Blog Articles About Juvenile Arthritis

My First memories of Juvenile Arthritis

#RAblog Week is a seven day event from September 21-27, 2015. The brainchild of Rick Phillips, the goal of this week is to raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis and build community. Hop on over to the RADiabetes site to learn more about #RABlog Week and find links to other participants.For Day 6 of #RABlog Week,…

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A Letter to Someone Who Has Just Been Diagnosed with RA

#RAblog is a seven day event from September 21-27, 2015. The brainchild of Rick Phillips, the goal of this week is to raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis and build community. Up on over to the RADiabetes site to learn more about #RABlog Week and find links to other participants. Hey you, I want you to…

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Why Me? Thoughts on Having a Chronic Illness

We’ve all asked the question at some point. Why me? Why did I get rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, migraine, Crohn’s, psoriasis, etc.? It is an existential howl of despair into the darkness, asking that most fundamental of questions. Why did this happen to me? Closely on the heels of that question follows the expanded version:…

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The Walk to Fight Arthritis: Making a Bad Day Good

I’d committed to doing the 5K in the Walkto Fight Arthritis this past Sunday and was very much looking forward to it. There was no reason to believe that I wouldn’t be able to do it — in the last year, I’ve wandered around various areas of the city for 5 km or more on…

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Preparing for a Hip Replacement: What They Don’t Tell You

Helping my mother through her hip replacement has come with a rather sharp realization. Among all the information and training they give you – and they do give you a lot — there are a number of things they don’t tell you. Crucial things. Things you need to know to make your recovery from a…

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Becoming Bionic: A Story from the Dark Ages of Rheumatology

Updated May 19, 2020 When I was 16, I had both my hips replaced. When I talk about it, I usually focus on the way they liberated me from more than two years of lying in a hospital bed. They enabled me to sit in a power wheelchair and to go home. I don’t talk about…

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#TBT Courtesy of Donny Osmond

I was out on the town yesterday, a mutual Christmas present between David’s sister and myself. We went to see Donny and Marie: Christmas in Toronto. Yes, the Donny and Marie with the last name of Osmond. From the varying reactions we had when we shared our plans, it’s obvious that this is not to…

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Thoughts on Walking and Not

This is a photograph from the last summer I walked. It’s the summer of 1976 and we’re at a cottage rented by my parents. Standing with me are my little sister — then actually little — and my best friend AB. We’re spending two weeks in this cottage made of wood, the exterior walls painted…

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Dawn is Running for Kids with Juvenile Arthritis

Only days ago, I mentioned how anything to do with juvenile arthritis is very near to my heart. And then the universe provided me with the opportunity to talk to an exceptional woman who is doing something beautiful to help fund research for kids with arthritis at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.  I’d like you…

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Me & Dr. B on Health

As you may know, July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Months and not surprisingly, it’s a cause close to my heart. Dr. B. on Health is an excellent program, available both online and in iTunes. Throughout July, Dr. B focused on various aspects of juvenile arthritis. Check out his archives and take a listen. I was…

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Live Bold Live Now Launch!

Remember this? Photo Credit: David Govoni Three months ago, I had a film crew following me around for two days while I told my story of living with RA, the big flare and reinventing my life afterwards. And today, you can see the result of all the hard work! Over the next few weeks, I’ll…

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Living with Juvenile Arthritis Giveaway – Winner

I lied.  Well, I didn’t exactly lie when I said the winner in the Living with Juvenile Arthritis: a Parent’s Guide giveaway would be announced on January 31. I had every intention of doing so, but there’s a saying about the road to a really warm place and good intentions that fits here. It’s been…

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