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 →

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 →

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Dear Santa: A Christmas Poem from a Patient

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 1 Comment

Dear Santa, Please make my wish come true. It’s a tall order, but I believe in you. Christmas miracles, they happen, right? If so, can you make me feel alright? I can do without glittery diamonds or wealth, I can even go without an Elf on the Shelf, All I want, Santa, is really my … Continue reading →

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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 →

Advocacy / Arthritis / arthritis awareness / arthritis blog / chronic illness / invisible illness / RA awareness / rheum awareness / rheumatoid arthritis awareness

Get Paid to Help Further Rheumatoid Arthritis & Autoimmune Research

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Arthritis Ashley • 3 Comments

Do you have rheumatoid arthritis? Do you want to play a part in helping further RA research? How about this — do you want to be paid for your time AND give back to charity, while you’re at it? With Sanguine, you will be able to donate blood so that researchers can study it to … 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 →