MSP tells of arthritis agony just af ter she gave birth
SHE has spent the past decade working tirelessly in her award-winning family business and as a Holyrood politician.
But despite her heavy workload, MSP Rachael Hamilton has had to cope with an ‘excruciating’ health condition, rheumatoid arthritis.
The 46-year-old was diagnosed with the chronic condition, that causes pain, swelling and joint stiffness, shortly after the birth of her third child in 2007.
At one point she was so ill she had to move into her parents’ home as her joints were so swollen and painful she could not lift her arms or dress herself.
Since being elected in 2016 she has kept her condition a secret
‘Didn’t want to show weakness’
from colleagues. But she has decided to speak out about it now because she believes it will help others with the illness.
Mrs Hamilton is the Tories’ spokesman on culture and tourism. Her husband, Billy, runs the four-star Buccleuch Arms in St Boswells, Roxburghshire, which has won Scottish Inn of the Year four times in the past decade.
But in 2007, when she was working as an administrative assistant in the Conservative Party, she fell ill after having her third child.
She said: ‘It came on gradually over a few weeks and I ended up in excruciating pain with swollen joints. I couldn’t shower or do up my own bra strap.
‘My husband had to look after me. I ended up going to my parents’ house with the baby and the dog. I couldn’t even write thank you letters to people who had sent me gifts for the baby.’
Mrs Hamilton began treatment which included steroid injections and painkillers, but she could not drive and her feet were so swollen she needed bigger shoes.
She had to give up her job, but eventually managed to get her symptoms under control with methotrexate – the ‘gold standard’ treatment for controlling rheumatoid arthritis.
She went back to work, helping her husband by doing administration work at the Buccleuch Arms.
However she decided to stand for election to Holyrood because having always been active in the Conservatives, she believed there were not enough women in politics. ‘It was a risky decision and it has been quite hard physically and mentally,’ she added.
‘I didn’t talk about my arthritis because I didn’t want to show any weakness. But in this role I see so many other people being brave about their issues, and if they can do it, then so can I.’
Mrs Hamilton is calling for more support for patients with musculoskeletal conditions to get back to work.
Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions affect 1.5million Scots. The UK supports disabled employees with an Access to Work scheme but many people are unaware of it, she said.
Speaking at Holyrood yesterday she said: ‘Better promotion of Access to Work, a definition of “reasonable adjustments” and training for Jobcentre Plus staff are changes that could make an extraordinary impact on someone’s life.’