Embraceable You
I love to hug. I have been a hugger for as long as I can remember. I also love to …
Living
I’ll Show You My Dirty RA Secrets
I have a few dirty secrets to confess, one from just this morning. An overnight power outage meant my alarm …
Wait… How Old Are You?
When I tell people that I have RA, I get one of two responses: “Yeah, I have joint pain, too” …
Am I Tough Enough?
I’m dating myself when I admit that New Kids on the Block were big when I was in middle school. …
From Meek Mouse to Mighty Mouse: Or How I Grew My Voice As a Patient
I’m not sure what the best personality style is for someone who lives with rheumatoid arthritis, but I know for …
Energy Recovery
For a long time, I believed I was on a downward energy spiral. For years it felt like I was …
To Go or Not to Go, That Is the Question!
We’ve all been there. Our friends have invited us to meet them somewhere. We’re excited at first, then the hour …
Just Take Tylenol?!
“You should be able to manage your RA pain with over-the-counter medications, like Tylenol and ibuprofen” is what my pain …
I Sold It
It’s true; I sold the Silver Flash. The Silver Flash was my three-wheel adult tricycle. I purchased it in 2012 following a …
Every. Little. Thing. The Balancing Act of RA
Hello everyone, how is every little thing? That’s the question for us RA sufferers, isn’t it? Every. Little. Thing. Why? …
Lock Box in the Cupboard under the Stairs
I am a Harry Potter aficionado. I re-read the books frequently and I own multiple pieces of paraphernalia (case in …
Energy Drain
One of the things that most exhausts me and drains my energy is being out among people. Certainly, this is …
This Weird Reprieve
I started taking Humira in May 2019. I also graduated from Florida State University in May 2019. Since both of …
I Drank All the Juice
I drank all the juice, I ate all the superfoods, I thought all the positive thoughts. Guess what? I’m still …
On Coping Differently
You may be looking about yourself and wondering if you are missing something. You see people with chronic illness seeking …
What’s Your Target?
There seems to be a lot of discussion these days about “treating to target.” In business jargon, we’d say something …
The Weariness of RA
I think that for many of us who suffer for years with RA, the overall weariness of it all can …
New Tool Has the Potential to Diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis
A group of researchers in Europe have discovered a blood test that has the potential to diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) …
You Grow, Girl! How to Plant a Garden—RA Edition
When I was in kindergarten, my class planted a crocus garden that bloomed for years until an addition to the …
Me and My Bike, A Love Story
As a kid with arthritis, I often traveled on people’s backs. My Dad would lift me up on long hikes …