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

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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

“Ashley Goes to Washington!” – Advocating for Arthritis: You Can Do It Too! – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Recently, I took part in the American College of Rheumatology ACR Advocates conference in Washington, D.C. In the past, I’d done a lot of Arthritis Foundation e-advocacy events online, but this time when I was asked to speak to Congress and advocate for arthritis, I simply couldn’t pass it up. So, with my mom as … Continue reading

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

Massage Envy and the Arthritis Foundation Present: “Healing Hands for Arthritis” – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

 Arthritis. It affects one in five adults and nearly 300,000 children in the United States, and many more people worldwide suffer from and live with the pain and discomfort of arthritis. On October 12, World Arthritis Day, Massage Envy clinics nationwide will join together to host Healing Hands for Arthritis. Join them as they help us … Continue reading

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

The Dark Side of Arthritis and Chronic Illness: Combating Depression and Suicide – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Sure, I always strive to be happy and live well with illness. I push positivity, and, I’m not alone –  research has shown that a positive attitude and optimistic outlook is beneficial both to your mental AND physical health. While we should at all times try to live our best lives despite our conditions, the … Continue reading

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

Billie Jean King and Venus Williams: Two Tennis Stars Making Arthritis News! – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

In the past 24 hours, two tennis stars have made “rheum” for some big announcements. First, tennis legend Billie Jean King was announced as the star of the new Arthritis Foundation campaign to help fight arthritis pain. The new ads state that we “need a weapon in fighting arthritis” and asks fellow arthritis sufferers — … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Ashley's Health Diary / Awareness / Fibromyalgia / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness

Joys and Pains: A Rheumatoid Arthritis Poem – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

For today’s blog post, I would like to do something a little different, and share with you all a poem that I wrote about life with rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic conditions/chronic illnesses. It is called Joys and Pains. Please enjoy! “Unrelenting pain and never-ceasing fatigue. Hurts and aches in every place. Wondering at times, … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Uncategorized

Speak Up for Arthritis! Don’t Let Congress Cut Funding! by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Your time to “do something” is now. Please, speak up for arthritis and all who live with it on a daily basis. If we don’t act, Congress WILL cut arthritis research. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Congress plans to cut $1.2 trillion in federal spending by November 2011. If we do not tell … Continue reading

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

The Great Debate: Alcohol and Arthritis by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Like all great debates, there are opinions — and evidence — on both sides of the “alcohol and arthritis”  issue.  Some studies show that moderate alcohol intake is actually good for arthritis/inflammation….but many people with the conditions say that drinking worsens their symptoms. Of course, there are also the medications — many of which state … Continue reading