Comments on: Celebrities and Rheumatoid Arthritis

By: Cheryl Childers

Cheryl Childers — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:56:41 +0000

Paula Abdul would be a great place to start.

By: Julie Woodard

Julie Woodard — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:38:17 +0000

I haven’t seen any recent articles, but Kathleen Turner also has been written about having RA. That was a pretty good article.

As for the put it behind her statement of the one lady, I can’t fault her for saying it. Woudn’t we all like to be able to put it behind us? If that is her attitude and what gets her through the day then more power to her.

By: Patients for a Moment #10 « DUNCAN CROSS

Patients for a Moment #10 « DUNCAN CROSS — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:04:12 +0000

[...] at RA Warrior blogs about Celebrities and Rheumatoid Arthritis – and suggests RA patients should be their own ‘celebrity’ advocates. (It might make [...]

By: Jennifer S.

Jennifer S. — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:31:01 +0000

I just ran across your blog and love it! My daughter has JRA and was fortunate to have met Meredith Boyd at the Arthritis Walk in Atlanta this year; my daughter still talks about meeting “Miss Meredith” and wants to be just like her when she grows up. I sure hope so! I wish there were more celebrity spokespeople out there for kids with arthritis to look up to. Meredith made a point to take the time during her busy schedule to meet with us and listen to my daughter’s story (among the other hundred kids there to meet her) and that is something she holds near and dear to her heart. She took the time to listen and that is the best gift anyone can give a child with arthritis. Meredith is definitely more than just a beauty queen, she is an amazing role model and I know it took a lot of courage for her to be so candid and share her personal story with arthritis to the world. For us, we are so grateful for everything she does for the Arthritis Foundation and especially the kids affected with this disease.

By: Jules

Jules — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:18:20 +0000

I thought about this a lot yesterday. I have to wonder if this is a “People Spin”. It could be, as Elizabeth said, she responded really well to her treatment and was positive about it and they used journalistic license to spin it as having put it behind her. If not, I am terribly disappointed in her.

That said- I would rather she be open and positive about HER treatment and get it out there than be like some of the other celebs who have hidden it from the world. Look at Kathleen Turner. She endured years of accusations of drug abuse and alcohol abuse, years of slams about her weight ballooning (as a “former” sexpot) and not until recently did she admit that during that time she was undergoing agressive treatment for RA. What was she ashamed of? Was it MORE acceptable in her eyes to be called fat, a drunk or a junkie than to admit that she was battling RA?

I, for one, would rather stand up and proudly fight. I would rather use any questions as an opportunity to educate. I would rather shout it from the rooftop than hide in the shadows embarrassed because my body is betraying me.

I would rather hear how wonderfully Ms. Manheim’s treatment worked for her and take hope in that- than have someone who is ashamed of her disease as “our” voice.

By: Sheila Dennis Toby via facebook

Sheila Dennis Toby via facebook — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:45:42 +0000

Don’t forget everyone experiences RA differently and there is also different levels of RA, some cases are only very mild, some cases moderate, some moderate to severe, and others severe. Plus as Elizabeth stated, we must also understand that she has obviously responded well to her meds. and not had joint damage.

By: Ellizabeth Ellis via facebook

Ellizabeth Ellis via facebook — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:45:00 +0000

Don’t you think it’s great though to read about someone that has responded really well to her meds and is able to get her life back on track, she is very lucky that she has not had any joint damage and is able to do all the sports she describes. It’s a shame that she didn’t use this article to highlight the enormous impact RA has on our lives but she can only speak about her own experience. It highlights once again what an enormous difference there is in peoples experience of living with RA.

By: Tracy Field Maclean via facebook

Tracy Field Maclean via facebook — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:44:19 +0000

I agree, we learn to live with and adjust to the diagnosis, but “put it behind” doesnt happen with a chronic, incurable and progressive disease!

By: Jana Pearson

Jana Pearson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:43:23 +0000

I’m in shock…”put it behind”. She has seriously done us wrong. I don’t believe Ms. Manheim has RA.