ARTHRITIS – It is not the pain that hurts – the fear is

Dominika Naveršnik, the director of the Music School in Vrhnika, is a woman whose passion for music has driven her throughout her life. Despite being diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease that threatened her dreams, she refused to let it define her. Her story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and an unwavering love for music. Dominika’s journey shows us that while life may take unexpected turns, accepting and embracing those changes can lead to new, fulfilling opportunities. Here's her inspiring story.

The Challenges and Triumphs: I first encountered chronic pain almost 20 years ago during my final year at the Academy of Music, where I was pursuing my dream of becoming a piano teacher. I had been passionate about music from a young age, starting piano lessons at eight years old and dedicating most of my life to my studies and performance. By the time I reached my fourth year at the Academy, I was at the height of my musical career.

But everything changed when I started experiencing pain in my left wrist. At first, I thought it was just an awkward sleeping position, but the swelling soon followed, and I realized something was seriously wrong. Despite my best efforts, the pain spread to my other joints, and daily tasks became a struggle. By the time I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, I could hardly move my hands without excruciating pain. My musical future was suddenly in jeopardy.

The Rollercoaster of Diagnosis and Treatment: After receiving my diagnosis, I was put on medication that worked wonders—within a week, the pain subsided, and I could play the piano again. I graduated, began my career as a piano teacher, and felt like life had returned to normal. But that was short-lived. The pain returned with a vengeance, and this time, the medication caused other complications, leading to a new diagnosis: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The disease was relentless, and I faced constant joint pain, sleepless nights, and moments where I questioned whether I could continue pursuing my passion. However, with the help of corticosteroids, the pain would disappear, if only temporarily, giving me brief moments of relief that reminded me what it felt like to be healthy again. These glimpses of normalcy fueled my determination to live as fully as I could, even with the unpredictable nature of my illness.

Accepting My Limits, Redefining My Life: For a long time, I resisted accepting help or acknowledging my limitations. I didn't want to be treated differently because of my condition, but over time, I realized that asking for help was not a sign of weakness. It was a step towards acceptance and peace with myself. By embracing my limits, I found that I could live more fully, without the burden of denial or fear holding me back.

After many years of playing and teaching the piano, I made the difficult decision to stop playing professionally. While it felt like I was saying goodbye to a part of myself, I discovered that I didn’t need to fear this transition. I had spent so long identifying myself with music that the idea of letting it go was terrifying. But as I stepped away, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and confidence that life had more to offer me.

A New Chapter as a Leader: Eight years ago, life took another unexpected turn, and I became the director of the Music School in Vrhnika. While I hadn’t planned for this role, I found great satisfaction in it, helping the school achieve remarkable success. I realized that sometimes, life leads us in directions we never imagined, and when we embrace those changes, we open ourselves up to new and beautiful experiences.

Dominika’s story reminds us that life doesn’t always follow the path we’ve planned, but that doesn’t mean we should give up on our dreams. Her resilience in the face of chronic illness and her ability to adapt to life’s challenges have allowed her to not only pursue her passion for music but also excel in a new role as a leader. As Dominika says, with every farewell, we make room for something new. Whether it's moving past pain or finding new passions, embracing life’s unpredictability can lead to unexpected joys and fulfillment.