Tina Wesson: Surviving With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Updated June 09, 2015.
Tina Wesson was selected from a group of 49,000 applicants to be one of the contestants on the hit reality TV show, "Survivor 2: The Australian Outback". If you have never seen the show, the original group of 16 contestants is whittled down week by week. The last contestant who "survives" after 42 days of competition wins. At the end, Tina Wesson was voted "Survivor of the Australian Outback" - and winner of the coveted $1 million dollars!
The 42 days of competition is no walk in the park. There is rough terrain, plenty of obstacles, scarce food to eat, and just enough stress and attitude to make it interesting. As the Survivor series plays out week by week, viewers of the show become more familiar with the personalities and physical abilities of each contestant. You seen them:
That's what you would expect to see them doing in a game of survival. But is it what you expect to see Tina doing?
The word from various publicity sources is that Tina has rheumatoid arthritis (RA). After watching her on the Survivor series, the news that she has RA is almost unbelievable, especially to people who suffer with the disease.
The questions are many:
While digging deeper into Tina's background, searching for answers to these questions, more remarkable feats were discovered. Tina works as a private duty certified nursing assistant.
She is married and a fulltime mom. Tina, described as an "avid athlete" has:
Tina's hobbies include:
Many RA sufferers who have already faced the limitations which the disease can impose are amazed to learn Tina has RA. The abilities which she demonstrates on the show are not really congruent with the image of the typical RA patient.
As expressed on our arthritis forum, some people with RA are concerned that some viewers of "Survivor 2" will get bogged down by various misconceptions and will trivialize the severity of the disease. One of our members wrote, "I'm dreading my friends and family finding out about Tina. I have enough trouble trying to explain to them how someone who "looks so good" can possibly have so much wrong with them. I will never be able to explain to them why I sometimes cannot make it through the day without taking a nap and need help getting dressed."
Realistically, there are certain factors which must be considered when considering Tina and her arthritis:
How long has she had RA? Reportedly, Tina Wesson was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1994.
Which of the 7 criteria for classification of RA, established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), does Tina meet?
The 7 criteria include:
To be classified with RA, a person must have at least 4 of the 7 criteria, and the first four listed must be present for at least six weeks. Knowing which criteria Tina meets and the level of severity of each would likely help explain her situation.
There are 4 functional classifications for RA as described by the ACR:
If Tina is still in functional class I, and if she is a person who responds well to treatment, that also would explain her high activity level.
In reference to her RA, Tina reportedly has told her husband, "If it affects me 20 years later so be it. Right now, I'm going to live." That is precisely the positive attitude which is necessary to survive life with RA. Focusing on what you can do and not what you cannot do is imperative to coping with arthritis.
Tina Wesson serves as a role model to people living with arthritis, a disease punctuated by ups and downs. Even if your physical ability has declined and you are not now as strong as Tina, the message she is sending us is to live life to the fullest. Though the disease may have already narrowed the possibilities for you, grab on to what is still possible!
Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Screening Quiz Test Your Knowledge: Rheumatoid Arthritis Guide To Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sources: Tina Wesson bios from cbs.com, people.com, planethollywood.com, arthritis.org
First published: 05/03/2001
Tina Wesson: The Ultimate Survivor
Tina Wesson was selected from a group of 49,000 applicants to be one of the contestants on the hit reality TV show, "Survivor 2: The Australian Outback". If you have never seen the show, the original group of 16 contestants is whittled down week by week. The last contestant who "survives" after 42 days of competition wins. At the end, Tina Wesson was voted "Survivor of the Australian Outback" - and winner of the coveted $1 million dollars!
About The Survivor Reality TV Series
The 42 days of competition is no walk in the park. There is rough terrain, plenty of obstacles, scarce food to eat, and just enough stress and attitude to make it interesting. As the Survivor series plays out week by week, viewers of the show become more familiar with the personalities and physical abilities of each contestant. You seen them:
- run
- jump
- haul
- crawl
- climb
- swim
- you name it!
That's what you would expect to see them doing in a game of survival. But is it what you expect to see Tina doing?
The word from various publicity sources is that Tina has rheumatoid arthritis (RA). After watching her on the Survivor series, the news that she has RA is almost unbelievable, especially to people who suffer with the disease.
The questions are many:
- How can she do the things she does?
- What miracle drug is she taking?
- How long has she had RA?
While digging deeper into Tina's background, searching for answers to these questions, more remarkable feats were discovered. Tina works as a private duty certified nursing assistant.
She is married and a fulltime mom. Tina, described as an "avid athlete" has:
- completed the Dublin, Ireland, Marathon
- placed 1st in the TN State Racquetball Tournament
- placed 1st in her age division in her hometown mini-triathlon
Tina's hobbies include:
- racquetball
- paddleball
- running
- swimming
- motorcycling
Many RA sufferers who have already faced the limitations which the disease can impose are amazed to learn Tina has RA. The abilities which she demonstrates on the show are not really congruent with the image of the typical RA patient.
As expressed on our arthritis forum, some people with RA are concerned that some viewers of "Survivor 2" will get bogged down by various misconceptions and will trivialize the severity of the disease. One of our members wrote, "I'm dreading my friends and family finding out about Tina. I have enough trouble trying to explain to them how someone who "looks so good" can possibly have so much wrong with them. I will never be able to explain to them why I sometimes cannot make it through the day without taking a nap and need help getting dressed."
Considerations
Realistically, there are certain factors which must be considered when considering Tina and her arthritis:
How long has she had RA? Reportedly, Tina Wesson was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1994.
Which of the 7 criteria for classification of RA, established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), does Tina meet?
The 7 criteria include:
- morning stiffness
- arthritis of 3 or more joint areas
- arthritis of the hand joints
- symmetric arthritis
- rheumatoid nodules
- serum rheumatoid factor
- radiographic changes
To be classified with RA, a person must have at least 4 of the 7 criteria, and the first four listed must be present for at least six weeks. Knowing which criteria Tina meets and the level of severity of each would likely help explain her situation.
There are 4 functional classifications for RA as described by the ACR:
- (I) Completely able to perform usual activities of daily living (self-care, vocational, and recreational activities)
- (II) Able to perform usual self-care and vocational activities, but limited in recreational activities
- (III) Able to perform usual self-care activities, but limited in vocational and recreational activities
- (IV) Limited in ability to perform usual self-care, vocational, and recreational activities
If Tina is still in functional class I, and if she is a person who responds well to treatment, that also would explain her high activity level.
Role Model
In reference to her RA, Tina reportedly has told her husband, "If it affects me 20 years later so be it. Right now, I'm going to live." That is precisely the positive attitude which is necessary to survive life with RA. Focusing on what you can do and not what you cannot do is imperative to coping with arthritis.
Tina Wesson serves as a role model to people living with arthritis, a disease punctuated by ups and downs. Even if your physical ability has declined and you are not now as strong as Tina, the message she is sending us is to live life to the fullest. Though the disease may have already narrowed the possibilities for you, grab on to what is still possible!
Related Resources
Sources: Tina Wesson bios from cbs.com, people.com, planethollywood.com, arthritis.org
First published: 05/03/2001
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