Today, I spoke at an Arthritis Foundation Juvenile Arthritis Family Day event in my area. I wanted to share the text of my speech with you all below. I will have videos and photos at a later time, to share on my arthritis Facebook page. Enjoy, and feel free to leave a comment letting me know … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Arthritis
Inspiration or Isolation: Which Path Will You Choose? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
In the world of chronic illness, there are many things about which we simply do not have a choice. I didn’t choose rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis, or celiac disease, lupus, sjogrens syndrome, chiari, and so on. Likewise, I’m sure that you did not choose whichever illnesses or disabilities that you may live with. As I’ve … Continue reading
How to Garden with Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Just because you have arthritis doesn’t mean that you need to give up your favorite hobbies. This time of year, gardening is an especially popular hobby for many. If you love to garden, you can rest assured that you won’t have to give up gardening due to your arthritis. In fact, there are many resources … 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
Advocating for Arthritis and Rheumatic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Today was the last day of the 2014 Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C. According to the official website, “The Advocacy Summit is an annual event when people living with and affected by arthritis come from every corner of the United States to convene in Washington, DC.. There they learn how to … Continue reading
The Arthritis Foundation Has the Resources You Need – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
The Arthritis Foundation, Mid Atlantic Region, is now proud to offer a special Resource Folder that volunteers can pick up at any of their offices. Volunteers may take this new informational folder to your rheumatologist to spread the word about getting Arthritis Foundation resources in more doctor offices. You will be able to leave this … Continue reading
Ancient Methods of Pain Relief – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
It’s always amazing to see how far science and medicine have come. I thought it would be interesting for us arthritis patients to learn more about ancient methods of pain relief and old-fashioned arthritis treatments! Here are some interesting “old-school” methods of managing pain: Cupping Therapy: Cupping is an ancient form of Traditional Chinese … Continue reading
Fatigue vs. Being Tired: What’s the Difference? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
To put it simply: being tired is NOT the same thing as having fatigue. The type of fatigue that comes along with chronic illness and autoimmune diseases is unlike any other kind of exhaustion that most healthy people will experience in their lives. As an “e-patient” and an online advocate for people with rheumatic and … Continue reading
What’s the 2014 Arthritis Forecast? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
2013 was a great year with many arthritis-related accomplishments and medical advances. But, 2014 stands to prosper just as well. Instead of looking back with a usual “best of” or “top 10” list in regards to the year that has passed, let us welcome in 2014 by looking forward, and seeing what the future could … Continue reading
Redefining Success with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
This will probably be one of the more honest blog posts that I’ve written to date. The other day, I felt sorry for myself. I didn’t feel well and I wanted to simply scream. I thought about things that I have given up or missed out on because of my illnesses and health problems, and … Continue reading
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