Comments on: Woman’s Day’s Article: Rheumatoid Arthritis Information

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:52:42 +0000

Sue, your reply to Woman’s Day is tremendous! I have the same anemia & several other RA “companion diagnoses” – you are so right! We don’t even mention all these other diagnoses we have that go with it because we are so used to it. Maybe that would help them get a clue.
I haven’t been successful at getting Woman’s Day to read my website, so I hope you sent your reply too them directly also. So far I have emailed, called, and faxed them with no reply yet. Below the post is info on how to do that for anyone who wants to.

By: Sue Powe

Sue Powe — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:08:27 +0000

The way Woman’s day put RA is like having a bad case of acne that leaves some pot marks. It’s bad but you can deal with it.
RA shortens persons by 10-15 years from the complications that damage the heart and other organs. Our immune systems are literally attacking our bodies like ninjas in the night. When I talk to people about RA they say oh yea my hand hurts when it rains, or see my knuckles I have arthritis. They look at me, no disfigured joints and they think I am making this all up.
I have Anemia of Chronic Illness, it is part of the RA. before you say to take more iron you need to know that taking more iron does nothing for this type of anemia. It is treated with bone marrow transplants and transfusion not a simple iron tablet.
Fashion hasn’t past RA by either, we have special shoes. Google “arthritis shoes” then look for the RA shoe section. You will be surprised at the market for RA shoes. Yes we have to have special shoes do to the changes in our skin and shape of our feet. The changes are quite different from Osteoarthritis which affect the bones in the toes.
Think of it this way, there are different types of lumps in the breast. Some are benign and annoying and then there is cancer. Think of the RA and Osteoarthritis the same way. Osteoarthritis hurts your joints and is annoying and RA hurts your muscles, tendons, and organs, and your heart is one of those muscles that is affected. The mortality rate is 10-15 years shorter life span than a non-RA person. I think that changes the game plan just a tad don’t you think? We woman are networking on social sites, working to find a commonality in our diagnosis and more importantly to be recognized as having an autoimmune that is real and very complicated to treat.

By: Alicia Hoover

Alicia Hoover — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:31:06 +0000

Wow, I gave them a little sarcastic bit of my mind!! It’s amazing~! with this disease I didn’t know that a quick swim would “make it all better”!!! I will go out and buy a pool ASAP!! LOL

By: Tweets that mention Woman’s Day’s Article: Rheumatoid Arthritis Information | Reality check | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior -- Topsy.com

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 07:44:56 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Clare Nolan, Kelly Young: Blog post: Woman's Day's Article: Rheumatoid Arthritis Information http://bit.ly/5OGxo1 [...]

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:15:03 +0000

Michelle,
Good for you!! Last I checked there were about 40 replies on there – many of which were a result of this article. Be sure you read part 2. I’ve written several emails to ask the Arthritis Foundation to comment on Woman’s Day’s position. They do not reply.

It seems as if media have dug in their heels & said that their version of RA is real & we are just whining. I read articles which mis-represent RA every day. I can’t help but think that’s related to experiences like I just wrote about here.

Recently, there were inacurracies in an article on ABC News’ website. I politely replied & my comment was deleted. I replied again & it was deleted. I wrote a letter of complaint asking to have it posted. I have not yet seen a reply. I would really rather just fight the disease than have this too. But we won’t get support for a cure for a disease that’s really no “big deal.”

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:25:35 +0000

On the Woman’s Day article. I was shocked and appalled by their inaccuracy. I was insulted by the healthy woman in the pool and I left them a serious note of disapproval. thanks for the link to the mag article. I am trying to do more writing and when I am not in pain, I find that blogging and responding to inaccuracies in these kinds of things a bit of a cathartic relief. Must close now for the “ice Pick” has just started to stab my finger joints. Rest is tough when you want to eventually make your living as a writer. What doesn’t kill us does make us stronger

By: bkenney1

bkenney1 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:55:06 +0000

Hi Kelly,

I follow your blog regularly, which I think is great. Because of your commitment to raising awareness about RA, I thought you might interested in learning about a new program that we will be launching focused on RA.

I did not have your email address, but I am including mine so I hope to hear from you and I can share more details. Feel free to shoot me an email at your convenience as we would value your input.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Brian

Brian Kenney
Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:49:20 +0000

I will for sure.

By: MissDazey

MissDazey — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:45:32 +0000

I added my 2 cents worth, wanted to write more, but found myself getting too upset. This is one of those fluff pieces I swear is paid for by the major pharma companies.

However, I am happy you got to the beach and could enjoy some time with your family. That is what is most important in life. Making memories to share for years and years.

Kelly, I wrote a blog about my best friend and the miracle they had. Hope you will read it.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:28:35 +0000

Gosh, Anonymous,
Isn't it unbelieveable how far reality is from what is being presented about RA? It is just not possible I guess to believe it is as bad as we say it is…

But, I am NOT giving up.
I hope everyone will take a few moments and tell WD mag what is what – nicely.