“Fly on the strength of your own wings” – the mantra that has kept Dina Neils running

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 18 years old and was told by my doctor, “You will never run again and you will be in a wheelchair by the time you’re in your mid 20s.”
Not willing to accept that diagnosis, I told the doctor that she was wrong and walked out. For 12 years I battled rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease with no cure that causes chronic pain and inflammation affecting joints and organs throughout the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis deteriorated my hips – nothing but bone grinding on bone – and since diagnosis I’ve had two total hip replacements, have learned how to walk again (twice), and have literally swam, cycled and ran myself into remission.
At the age of 18, I was an accomplished long distance runner embarking on my first year of collegiate competition. While training for cross country season, rheumatoid arthritis started in my foot – within weeks chronic pain spread to my toes, knees, hips, hands, elbows and jaw. In a couple of months I went from being a healthy athlete to becoming disabled. Even with an arsenal of the best medical treatment (daily pain killers, steroids, cortisone, weekly self-injections, chemotherapy and monthly infusions), the nature of the disease seemed never-ending.
Over the years no matter how difficult the fight became, I never gave up. I didn’t let the disease define who I was or wanted to be. I have been determined to defy the odds – not just for myself, but for others who face similar challenges.
My journey back to running has been remarkable – and it has only just begun. In 2012-2014 I completed many long distance running races, including half marathons. Most recently, I successfully crossed over into triathlon. I completed my first triathlon in 2013, and have filled my race calendar with many more for 2014.
I believe the purpose in my journey is an opportunity to inspire and help others. I am the CreakyJoints spokesathlete; as such I build awareness of rheumatoid arthritis in the athletic and arthritis communities.
I am also an Arthritis National Research Foundation and Arthritis Foundation advocate, and am on the Racing for a Cure team (which helps raise funds to find a cure for arthritis).
I have embarked on a mission greater than myself – racing triathlons to create awareness of rheumatoid arthritis and raise donations to assist in finding a cure, so that one day children and adults alike will not have to live in chronic pain and disease anymore.
Every day, I live by these words: “I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say, ‘because of you I didn’t give up’.”
For a quick glimpse into Dina’s journey, watch this video interview with the Arthritis National Research Foundation: http://www.curearthritis.org/rheumatoid-arthritis-athlete-completes-triathlon.
Further links are here: www.facebook.com/titaniumtriathlete and www.linkedin.com/in/dinaneils.