Interview by: Sophia Roman
Article source: JOY! Magazine
Milcah Naidu was born and raised in Bloemfontein as a pastor’s kid, the second youngest of eight children. She has been married to Reginald for 29 years, and together they have been blessed with two children – Aquila and Reuben. They reside in Durban, where family and faith remain at the centre of their lives.
It was March 2016, at the age of 42 (and in the prime of her life), when Milcah’s world quietly changed in ways she never imagined. What began as painful, swollen knees and hands turned out to be rheumatoid arthritis – a chronic illness that would challenge not just her body, but every part of her being. The specialist at the time told her he had never seen someone her age with such high rheumatoid factors. That made her feel even more frightened and overwhelmed. She remembers thinking, “Is this how the rest of my life is going to be?” It was a moment that shook her – but also one that planted a seed of determination deep inside her.
Q. What did that moment teach you about how you handle difficult challenges?
I knew I couldn’t control the diagnosis, but I could choose how I responded to it. That’s where my fight began – not just for survival, but for quality of life, for joy, and for strength I didn’t know I had. Physically, there have been days when I needed help just to get dressed, brush my hair, or make it to the bathroom. Simple things like cooking for my family became difficult, and that loss of independence hit hard. I would pray and cry into my pillow, not wanting my family to see me breaking under this heavy burden.
Q. Can you recall a time when your condition strongly affected you?
Emotionally, I found myself deeply mourning the person I used to be. I missed things like shopping in the mall with my kids or taking peaceful beach walks with my husband. The constant pain and discomfort became a daily companion – but so did something else: a quiet strength that kept rising inside me. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isa 43:2) I’ve also learnt to see people with deeper compassion. You never know what someone is going through – what pain they’re hiding behind a smile, what silent battles they’re fighting just to make it through the day. Kindness, patience, and grace aren’t just nice gestures – they’re lifelines. Sometimes the softest word or warmest smile can be the light someone desperately needs.
Q. Looking back, what shift have you experienced in your life, and how has it influenced you?
One Wednesday morning in April, I woke up in unbearable pain. I felt desperate for relief, so I turned to Google and searched for a biokineticist near me. I booked an appointment for the same day – and that marked the beginning of my rehabilitation classes. I was never a gym person, apart from romantic walks on the beach with Reg. I feared exercise would worsen the pain or damage my fragile joints. But 13 weeks later, I had joined a gym, started aquafit classes, and began rehabilitative training with the biokineticist. That space taught me my body could do more than I thought possible. I began lifting light weights, riding a bicycle, and even walking on a treadmill.
Q. Wow, Milcah, this is so encouraging!
Yes, my ankles and joints grew stronger. Every movement became a quiet victory. I celebrated each small win. I wasn’t limping as much anymore, I didn’t need my walking stick so often, I could start making my bed again, do a little more cooking, and feel healthier and lighter. I now look forward to going to the gym – not just for exercise, but for healing, hope, and community. I’ve realised there’s a strong connection between mental health and physical condition. For many people, their condition worsens because mentally, they just can’t keep fighting. The emotional and psychological toll is as heavy as the physical pain. That’s why being part of a gym environment and training regularly has helped me so much – not just physically, but mentally. It has lifted my mindset, strengthened my resilience, and given me a renewed sense of purpose rooted in my spirit.
Q. In your experience, how important is having a strong family support system?
Through it all, my family has been my anchor. My husband and children have supported me in every way. My sisters and brother never stopped checking in. Their love carried me through the darkest days. The homeopath once told me that if my husband had known 29 years ago what he knows now, he would have run. But by God’s grace, He blessed me with a true gift in Reg. There is nothing he won’t do for me: from cleaning to cooking, holding my hand through doctor’s visits, or just sitting quietly beside me when words fail. His love has never wavered. Through every flare-up, every hospital visit, and every uncertain moment, he has stood by me – not just as my husband, but as my strength, my safe place, my constant. I thank God daily for him. And in those moments where I feel too weak to stand, I lean on God’s promises. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa 40:31). This verse reminds me that even when I feel weary, there is a strength greater than mine carrying me forward. It is by His grace that I rise each day, keep moving, and continue to fight – not just for myself, but for those I love. This is only the second time I’ve shared so openly about my journey with RA. It’s not easy to be vulnerable, but I believe there is strength in honesty. May God use my story for His glory, bringing healing to me, and hope to others walking a similar road.
Q. What would you say to those who are suffering pain of any kind?
Remember that you are not defined by your pain, and that you are never alone. Others may not always see or fully understand what you’re going through, but keep persevering. Be gentle with yourself. Know your limits and hold on to hope. Celebrate every victory, no matter how small, because each one is a step forward. Please don’t forget to care for your spiritual, mental, and emotional health too. Rest when you need to, reach out for support, and give yourself permission to feel and heal. Most of all, treasure this truth: you are alive, you are here, and your life matters deeply. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom 5:3-4).
Q. How does alignment between your spirit, soul, and body shape the way you live your daily life?
As I train and move, I feel my mind growing stronger – and with that, my body follows. That’s been one of the biggest benefits of exercise for me: not just the physical movement, but the mental victory. And it’s never too late to start. You don’t have to join a gym – even gentle movements at home make a difference. On days I can’t get to the gym or see my biokineticist, I follow exercise routines on YouTube designed for my condition. I stay within my abilities, not pushing beyond what’s safe, but I stay consistent. And that consistency is what’s slowly bringing me back to life, one step at a time.
This article is featured in the October issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 29/09/2025
Feature image: Milcah and Reginald Naidu with their son Reuben and daughter Aquila
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