Sometimes, it’s hard to find time for things you want and need to do, while living with chronic illness. I get it. It’s difficult, and it’s even harder to explain to others. It’s been described in terms of spoons, and in many other ways, ranging from the creative to the absurd. That said, time management … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Arthritis Foundation Mid Atlantic Region
May You Be Aware This Month: Advocating for Arthritis, Lupus, and More – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
May is National Arthritis Awareness Month, and there are many ways that YOU can take action to spread arthritis awareness. Utilizing social media to spread the word is a great idea. So is signing petitions and supporting advocacy efforts like this Action Alert. You could also sign up for an Arthritis Walk in your area, or … Continue reading
Walking on Eggshells When Someone You Love Has Chronic Illness or Disability – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Sometimes, when someone lives with chronic illness, chronic pain, or a disability such as arthritis, lupus, or other rheumatic illnesses, the “normal” or “healthy” people around them feel the need to “walk on eggshells.” What better time than now, as Easter is upon us, to discuss this very topic? I, for one, have always wanted … Continue reading
Difficult Decisions for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Being a rheumatoid arthritis patient or someone who lives with any chronic illness, really, leads us to sometimes have to make tough decisions that others may not have to face. Some of these decisions may be difficult or disheartening, and, like most life decisions, need to be considered carefully. One major decision that RA (and … Continue reading
Autoimmune Illness and Circulation: How Do Conditions Like Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Our Cardiovascular System? – By Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Most people think of aches and pains when they hear about arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and similar ailments. The truth is, these conditions are complex, and there are still so many unknowns that surround each of them. Yes, pain and inflammation are often a huge part of various forms of arthritis and other chronic autoimmune illnesses, … Continue reading
An Open Letter to Lady Gaga: Synovitis Stinks! – from Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Dear Lady Gaga, a.k.a. Stefani: Synovitis stinks. I, too, am a twentysomething who knows what it is like to have put on hold the things I love because of pain, and I interact with thousands of others every day who have felt the same exact way. I read on your Twitter page that your doctor … Continue reading
13 Arthritis Tips and Resolutions for the New Year – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Happy New Year! Let’s resolve to make 2013 a healthy year with these 13 tips for living well with arthritis and rheumatic illness. Exercise: We know you hear it all the time, and we know that it can be frustrating and seem like a huge challenge, but light to moderate exercise, or any kind of … Continue reading
Holiday Gift Ideas for Arthritis Patients – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
The holiday season is here, and it is the time for giving gifts, and letting loved ones around us know how much they mean to us. So, if someone special in your life is affected by arthritis or chronic pain, what are some good gift ideas to give them? Here are some tips and suggestions: … Continue reading
Back Pain and Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
According to the Arthritis Foundation, “back pain is one of the most common health problems in the United States – some 50 percent to 80 percent of adults have had back pain at some time, and 10 percent of all Americans have back pain in a given year. Back pain can occur at any age … Continue reading
Managing Stress While Living with Chronic Pain or Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
As many as 90% of doctor visits, and thus coinciding conditions, have stress as a causative or effective component. Stress is a part of life for everyone, and how stress is handled varies from person to person. Unfortunately, for people living with a disability, chronic illness, or any other medical problem, life tends to come with a … Continue reading