I was referred to counselling by local autoimmune arthritis charity, ‘Without Wings,’ to help me come to terms with a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2016. The support I have been given has been life changing and I am incredibly grateful that I have been able to access this incredible service. I have been supported to fully understand and research my condition. I have been given help to understand what it means, how to manage the varying levels of pain and how not to define myself by the limitations of an illness.