Reflecting on the recent disaster in Japan – and past natural disasters around the world – I wonder how many of us are actually prepared for an emergency. Those of us with medical needs may have to take some extra precautions and may also have more to take into consideration. How ready are YOU for … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Disability
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Don’t Let It Be a Life-Ruiner! – by Ashley Boynes
Of course, when we’re issued any type of life-altering health diagnosis, it may seem like a death sentence. It may seem like a mountain so steep that we’ll never be able to climb it, or we may feel like hamsters running on a wheel, ’round and ’round, with no end in sight. Yes, rheumatoid arthritis … Continue reading
Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness
Talking About Pain: Can It Affect The Way We Feel? – by Ashley Boynes
Last week, I challenged Facebook friends to describe their chronic illness in 3 words. Many of these people had Rheumatoid Arthritis and similar conditions, and many of them used words such as “frustrating, isolating, ugly, lonely, indescribable, difficult, invisible, painful, hurting, tiring, depressing, agonizing, expensive, challenging, life-changing, annoying, misunderstood, tearful, excruciating, exhausting, consuming, limiting” and … 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
Advocacy / Arthritis / Ashley's Health Diary / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness
Freedom: Making Choices and Living Judgment-Free with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes
Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in FREEDOM. In choice. In equal rights. In humanity “getting along.” In the destruction of prejudices and discrimination, and the erasure of hate. Yet, even in 2011, pockets of the population face discrimination, have their “choices” (or lack thereof) dictated to them, and face judgment, regardless of the leaps and … Continue reading
Keeping Perspective With Arthritis & Illness – My Opinions – by Ashley Boynes
“You can complain that roses have thorns, or rejoice that thorns have roses.” It’s all about your perspective. In the past 2 weeks, myself, family, fiance, and people close to us have unfortunately been dealing with a lot of deaths. The veil of sadness barely has lifted before news of another set in. Most were … Continue reading
Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Ashley's Health Diary / Awareness / Journey to Wellness / Juvenile Arthritis / Oldies But Goodies / Personal Stories / Uncategorized
2010 – Our “Blog Year” in review!
We thought you may want to check out some of our most popular and most widely-viewed blog posts from 2010! Stay tuned for more informative, helpful, and inspiring “Wellness with a Side of Life, Please!” blog posts in 2011! The lovely stats helper folks at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and … Continue reading
Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Juvenile Arthritis / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness
A Nation Unaware: We Need To Increase Juvenile Arthritis Awareness – by Ashley Boynes
“She’s just a hypochondriac.” “He’s lying.” “It’s all in their head. They just want attention.” “You’re faking!” “Oh, you’re too young for arthritis.” These are all phrases that children and teens with juvenile arthritis will, unfortunately, come across many times during the course of their lives and their illness. Even the adults that these kids … Continue reading
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