Life Isn’t Fair: Finding Gratitude through The Grief of Chronic Illness

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

Sometimes, I get really mad and really mournful in regards to my health situation. And that’s okay. Keeping a positive outlook, being happy, remaining grateful, and staying strong do not mean that everything is perfect or that it’s all rainbows and butterflies all of the time. It is possible to be positive and strong and … Continue reading →

Arthritis Ashley / chronic illness / movie review / RA awareness / rheumatoid arthritis awareness

Movie Review: “Cake” Starring Jennifer Aniston As a Patient Living with Chronic Pain

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

This past weekend, I was finally able to see the movie, Cake, that’s been garnering all the buzz. I will share my thoughts on the movie … and for those of you who are new to my blog, please remember that I’m sharing this from the perspective of someone with (juvenile) rheumatoid arthritis and sjogrens … Continue reading →

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Ashley / Autoimmune / Awareness / chronic illness / Entertainment / Fibromyalgia / invisible illness

#BeMoreHuman & Celebrate Everyone’s Fitness Choices and Abilities

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

While I enjoyed the commercial, I joked last night that “Welp, I’m not human,” after seeing Reebok’s #BeMoreHuman Super Bowl commercial. They replied on Twitter by telling me, and I quote: “Not with that attitude.” (As a follow up, it’s worth noting that Reebok also clarified, saying that #BeMoreHuman is about being your Best You, whatever … Continue reading →

Arthritis / Arthritis Ashley / arthritis blog

Chronicles of a Sick Girl: A Rant on Feeling Conflicted and Judged

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Arthritis Ashley • 4 Comments

Here’s a little rant; maybe some of you can relate. Sometimes, I feel conflicted. I want people to know about the illnesses that I live with. I want to inform, inspire, advocate, and educate. I want to spread awareness. I want people to empathize or understand what I’m going through. I want people to “get … Continue reading →

Arthritis / Autoimmune / chronic illness / invisible illness / Juvenile Arthritis / Lupus / RA awareness / Types of Arthritis

Healthline.com: NSAIDs Relieve Arthritis Pain, but Are Tougher on the Tummy than Celebrex

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

Did you know … ? Using NSAIDs to treat rheumatoid arthritis is pretty common, but damage to the stomach may be a cause for concern. Drugs like Celebrex seem to cause fewer digestive side effects. Read more of what I discovered while writing this Healthline article, here. Link: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/nsaids-relieve-arthritis-pain-but-tougher-on-the-tummy-122814 Continue reading →

Uncategorized

Rheuminders

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

I started a new project on Facebook and Instagram called the Ultimate You Rheuminders Series (brought to you by Arthritis Ashley!) These share-able messages are little snippets of advice, positivity, or empowerment for patients living with RA and other debilitating illnesses — but they can also apply to anyone from someone living with chronic pain, … Continue reading →

Arthritis / Autoimmune / Entertainment / Lupus / Pop Culture / Selena Gomez / SLE

Selena Gomez and Lupus: My Thoughts

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

Last night, singer, actress, and designer Selena Gomez gave a beautiful and heartfelt performance at the 2014 American Music Awards, with best friend Taylor Swift rooting her on from the audience. Onlookers would not have known anything was wrong with Gomez, other than, perhaps, heartbreak from her on-again, off-again relationship with Justin Bieber. Yet, headlines … Continue reading →

Arthritis / arthritis blog / Awareness / chronic illness / instagram / invisible illness / Personal Stories / selfies / social media

Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain: Public Selfies & Private Illness

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” It’s one of the most powerful lines from the movie and book, The Wizard of Oz. It’s such a simple quote — so relevant to the scene, that we usually don’t think of the symbolism that lies within it. it got me thinking, though, about “the … Continue reading →

Advocacy / Arthritis / arthritis awareness / Ashley's Health Diary / Awareness / Journey to Wellness / Personal Stories / rheum awareness / Uncategorized / Wellness

Finding Faith During Times of Chaos

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 4 Comments

I’ve learned something: Illness turns many people away from God. Suffering makes many question their faith. However, these times of chaos and seemingly “ungodly” pain causes others to go the opposite direction, running towards God and embracing their faith with arms wide open. Of course, there are those of you who are agnostics and atheists, … Continue reading →

Advocacy / Arthritis / Journey to Wellness / Personal Stories / Wellness

Rant Time: Don’t “Quantify” the Sick Girl

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

You know how it’s rude to say things like, “you throw okay … for a girl.” Or, “you run pretty fast … for being so big.” It’s also somewhat insulting to say things like, “wow! You’ve accomplished so much … despite being sick.” No, I haven’t accomplished a lot “for being a sick girl.” I’ve … Continue reading →