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A diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is likely to leave you very confused and completely overwhelmed. It is time to take a breath and to assess where you are and what the next step is.

There is so much information on rheumatoid arthritis that it is hard to know where to start. Below I have details three points which I believe will help you to keep your focus and stay on track.

1. Every patient is different. There are no two people in the world the same. The same it true for patients - there are no two patients who will respond exactly the same way. However tempting it may be you must try not to compare your treatment or progress against others.

2. How to manage your pain. Pain management is an important aspect of any illness. Why do you need to manage pain? Pain can affect all sorts of areas of our lives. Although you may be able to live with a pain it does not mean that you should. Firstly, why should any one live in pain if it is not necessary? Secondly, there are side affects to living with pain - a patient may become irrational or emotional. This can have a devastating affect of areas of your personal life.

3. Dealing with physical change. It is inevitable that your body will go through changes with rheumatoid arthritis, but no one can predict how and when these will happen. Each physical change will need to be reviewed and the consequences understood. Living with rheumatoid arthritis is not about waiting for the next stage - this is the wrong mindset and an important pitfall to avoid.

Now is a good time to evaluate what is important - top of your list should be quality of life. Happiness is one of the best treatments for anything. Rheumatoid arthritis does not mean that you have to give up living.

Taking advice from other people is important, but it is most important to be sure of your actions and believe in what you are doing. If you are unsure of something then it is not likely to be successful.

Remember, there is no better way to stay positive than you make sure that you spend as much time as possible with positive people.

Grants are constantly available for individuals who are disabled and can not carry out certain functions thereby stopping them from earning a livelihood, or if their income is not satisfactory enough to buy them supplies such as stair lifts etc. If you want to apply in behalf of a person, you can, even though the condition is that the other person should be the landlord or tenant of the property and you must certify that you are going to live their for the next five years.

Grants services depend on local establishment. As a first step you will have to go to social services to get an assessment of your requirements. They make a skilled evaluation and advise an amount. For purchasing a stair lift, the similar process has to be taken on.

Basically it includes local council grant, which is also called a Disabled Facility Grant. This grant enables you to remove difficulties while living at home. The council has to find out if the changes in your house are necessary and are practical to consider. If you are a tenant and are disabled, then your land owner can also apply on your behalf. If you are living in Scotland, then you will have to contact social services for the available grant. But if you are a resident of Northern Ireland or England, grants will be available for you. This type of grant will enable you to move around in your home in a more convenient way.

You can also acquire Disabled Facilities Grants for expanding doors. Besides installing a stair lift you can also apply for heating systems if you want them. Additionally, heating control or lighting control can also be made easier if you are having problem to administer them. If there is a child at home to be taken care of, then a grant can also be taken so that you can effortlessly look after him.

It is also the possiblity that you will have to search for the assistance of an occupation therapist to watch your circumstances and build a financial assessment. This financial assessment is based on a means test that involves amount of savings higher than certain limit. Means testing cannot be executed if you have a disabled child under the age of nineteen. Means testing is calculated on your normal weekly income.

Your partner's income is also included in the calculations and financial assessment, including your capital. An amount of six thousand pounds can be ignored in this whole calculation if it comes under savings. Moreover, outgoing income is also taken into account.

Depending on your location, a specific amount is given to you, less the amount you can contribute to a stair lift. Your contribution is necessary if your income is more than your needs. In this case a portion of your income is calculated to include in that grant. If you are living in England, you will be offered an amount of approximately thirty thousand pounds. If you are in Northern Ireland, then the amount can be around twenty five thousand pounds. But if you are in Wales, you are a bit luckier. You will get thirty six thousand pounds.