Body Shaming + When Illness or Disability Affect Body Image, Fashion, and Beauty

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Body-shaming is sadly a very real phenomenon. I mean, just look at the awesome and mega-fit Lady Gaga (who I LOVE, by the way!) who was shamed and trolled over a practically-nonexistent “belly roll” during the Super Bowl. It almost became a bigger topic of conversation than her stellar, iconic, and historically-great Super Bowl Halftime Show. … Continue reading →

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#Longread: The Emotions of Thinking and Talking About Illness

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

I’ve written and posted before about hiding our pain to spare the feelings of others, and many similar topics of conversation. I have also written about the emotions of guilt, resentment, and burden that can accompany a lifelong illness or disability. I decided to revisit the topic and reframe it in a couple of new ways. The first … Continue reading →

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Walking in My Shoes: Keeping Perspective With a Chronic Health Issue

Posted on January 14, 2017 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

Today I decided to post a photo to my blog that I had posted on Facebook and Instagram back in November, 2016. Since I finally have my custom medial-unloader knee brace and my custom permanent Arizona cast for my foot, I decided that this particular post would be worthy of a re-share, and you will see … Continue reading →

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All About the Autoimmune Registry

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

Guys, I’m really excited to be working with a great new 501c3 nonprofit called The Autoimmune Registry. We are in the process of creating a hub for research, statistics, and patient data on all autoimmune illnesses. We also aim to establish prevalence of these disease, as right now the estimates for autoimmune disease prevalence are all … Continue reading →

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Karma and Illness: That’s a Nope

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

I don’t go so far as to reject many ideas. Truly. I’m like a sponge: I soak up as much information as I can and try to equally and fairly weigh all points of view and perspectives. I like to try to learn about things without judging them. Even if I disagree with something, I … Continue reading →

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Breaking: Sick Girl is Sick of Absolutes and Assumptions

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

We live in a society where people think that if you’re for one thing, you’re against another. It’s also a world in which people think that by discussing your own journey, you are somehow dismissing theirs. We are divided on many issues, we still think in cliches, and we still see in stereotypes. But we act … Continue reading →

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#HAWMC – Day 10: An RA Q&A

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

Questions and answers about life with rheumatoid arthritis and invisible illness. Continue reading →

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When RA Tries to Get in the Way (But I Won’t Let It)

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

I set off for this summer to be my “summer of hobbies.” My summer even has its own Instagram hashtag, #AshSummerOfHobbies2016! But, I didn’t anticipate RA to get in the way. (This is something I discussed in a recent Arthritis Ashley Facebook Live Chat.) I’m very proud of myself for pushing through, though. RA and … Continue reading →

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The Problem with Negativity: And Why Being Positive Doesn’t Hurt

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

Let’s be honest: no one can be positive all the time. To do so simply wouldn’t be human. I highly doubt that there is one person on this earth who has never been unhappy or felt pessimistic, who is always happy and positive at all times, and without fail. If so, I would like to … Continue reading →

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The Great JA vs. RA Debacle

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

This is a Facebook-rant-turned-blog post. I am definitely looking for some feedback/insight on this one, because when it comes to The Great JA vs. RA Debacle, I don’t know what is considered to be the standard, or what is the “proper” and acceptable approach. Even whilst doing research, I seem to encounter different answers on … Continue reading →