The Girl With Arthritis

(Resharing this from 2021)  When I first started this column, I had so many things I wanted to share with families coping with juvenile arthritis (JA). I’ve written about everything from making home injections less painful to ergonomic backpacks. As this will be my last column, I wanted to share the most important thing I’ve learned over the years. The most valuable piece of advice I can pass on has nothing to do with treatments, doctors, accommodations, or arthritis hacks. It’s that you need to hold on to hope and remember that a life with JA can still be a happy one. Even if the future looks a little different than you expected. Read the full article at juvenilearthritisnews.com

 I have been told I'm a patient person when it comes to dealing with other people. I especially received a lot of compliments on my patience when I was in college and worked as a tutor and as a teacher's assistant. I loved working with students, appreciating their effort and dedication to learning, even when it was hard or took awhile. Why, oh why, isn't it easy to be patient with myself? I can acknowledge that I have psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and should be patient with myself, especially during flares. But I also have a life and responsibilities to care for, and I can't just wait around for better days. Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

Please don't judge me based on my good days. Looks can be deceiving for someone with a chronic illness. What looks like a good day might actually be a good day. Or it might be a good few hours. Or it could be someone doing their best to function through the pain. You don't honestly know what someone is going through, especially when they have lived with the pain for a long time. You'd be surprised how much pain people can learn to smile through. Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

Fatigue is a noteworthy symptom of PsA. With fatigue, most people immediately think of its physical effects, but it's just as important to mention the mental impact as well. Fatigue is a symptom that precedes and coincides with my flares. So not only does it hurt to get around, but I physically feel like I can't. Personally speaking, fatigue has had a profound effect on my life. In addition to my body being tired, so is my brain. My brain feels fried, and I drop the ball... a lot. When I wake up with some energy, I know the worst of it is over. Read the full article at psoriatic-arthritis.com.

I was lucky enough to have about a year-and-a-half-long remission from psoriatic arthritis (PsA) - and it was just as you would think - absolutely fabulous. It fell right around my senior year of high school and first semester of college, letting me spend those times like any other teenager. But it would be a lie to say PsA wasn’t still a concern during this blissful period. Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

Being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis at any age is rough, but it can be especially challenging in childhood and young adulthood. No one sees the struggle and pain: they see a young face and assume you have the energy and strength of any young person. While I do sometimes appreciate being able to hide my illness, there are lots of times I wish others could see I was struggling. Click here to read the full article at Psoriatic-Arthritis.com.

Photo credit: Psoriatic-arthritis.com Here's a controversial opinion: good shoes for people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) do not always have to be expensive. There, I said it. There's a lot to unpack in that statement. I am not implying that any old shoe from the clearance rack will work for you. Nor am I saying that you shouldn't consider investing in well-made orthopedic shoes; footwear is an excellent investment, and some brands are known lifesavers.  Read the full post at psoriatic-arthritis.com