The Arthritis Foundation is striving to help cultivate an interactive online arthritis nation to help people live better with arthritis. In doing so, they’ve created an awesome new interactive online tool called Track + React – and the best part is, it’s FREE! People with any form of arthritis or rheumatic disease can log on … Continue reading
Tag Archives: advocacy
Being An Educated & Empowered Patient – by Ashley Boynes
When it comes to treatment options for rheumatic conditions and other chronic illnesses, the rule of thumb is usually, “try, try again.” With so many treatments out there, it can get confusing for anyone, no matter how educated you are! That being said, the more empowered and educated that you are as a patient, the … Continue reading
Fibromyalgia Awareness – by Ashley Boynes
Fibromyalgia is a pain. Literally. Today is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and this is definitely a condition that needs more awareness surrounding it. Although it isn’t technically a form of arthritis, it is a related condition and shares many overlapping symptoms with various forms of arthritis and rheumatic disease. Fibromyalgia – a chronic pain condition also … Continue reading
The Very Merry Month of May: Arthritis & Lupus Awareness – by Ashley Boynes
May is both Arthritis Awareness and Lupus Awareness Month in the United States. Let’s take advantage of this fact in order to spread the word and to educate others about these conditions. Stumped on how to spread awareness? Increasing education and visibility are key. By improving upon these areas, we can further spread awareness, which … Continue reading
“What I Know For Sure” – Chronic Illness Edition … by Ashley Boynes – inspired by Oprah Winfrey
Oprah has taught me a lot of things. She’s one of my idols, and, to me, a prime example of “overcoming” in the face of adversity to truly live your life to its fullest potential. After writing in since high school (I graduated in 2002) and being on a ticket waiting list for over 2 … Continue reading
Walk It Up! – by Ashley Boynes
The time is here for you to register for your local Arthritis Foundation Arthritis Walk! Not only that, but yesterday, April 6th, was National “Start Walking” Day, and, the month of April is also Physical Wellness Month. So, what better time to get moving?! Spring is upon us, and, new research recently published in Arthritis … Continue reading
Why Advocate? – Ashley Boynes
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
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
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
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