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
Category Archives: Juvenile Arthritis
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
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
Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness
Rheumatic Conditions, Autoimmune Diseases, and the Skin: How does our skin relate to arthritis? – by Ashley Boynes
The skin is the largest organ of our bodies….but we so often forget about it. Don’t neglect your skin, and don’t ignore skin-related symptoms! There are many rheumatic autoimmune disorders that affect the skin. I personally have high autoimmunity, a few different conditions, and have had a slew of dermatologic issues ranging from vitiligo, to … Continue reading
Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Ashley's Health Diary / Awareness / Journey to Wellness / Juvenile Arthritis / Oldies But Goodies / Personal Stories / Uncategorized
2010 – Our “Blog Year” in review!
We thought you may want to check out some of our most popular and most widely-viewed blog posts from 2010! Stay tuned for more informative, helpful, and inspiring “Wellness with a Side of Life, Please!” blog posts in 2011! The lovely stats helper folks at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and … Continue reading
Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness
A Nation Unaware: We Need To Increase Juvenile Arthritis Awareness – by Ashley Boynes
“She’s just a hypochondriac.” “He’s lying.” “It’s all in their head. They just want attention.” “You’re faking!” “Oh, you’re too young for arthritis.” These are all phrases that children and teens with juvenile arthritis will, unfortunately, come across many times during the course of their lives and their illness. Even the adults that these kids … Continue reading
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