Blog Articles About chronic illness

an illustration of hands showing red circles on joints. Some of the fingers are bent with RA joint changes.

Do You Have ‘Visible’ or ‘Invisible’ Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Look at the Pros and Cons

Whether or not your chronic illness is obvious to others can affect how you’re treated — and sometimes, how you feel about yourself. I write about the benefits and drawbacks of visible and invisible RA for CreakyJoints Caanda: “One glance at my hands will tell you I have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They show the classic…

Read More

Made With RA: Dealing With FOMO When You Have RA

It’s so hard to miss out on all the fun and important things because rheumatoid arthritis got in the way (AGAIN!). In my new column for HealthCentral, I share ways of being flexible so you can you work around the barriers: “WHENEVER I HEAR a healthy person talking about FOMO (fear of missing out), I want…

Read More

Made With RA: Four Times in Life When RA Needs Come First

You’ve trained yourself to push through the pain and fatigue that can come with your condition. But sometimes, it’s OK to let rheumatoid arthritis (RA) be the boss. In this column for HealthCentral, I share four times when your RA should comes first: ““YOU CAN’T POUR from an empty cup.” No matter how often I enjoy…

Read More

Made With RA: How to Create Your RA “Go Team”

Living with rheumatoid arthritis is hard at times. In my new column for HealthCentral, I write about the importance of an emotional support team and which roles can especially help in different situations: ““I NEED YOUR help.” There will always be times in your life when you can’t do it all alone. When you have rheumatoid…

Read More

When Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Is Worse Than Pain: How I Cope

Fatigue is the bane of my exsitence. In my new artcile for CreakyJoints Canada, I share how RA fatigue affects my life and the strategies I use to cope: “I live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fatigue. To the uninitiated, this sounds like I’m a bit tired all the time. But it’s much more than that….

Read More

Having A Swish: How Self-Pity Can Help You Cope Better with Chronic Illness

Living with chronic illness is often difficult. There are medical appointments, work, family, keeping the dust bunnies (buffalo?) under control and it goes on and on. Not being able to stop and rest and heal makes it even harder. There’s a lot of pressure to keep going in with a stiff upper lip, not complaining,…

Read More

How to Soldier On When RA Requires Real Bravery

The meds make you feel sick, but you’ve still got to take them, and the doctor visits feel endless. In th itmn for HealthCentral, I share tips for getting through the hard times with rheumatoid arthritis: “WE DO IT silently and behind a smile. We do it with a grimace and a groan. We do it…

Read More

Finding Control When RA Takes the Wheel

RA is not the boss of you, though it often feels that way. In this column for HealthCentral, I write about how to reclaim agency over your life: “I HAVE NOT been in full control of my life for over five decades. That’s how long I’ve lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an unpredictable condition that regularly…

Read More

What the Pandemic Can Teach Us About Having an Easier Holiday Season with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Although recreating festive traditions in exactly the way we used to may feel like a way to reclaim our lives, it can perpetuate old and dysfunctional habits. Instead, try these tips for easier and happier holidays with rheumatoid arthritis in my new article for CreakyJoints Canada: “Ahh, the holidays. I love everything about this season…

Read More

How to Become Friends Again with Your Body After Feeling Betrayed by Rheumatoid Arthritis

For a very long time, I felt that having rheumatoid arthritis meant that my body had betrayed me. But in the moment of profound insight, I realized that my body was not an enemy to resent, but a partner to support. In my new article for CreakyJoints Canada, I write about how I became friends with…

Read More

I Have Rheumatoid Arthritis, But Please Don’t Call Me a Patient

I have been involved in chronic illness and advocacy for a long time, but the terms ‘patient,’ ‘patient advocate,; or ‘patient expert’ has never sat well with me. In my new article for CreakyJoints Canada, I talk about why: “I dance every day, but not to music. As someone with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I spend…

Read More

Removing the “Ick Factor” From RA Meds

Like it or not (and mostly it’s not), medication is part of living with RA. But when you’re not used to swallowing pills or giving yourself an injection, how do you get to a point where it’s less intimidating or gross? In my new column for HealthCentral, I share my pro tips to get the…

Read More