Are There Gender Differences in RA?
It is fairly well known that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects women more often than men, but are there other gender differences in the condition? My new slideshow for HealthCentral looks at differences and possible causes for this: “There are many individual differences in how people experience rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is possible to generalize some…
The 5 Challenge
“Is this worth $5 of happiness?” This is a question my friend and sister-in-law Janet asks herself when tempted to purchase something slightly frivolous. It’s a great way to find out if you’re in the grip of an impulse that will evaporate the minute you leave the store, or whether you will actually be happy…
Trailblazers & Pathmakers: Women’s Leadership with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Me? A trailblazer? Apparently so, because I had the privilege of being invited to the Trailblazers & Pathmakers event at Queen’s Park hosted by The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. On an early April morning, I joined 99 amazing women to discuss issues surrounding women’s leadership. May I get real for a moment?…
Can Diet Effect Rheumatoid Arthritis?
There is a lot of talk in the RA community about using food to control symptoms. A new survey reveals how many people with rheumatoid arthritis actually respond to dietary changes: “Managing rheumatoid address (RA) includes a lot of tools, such as medication, physical therapy, pacing yourself, acupuncture, and more. Some people also use diet…
Caregiving for Aging Parents when You Have a Chronic Illness
Taking care of aging parents can be a challenge at the best of times, but even more so when you have a chronic illness. And yet, that chronic illness can uniquely qualify you to be a fantastic advocate for your mom and dad: “When you have a chronic illness, it can be enough of a…
12: Blogiversary Thoughts on How We Learn from Each Other
Way back in the beginning of my blogging career, no one told me that I would learn far more than I would teach. Much of blogging — particularly in the beginning — feels a bit one-sided. Someone once told me that with a blog I was “in a position to inform.” This made me feel…
How to Interview a Doctor & Why You Should
Have you ever interviewed a doctor before signing on as the patient? Not many people do — we just cross our fingers and hope for the best. In my new post for HealthCentral, I tell you all about how to interview a doctor and why you should: “As a person with a rheumatoid arthritis (RA),…
Petite and Pudgy Looking for Timeless Fashion
I had a medical appointment fairly close to the Eaton Centre and it being that time a year where I stand in front of my closet bemoaning the lack of appropriate clothes therein, it seemed like kismet. So I headed to the building with many, many stores ready to give someone money so they could…
The Importance of Sleep with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Write what you know, right? So I wrote about how important sleep is when you have RA: “Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects all areas of your life, including the ability to participate in your family, community, and work. It also affects your appetite, moods, and the ability to get a good night’s sleep. Anxiety about life…
Exciting Ways to Advocate for Rheumatoid Arthritis
It’s Arthritis Awareness Month in the US and to celebrate, I’ve collected nine ways to advocate for RA (and yourself). My new slideshow for HealthCentral starts like this: “There are a lot of misperceptions about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and they can make it more difficult to live with this condition. You have the power to…
Walking for You, Walking for Me
There are so many reasons why I do the Walk to Fight Arthritis. I grew up in a time when there were no treatments for RA and most ended up in wheelchairs with severe deformities, like me. These days, rheumatoid arthritis is becoming an invisible illness because of new advances in treatment and progress is…
Infertility and Miracle Babies: The Story of the Tinks
April 23-29 is National Infertility Awareness Week in the US and today, my sister Janne tells her story of infertility, treatment, and two amazing miracle babies. Many of you have followed the Tinks from they were born, but you may not know that they came to be because of infertility treatment. The Tinks at 2…