An “Ashley’s Health Diary” Update – Entry #30 – Wrapping Up 2011 and Looking Ahead to 2012 – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

January 3rd, 2012 – I have not done one of my more personal Ashley’s Health Diary posts in a while, because I realized that it was more important for me to educate about rheumatic conditions than to talk about my own story. However, I do realize that as a patient advocate, that sharing my story … Continue reading →

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

Keeping an Eye on Arthritis: Links Between Arthritis and Eye Health – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Did you know that having arthritis can affect your eyes, too? Sure, arthritis inflammation attacks your joints, and most people also associate arthritis pain with the bones, muscle, and tissue, as well. However, inflammation can also attack the eyes — a little-known fact about arthritis. Let’s explore some ways in which certain eye problems can … Continue reading →

Uncategorized

The Best Arthritis News of 2011 – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Barbara Walters named her Top 10 Most Fascinating People, TIME Magazine named its Person of the Year, and People Magazine recently put out their Best of 2011 issue. So, as 2011 wraps up, I want to touch upon some of the best and/or most important arthritis and health moments/breakthroughs of 2011! New NSAID: Vimovo, a … Continue reading →

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

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

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

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

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

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

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 →

Uncategorized

Health & Hollywood: Stars Get Sick, Too! A Look at Celebrities with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 8 Comments

Sure, their “people” usually try to either: a.) hide the fact that their celebrity client is sick or b.) exploit the fact that their celebrity client is sick….but the truth is, stars are human, and even the most beautiful, rich, and famous people in the world get sick, too. I was saddened to hear about … 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

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

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 →

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

Defined by an Illness? Milking Your Sickness? That’s Not My Cup of Tea! by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 6 Comments

[Disclaimer: this post isn’t meant to offend anyone and is all personal opinion relating to MYSELF, my unique individual situation, and how I live my life. It isn’t casting judgment on people who have a different point of view, rather, it is just explaining my perspective and offering some food for thought……] In a world … 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

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 7 Comments

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

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

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 →