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

Coping while Giving Back: The Health Benefits of Doing Good by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Lately, I’ve been astounded by the amount of people who comment upon my strength and positivity in the face of my multiple health problems. A lot of them have the same question: how do I cope? I have thought about it, and I’d like to answer that question for you now. The truth is — … Continue reading

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

The “Intangibles” of Rheumatoid Arthritis & Chronic Illness by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Living with any illness is a challenge; but having an “invisible” illness is especially difficult. How can you make people understand your condition when  your symptoms and your disabilities are often hidden? Yesterday, I had a rare weak moment where I was very much struggling to stay positive. Since we’re all human and entitled to … Continue reading

Uncategorized

An “Arthritis Ashley” Update: Marriage, Lupus, and Loving Life! – Ashley’s Health Diary – Entry #29 – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

July 15, 2011  It has been a while since I’ve written in my online “Health Diary” and updated you all on my health progress and how I’ve been, and so I figured that I am well overdue! First off, I’m now a Mrs!  I got married to the love of my life, Mike, on the … Continue reading

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

There’s Always Rheum to Be Social! Online Support for Arthritis – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Many folks with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, myositis, and other related rheumatic conditions may have a hard time getting “out and about” to socialize. Friendships and relationships may take a toll; some are unable to work or attend school any longer. So, to avoid the isolation, loneliness, and depression that can often come with a disability … Continue reading

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

Rheumatoid Arthritis: How Is RA Diagnosed? – Ashley Boynes

As you may know, there are many varying forms of arthritis. Sometimes, it is even hard for doctors to figure out which one you may have! Is it Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis? Lupus? Sjogren’s Syndrome? Ankylosing Spondylitis? Fibromyalgia? The American College of Rheumatology has a set of guidelines that doctors/rheumatologists are to follow when making … Continue reading

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Ashley's Health Diary / Awareness / Fibromyalgia / Juvenile Arthritis / Types of Arthritis / Uncategorized / Wellness

Check out Track + React: A New Online Interactive Arthritis Self-Management Tool – by Ashley Boynes

The Arthritis Foundation is striving to help cultivate an interactive online arthritis nation to help people live better with arthritis. In doing so, they’ve created an awesome new interactive online tool called Track + React – and the best part is, it’s FREE! People with any form of arthritis or rheumatic disease can log on … Continue reading

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

Yoga and Arthritis – Some Facts and Some Testimonies – by Ashley Boynes

I have taken traditional yoga classes, read up on chair yoga, and am about to embark upon the adventure of bikram hot yoga, and so I wanted to first do some research and find out how beneficial yoga really is for arthritis. Of course, the first step for me  – and for any of you … Continue reading

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

In a Perfect World – A Life Without Illness: What Would You Do? – by Ashley Boynes

 Today there was a “trending topic” on Twitter that simply said, “Serious Question” and provoked users to ask their followers a serious question to answer. I thought about what I’d like to hear from my “tweeps” – especially those who are chronically ill or disabled – and the question I decided to pose was, “We … Continue reading

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

Autoimmune Overlap Syndrome – Yes, There IS Such a Thing! – by Ashley Boynes

I recently was told that I have “autoimmune overlap syndrome.”  This is exactly what it sounds like. Whereas most people have 1 or 2 autoimmune conditions, I, like many other “spoonies” out there, have been dealt a whole slew of them. Basically, what this is, is when you have one “primary” condition and a few … Continue reading

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

The Very Merry Month of May: Arthritis & Lupus Awareness – by Ashley Boynes

May is both Arthritis Awareness and Lupus Awareness Month in the United States. Let’s take advantage of this fact in order to spread the word and to educate others about these conditions. Stumped on how to spread awareness? Increasing education and visibility are key. By improving upon these areas, we can further spread awareness, which … Continue reading