Rachel Donnelly – Can’t break the chains, but the chains won’t break me
Name of Artist – Rachel Donnelly
Title of Piece - Can’t break the chains, but the chains won’t break me
About the Piece - In my picture my legs are chained together, because for me, this is how my condition makes my legs feel a lot of the time, like they are locked together, the chains symbolise my restricted movement, not so much for my hips now, but more for my knees and ankles.
Although on first look, the picture looks bleak, I do want to say that I am not defeated by what is happening to me, the chains will always be there I know, and even if the condition takes my knees and ankles too, it doesn’t matter, I will keep looking forward, no matter how difficult it becomes, how frustrated I get or how upset I may look, I will keep looking forward, I will not focus on the chains, they do not run my life. This is how I know that I am strong.
About the Artist - I had my partner shoot my piece for me and at this stage I am an amateur photographer.
My chronic pain comes from a condition that I’ve lived with for twenty years, I am twenty six now and when I was six I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which has affected every joint in my body. Due to the aggressive nature of my condition, over the years I have dealt with chronic pain, very limited joint movement, over all body stiffness and deformity in several joints. My condition has caused me the most pain in my hips, knees and ankles, as a result of this I was in a wheelchair on and off for most of my childhood and at age fourteen I had both of my hip joints replaced.
I was recently diagnosed with arthritis at 15. Your story is inspirational I hope I can be as strong as you.
October 3, 2011 at 5:17 pm
What an incredible young women you are! You are so brave and an inspiration to so many I am sure. Thank you for sharing your courage! Wishing you love always xxx
October 1, 2011 at 10:03 am
Thanks everyone for all your support and kind words, it means alot
September 30, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Well done Rachel
September 29, 2011 at 7:55 am
Thank you!
September 30, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Hi Rachel, awesome photos, Abby was 2 when diagnosed and is now nearly 6 and just in remission. I pray that she doesnt have to go through what you have. Well done – your title says it all…… Good luck!!
September 27, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Amazing story that you have lived with pain for so long. I hope that you get some relief! People like me that don’t have pain (other than on occasion) have no idea what it is like for people like you. Bless.
September 26, 2011 at 3:28 pm
My daughter is five and has had Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis since she was 2 and a half. Good luck your photos are amazing.
September 26, 2011 at 11:10 am
Great photos.
September 22, 2011 at 12:49 pm
September 19, 2011 at 9:16 pm
you deserve to win x
September 19, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Your beautiful beyond belief. <3
September 19, 2011 at 9:02 pm
I just read this piece, and it moved me! Beautiful writing, beautiful woman. xoxo
September 19, 2011 at 7:17 pm