Living in the Present

This article presents the findings from a qualitative researchproject exploring eight women’s experiences of living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Through semistructured interviews, the women provided insights into the physical,emotional, and social impacts of RA and the “work” involved in negotiating its influencein the everyday life. In narrating their experiences of adapting to RA, the womenexpress a common desire for “normalcy,” to return to a time and space before thedisruption of RA. The women’s accounts also emphasized the interrelatedness betweenbodily experience and constructions of self, highlighting the corporeal nature of RA andthe constant shaping and reshaping of personal meanings and values