Living with arthritis often means confronting a sudden loss of mobility and independence, as Trish Barbato discovered when her active lifestyle was abruptly interrupted by severe joint pain.
A Sudden Diagnosis and Its Immediate Impact
Trish Barbato, president and CEO of Arthritis Society Canada, had always lived an active life. She traveled frequently between her home in Canada and Italy, worked out six days a week, and played golf up to 60 times annually. Her world shifted dramatically when hip pain struck, initially diagnosed as bone marrow edema. Within weeks, she was limping and eventually required assistive devices like a knee scooter and crutches.
Barbato’s annual plans collapsed. A long-awaited trip to Italy was canceled, and her mother-daughter excursion had to be called off when she could no longer carry luggage. “I just remember thinking, ‘Oh, wow. I’ve lost that forever, potentially,’” she said. End-stage osteoarthritis became her reality, stripping away the spontaneity she once enjoyed.
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The chronic pain drained her energy, making daily tasks exhausting. “It’s very draining,” she explained. “If you have so much energy in a day, if you’re in pain all the time, you have a lot less.” Even simple activities like attending a Blue Jays game became logistical nightmares, requiring her to plan around crutches, seating, and accessibility. “You wouldn’t have to think about things like that normally and you just take it all for granted,” she noted.
Adapting to New Limitations
Barbato transitioned to water-based exercises, finding relief in swimming. “I switched everything to go into the pool because that’s really good for you,” she said. While adjusting, she acknowledged the emotional toll. “You can feel sorry for yourself until noon. Do whatever you need to do, like cry, do whatever you need to do. But at noon, we got to try and pick ourselves up and keep going.”
Her husband, too, struggled with the changes. Golfing together, once a shared passion, was no longer possible. “Sometimes, I just go in the cart and drive around and watch him golf, but it’s just not the same,” she admitted. Planning ahead, once effortless, now required meticulous consideration of every step, from airport transfers to getting around venues.
Independence posed the greatest challenge. “I’m an extremely independent person and not only do I need help, but I also can’t help others,” she said. The inability to support loved ones or engage in spontaneous activities weighed heavily. However, Barbato found gratitude in her remote work and flexible job, recognizing that many others face income loss or limited resources without such accommodations.
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Barbato recognized that many others with arthritis lack the workplace flexibility she enjoys. She reflected on how income could plummet overnight for those in jobs requiring constant mobility. Her remote work position provides accommodation that lets her contribute effectively without worsening her symptoms.
Advocacy and Finding Purpose
Despite her personal struggles, Barbato discovered new empathy for others facing similar challenges. She realized the unseen mental and physical toll of daily arthritis management goes far beyond visible limitations. Planning even simple activities now requires extensive consideration of accessibility and energy conservation.
She advises newly diagnosed individuals to learn about their condition, contact support organizations, and actively advocate for themselves. Barbato acknowledges experiencing dark days filled with depression and grief over lost mobility. However, she stresses that acknowledging pain must be followed by taking action to improve quality of life through available resources and self-advocacy.
