".

I believe that Kathleen Turner's efforts would have been better spent discussing RA and how it affects the lives of those diagnosed with the disease.