Why advocate? You’re just one voice, after all. You won’t be heard. … or will you? Arthritis affects 22% of the United States population. That’s over 50 million adults and over 300,000 children. Still thinking you won’t be heard? Think again. Last week was the Advocacy Summit. Arthritis patients and advocates of all ages stormed … Continue reading
Author Archives: Arthritis Ashley
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Don’t Let It Be a Life-Ruiner! – by Ashley Boynes
Of course, when we’re issued any type of life-altering health diagnosis, it may seem like a death sentence. It may seem like a mountain so steep that we’ll never be able to climb it, or we may feel like hamsters running on a wheel, ’round and ’round, with no end in sight. Yes, rheumatoid arthritis … Continue reading
Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness
Talking About Pain: Can It Affect The Way We Feel? – by Ashley Boynes
Last week, I challenged Facebook friends to describe their chronic illness in 3 words. Many of these people had Rheumatoid Arthritis and similar conditions, and many of them used words such as “frustrating, isolating, ugly, lonely, indescribable, difficult, invisible, painful, hurting, tiring, depressing, agonizing, expensive, challenging, life-changing, annoying, misunderstood, tearful, excruciating, exhausting, consuming, limiting” and … Continue reading
Some Startling Arthritis Statistics – by Ashley Boynes
Did You Know….. 50 million Americans have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. That’s 22% of the population, and 1-in-5 adults! The previous arthritis statistic has risen at a rate of approximately 1 million people every year over the last 4 years! 1-in-10 Americans skip or struggle w/ ‘everyday’ activities like climbing stairs or grocery shopping b/c … Continue reading
Start Small! How to Stay Active with Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes
Let me just say this – I don’t like to exercise. I am always baffled by people who genuinely love working out. While I always enjoyed sports growing up, until I had to quit – softball, basketball, and cheerleading – the idea of going to a gym or having a strict fitness regime has never … Continue reading
Keeping Up with Chiari – and Some Inspirational Thoughts ~ Ashley’s Health Diary, Entry #27 ~ by Ashley Boynes
February 9th, 2011 Exactly one week ago, I was in the hospital just a couple hours out of neurosurgery. I had brain surgery on February 2nd, and am doing seemingly well. I haven’t posted a “health diary” entry in a while, and some of you were inquiring about it, so here it is! Just a … Continue reading
Advocate for Yourself and Your Health! Learn About Arthritis Advocacy and the 2011 AF Advocacy Summit! – by Ashley Boynes
What is an advocate? An advocate is someone who supports a cause publicly, and who pleads the cause of themselves or another. Advocates push for things to get done. For awareness to be spread. For laws to be passed. For rights. They educate. They inspire. Simply put, advocates are heroes. Who needs to advocate? … Continue reading
How to Choose a Doctor – by Ashley Boynes
Do you have a new diagnosis? Did you move to a new part of the country? Have you held off on going to the doctor for years? Or, are you in need of a major surgery or life-altering treatment? If so, you may be stuck at the crossroads of having to choose a new … Continue reading
Oh, hey, OA! What You Need to Know About Osteoarthritis – by Ashley Boynes
Almost everyone will get arthritis at some point in their lives, and the most common type is osteoarthritis, also known as OA. Osteoarthritis usually comes with aging and is frequently seen in athletes, overweight people, and “blue-collar” workers, as well. It is the “wear-and-tear” form of arthritis, and not the autoimmune type. OA is … Continue reading
Advocacy / Arthritis / Ashley's Health Diary / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness
Freedom: Making Choices and Living Judgment-Free with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes
Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in FREEDOM. In choice. In equal rights. In humanity “getting along.” In the destruction of prejudices and discrimination, and the erasure of hate. Yet, even in 2011, pockets of the population face discrimination, have their “choices” (or lack thereof) dictated to them, and face judgment, regardless of the leaps and … Continue reading
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