2010 – Our “Blog Year” in review!

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Arthritis Ashley • 6 Comments

“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 →

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness

Water Aerobics and Aqua Exercise: Fun Fitness for All Ages and Abilities!

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Water aerobics are a great way to keep moving and a fun, fit way to start your new year off right! Yes, the Arthritis Foundation offers aquatics programs – and, yes, many senior citizens and older folks have arthritis. But, as we know, people of ALL ages can get arthritis, too – and water aerobics … Continue reading →

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Cozy Up but Keep On Moving: Tips for Staying Active in the Winter Months – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on December 22, 2010 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

For many across the country, the winter months mean colder weather. It is easy for anyone to use snow, rain, chilly air, or freezing temperatures as an excuse for becoming depressed and inactive during the winter season. It is REALLY easy for those of us with arthritis to do so. However, we must learn to … Continue reading →

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The Gift of Caring – How to Give Back This Holiday Season! – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on December 22, 2010 by Arthritis Ashley • Leave a comment

The holiday season is the perfect time to “give back” and show others – friends, family, and even strangers – how much you care! If there’s someone on your holiday shopping list who is impossible to buy for, why not consider donating to a charity – like the Arthritis Foundation – in their name? Or, … Continue reading →

Advocacy / Arthritis / Arthritis Foundation / Awareness / Personal Stories / Uncategorized / Wellness

Don’t Let Chronic Illness Steal Your Sparkle! – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Arthritis Ashley • 7 Comments

Do you approach everything from a bitter or dismal place because of your condition? Is there are a dark cloud surrounding you at all times? Do you take everything “the wrong way” because you are so on-edge and defensive of your illness? Is your main “identifier” that of a sick person? Has living with chronic … Continue reading →

Arthritis / Awareness / Uncategorized / Wellness

Creating a Stress-Free, Arthritis-Friendly Holiday Season by Ashley Boynes

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

The holidays can be stressful for anyone – but throw a chronic illness into the mix and, well, instead of that yummy sugar-cookie recipe, you could easily have a recipe for disaster. However, it doesn’t HAVE to be that way. Turn your holidays “nice” instead of “naughty” by following these easy, stress-reducing, arthritis-friendly tips this … Continue reading →

Arthritis / Awareness / Personal Stories / Uncategorized

Broken Dolls: The Things and People We Keep, Flaws and All ~ by Ashley Boynes

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Arthritis Ashley • 15 Comments

I’m not a hoarder. I do keep things, though, that are of great sentimental value. One of these many “things” is, to me, not just a “thing” but a very real part of my life. Her name is Winnie. She is a 27-year-old Cabbage Patch Kid doll. She is dirty. Her hair is braided in … Continue reading →

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“The Others” – What Do Our Healthy Friends & Family Members Feel About Our Arthritis? – by Ashley Boynes

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Arthritis Ashley • 2 Comments

Sometimes living with arthritis affects “innocent bystanders” nearly as much as it affects those of us living with it, but sadly they often get left by the wayside in the hurricane of all that comes with dealing with a chronic illness. We, as the patients, want to only view our condition from our own personal … Continue reading →

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Some Anecdotes & Some Silver Lining: Stories of arthritic hands, Lady Gaga, and advocating for yourself and your health! ~ Ashley’s Health Diary, Entry #26

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Arthritis Ashley • 5 Comments

Entry #26 – December 3rd, 2010 I’ve got a few interesting antecdotes to share in this entry, and so I’ll split it up into a few separate stories, if you all don’t mind! First let me tell you about my hands. (Bear with me here!) In a previous post, I bemoaned my “ugly hands” and … Continue reading →