I’m not liberal enough for Democrats or conservative enough for Republicans. I’m not Christian enough for Christians, but I’m Christian enough to have atheists and agnostics mock me. I’m smart enough to have been accepted into Mensa and to possess a near-genius-level IQ, but I’m not smart enough that people meet me and immediately notice my … Continue reading
Advocating for Arthritis and Rheumatic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Today was the last day of the 2014 Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C. According to the official website, “The Advocacy Summit is an annual event when people living with and affected by arthritis come from every corner of the United States to convene in Washington, DC.. There they learn how to … Continue reading
The Arthritis Foundation Has the Resources You Need – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
The Arthritis Foundation, Mid Atlantic Region, is now proud to offer a special Resource Folder that volunteers can pick up at any of their offices. Volunteers may take this new informational folder to your rheumatologist to spread the word about getting Arthritis Foundation resources in more doctor offices. You will be able to leave this … Continue reading
Loving Yourself Even with Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
When you love someone — a partner, a spouse, a friend, a parent, a child, a sibling, and so on — do you love them even through their imperfections? Are we not taught to accept others, flaws and all? Most of us, of course, care for our loved ones unconditionally. We look past … Continue reading
Ancient Methods of Pain Relief – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
It’s always amazing to see how far science and medicine have come. I thought it would be interesting for us arthritis patients to learn more about ancient methods of pain relief and old-fashioned arthritis treatments! Here are some interesting “old-school” methods of managing pain: Cupping Therapy: Cupping is an ancient form of Traditional Chinese … Continue reading
The Law of Attraction and Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
I’m a big fan of the infamous book and documentary film, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. However, there were some parts of it that I just could not wrap my head around. How could a group of thousands of people, for example, “attract” such horrific events such as 9/11 or the Newtown shootings? How … Continue reading
Fatigue vs. Being Tired: What’s the Difference? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
To put it simply: being tired is NOT the same thing as having fatigue. The type of fatigue that comes along with chronic illness and autoimmune diseases is unlike any other kind of exhaustion that most healthy people will experience in their lives. As an “e-patient” and an online advocate for people with rheumatic and … Continue reading
Difficult Decisions for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
Being a rheumatoid arthritis patient or someone who lives with any chronic illness, really, leads us to sometimes have to make tough decisions that others may not have to face. Some of these decisions may be difficult or disheartening, and, like most life decisions, need to be considered carefully. One major decision that RA (and … Continue reading
What’s the 2014 Arthritis Forecast? – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
2013 was a great year with many arthritis-related accomplishments and medical advances. But, 2014 stands to prosper just as well. Instead of looking back with a usual “best of” or “top 10″ list in regards to the year that has passed, let us welcome in 2014 by looking forward, and seeing what the future could … Continue reading
Lupus for Christmas – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck
I got Lupus for Christmas. And Sjögrens Syndrome, too. They were wrapped up in a nice little package to go with my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Celiac Disease, and tied up with an imaginary bow. I didn’t get coal in my stocking, but I got the motherlode of autoimmune illness, delivered not by Santa, but by my … Continue reading
