Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Fibromyalgia / Juvenile Arthritis / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

What Came First: Arthritis or Inactivity? ~ by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Of course, being inactive cannot cause autoimmune forms of arthritis or rheumatic diseases. However, it can exacerbate symptoms and can also contribute to the onset of osteoarthritis, also known as OA, as many studies have shown. OA is the “wear-and-tear” form of arthritis, often caused by old sports injuries or just aging in general. Exercise … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

The Difficulty of Explaining RA Pain: Can it Be Done? ~ by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Lately, I’ve been coming across some blog posts that try to describe a rheumatoid arthritis flare.  It is a great notion – but is it even possible to do? I’ve tried taking photos of bad flares, and, in that case, pictures are NOT worth a thousand words, because there’s just no way to “show” that … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

Potential Good News for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Last weekend was the annual American College of Rheumatology Conference, and though I was not in attendance, I learned that some intriguing information was revealed. Much news, information, and research was shared, but there were a few key elements that could mean good things for those with rheumatoid arthritis. Though the information has been “out … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Awareness / Fibromyalgia / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness

Arthritis and Chronic Illness: Stripping Away Labels and Stigma – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

When I was in graduate school, I took one psychology course that was oriented towards special education. One important thing that I took away from it was that we should always use, “people-first” language. At the time, I only thought of it in the realm of dealing with children with special needs, but, now, I … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Fibromyalgia / Juvenile Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

Parenthood, Arthritis, and Chronic Pain – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

 Parenting is a difficult task for anyone, but particularly of those with chronic illness or a disability. How can you care for your children when there are days that you can barely care for yourself? I don’t have kids of my own but I posed the question to the arthritis community on Facebook and Twitter, … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Uncategorized

The Time to Advocate is Now! Arthritis Advocacy and Our Health – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

I’ve shared ways to advocate in the past, but there’s no time like the present to get involved if you haven’t already. You may or not be aware of this but Congress has appointed a “Super Committee” to find ways to reduce government spending. This is an important task, yet we as patients and advocates … Continue reading

Uncategorized

World Arthritis Day 2011 – Do Blue & Move to Improve! (…And some words from Oprah Winfrey & Dr. Phil, too!) – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

 Today, October 12th, 2011, is World Arthritis Day. This year’s theme is “Move to Improve” — and that’s exactly what we want YOU to do!  We would like you to move around the world for arthritis awareness. By October 31st, the Arthritis Foundation by choosing your weapon against arthritis pain. The goal is covering the distance … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

What’s Your ‘Weapon’ Against Arthritis? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

    I recently read an article about writing being a good way to “beat the blues.” There was scientific evidence behind it, but, more importantly, I can attest to the validity of it on a personal level. The Arthritis Foundation encourages us all to have a “weapon against arthritis.” Most of these weapons of choice are … Continue reading

Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Juvenile Arthritis / Types of Arthritis / Wellness

Arthritis and Obesity (And Dr. Phil) – What’s the Deal? Get the Facts – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

 Does Dr. Phil need to “get real?” Or, did he just….make a mistake? Recently, Dr. Phil made a comment on his television show that enraged some people with RA. He indirectly claimed that an obsese child could face a whole host of health problems caused by his obesity…. including rheumatoid arthritis. Of course, being overweight … Continue reading