Living

It’s seared in my memory: sitting in my wheelchair across the desk of my school guidance counselor with my mother sitting beside me, talking about my goal to go to...

I’ve struggled with my hearing for as long as I can remember. It’s been something that has caused me feelings of isolation and embarrassment, especially when I was younger, because...

In part 1 of this article, I discussed my history with abnormal menses. In this article, I discuss my options and next steps. We were at a total loss. Why...

I recall years ago that trying to dress while dealing with RA was at best difficult and at worst impossible. The clothing fabrics all seemed tight and confining, shoes were...

"I was reminded that having extra needs does not make you too difficult, too time-consuming, but worthy of compassion and love." -Chanel Miller I found this quote I had saved...

It’s that time again! The birds are chirping, the relentless cold is lifting, and you’re noticing the dusty, dingy dirt tracked in all winter long for the first time. It’s...

I've had a few chances recently to reflect on my diagnosis of RA and lupus. Most of this has surfaced because I'm starting classes again, and when asked to introduce...

I walked with Sheryl on New Year’s Day at our favorite local park. We like this park because it is a leisurely walk with some moderate uphill terrain, but the...

The other day, I was in my closet organizing and found myself sitting on the floor on an extra dog bed. When it was time to get up, I felt...

As I am writing this article, it is a very cold winter day. I am inside as the wind is howling and snow is blowing with zero visibility. My city...

Guess what? Chronically ill and disabled people have lives. Gasp! It’s true! We drink milk and we date, and we stub our toes at night and curse the very universe...

Should our rheumatoid arthritis always get the final say in every decision we make? Before I commit to pretty much anything, I always have to check in with my rheumatoid...

Successfully managing the use of electronic devices intended to make our lives easier and more efficient can be neither if we are not careful. It seems to me it is...

"Grief and hope can coexist." -Rebecca Solnit I recently saw a meme posted on social media that caught my eye and attention. I quickly took a screenshot of it and...

It's the start of a new year, and with that comes the same stuff we usually hear around this time about how someone is going to change their life, their...

For over a year, rheumatoid arthritis has not been my biggest health concern. (I know, right?!) My biggest health issue has been anemia; severe, debilitating anemia. Do I know why...

My sincerest hope is that your 2022 was a better year than mine. Don’t get me wrong, there were many moments of happiness and fun. However, overall, 2022 was very...

I recently needed to get both a cervical MRI and knee x-rays. For better or worse, I asked for the reports so that I could have them for my records...

At a recent visit to a new spinal doctor, I learned that my top couple of vertebrae have become "naturally fused" as a result of my rheumatoid arthritis (RA). He...

Until my own episode, I never realized RA could affect your eyes. Joints? Sure. But eyes? It seemed far-fetched in a disease like RA. I was aware of the need...