Kati Jukarainen: “Illness has taught me that good enough is enough”

Finland’s most beautiful home: a judge in the Kesämökit program Kati Jukarainen was diagnosed with connective tissue disease ten years ago.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, EDS, caused by a rare genetic defect, causes structural defects and fragility in the connective tissues, as well as abnormalities in the functioning of the heart, lungs, intestines, muscles and autonomic nervous system.

— Getting the diagnosis was a relief. Since then, I have not been afraid of pain anymore, because I know where it comes from. I accept that the pain will accompany me for the rest of my life, every day, but fortunately I can influence the intensity of the pain to some extent by taking good care of myself.

Healthy food from your own yard

Kati lives a disciplined life and avoids tiring herself too much.

— In order to cope with everyday life, I have to go to bed on time, eat well and exercise every day. I have had to learn the limits of my endurance and a kind attitude towards myself.

After the diagnosis, Kati started to learn which foods worsen the symptoms. He made the change little by little, first just for breakfast. He quickly noticed that if you only eat carbohydrates in moderation, you feel better. The use of sugar has also decreased.

— Vegetables, berries and fruits are good. We eat a lot of vegetables, because we get them from our own country. In the yard of our house, we have about 70 square meters of kitchen garden, a small fruit and berry garden and a greenhouse. The nobility of the garden are the raw materials that you rarely come across in stores. For example, I love special varieties of tomatoes and potatoes.

Gardening is the best exercise

Before, Kati danced and enthusiastically went to the gym and group exercise classes. He no longer gets the same pleasure from exercise. Exercise is a way to keep the body functional.

— Now I have had to accept that my body needs gentler movement. I go for a run with the dogs a few times every day. I do yoga and use my own body weight to do the movements prescribed to me by the physiotherapist. I also go to rehabilitation, which includes pool therapy.

However, the best exercise is gardening.

— Maintaining a garden is a huge physical effort, which, however, is done at a low heart rate for a long time and a lot. I might spend several hours in the yard every day.

A bright life attitude carries

Kati is grateful that severe joint disease does not prevent her from doing her dream job. Many peers he knows have had to take early retirement much younger than he is now.

— I am grateful every day that I can work, move and walk without aids. I try to focus on positive things. The illness has made me kinder to myself. I’ve learned that good enough is enough.

Read more about Kati Jukarainen’s insights into feeling good in Hyvä tervey magazine issue 8/2024!

This article has appeared in Hyvä tervey magazine. As a subscriber, you can read all issues free of charge from the digilehdet.fi service.