Living with RA / Managing RA Archives | Page 11 of 21 | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

Two Types of Progress & Shared Responsibility

April 6, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 20 Comments e-patient, Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms

Whoever decided that RA “progressing” means it gets worse probably didn’t have RA. RA progress is always bad I have a new symptom in both my hands today. When I try to hold onto something firmly, my hands cramp in pain and contort to an odd position. And I drop the whatever. This morning, it was an...Continue reading 20 Comments » Read more

Airport, Storms, and DMV: April Fool’s!

April 1, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 15 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA

April Fool’s Day held a surprise party by coming one day early this year for Katie Beth and me. We both fell asleep on our laptops last night without getting any work done. This morning, I see that before she fell asleep, she posted her Facebook status: “This day was UNREAL. Somebody wake me up. I am...Continue reading 15 Comments » Read more

Men and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Video PSA

March 28, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 46 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA, Men with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Video or podcast

Why a video about men and Rheumatoid Arthritis? This video PSA (public service announcement) is something that I have wanted to finish for months because the story about men and Rheumatoid Arthritis has not been told. I also believe that telling the story of men and RA will help everyone who lives with RA by creating...Continue reading 46 Comments » Read more

My Doctor Fired Me

March 25, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 152 Comments e-patient, Nuclear bone scan, Talking to doctors

Several times I’ve had to be dragged kicking and screaming to medical treatment. No one else did it for me; so I had to learn to drag myself. It was a long and harsh journey, but I determined to be an empowered patient and no longer an ostrich hoping that ignoring problems makes them go...Continue reading 152 Comments » Read more

Rosalind Russell: Rheumatoid Arthritis’ Most Glamorous Celebrity

March 21, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 22 Comments Celebrities and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Faith, History of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheum Disease in the Media

Rosalind Russell (Roz) may have been the most glamorous and famous woman to have Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, she shared three qualities with many others living with RA: She was determined, hopeful, and private. One of the most illustrious celebrities to live with Rheumatoid Arthritis was Rosalind Russell. Rosalind Russell (1907-1976) had an exceptional life, performing on Broadway...Continue reading 22 Comments » Read more

Easier Said Than Done: Simple Things That Seem Impossible

March 19, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 68 Comments Humor with RA, Rheumatoid arthritis disability, Transparency & living with RA

Does anyone ever make a suggestion that they think sounds so easy? The idea is simple, but the reality is more complicated. Sometimes even I imagine it will be easy, until it’s time to do it. Things people suggest for me to do that I find difficult. My brutally honest list. Call your insurance company. I sit...Continue reading 68 Comments » Read more

Adding RA to the SSD Compassion Allowances List?

March 18, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 26 Comments Autoimmune diseases, Patient advocacy, Rheumatoid arthritis disability

Hearings receive testimony on RA & other autoimmune diseases Hearings were held yesterday, March 16th, about adding some autoimmune diseases to a list of conditions deemed disabling enough to be given specific consideration and hopefully quicker Social Security Disability approval. The list, called the Compassionate Allowances List currently includes 88 conditions. This week’s hearing was the 7th...Continue reading 26 Comments » Read more