Empathy and RA Archives | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

When Our Strength Works Against Us

March 20, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 44 Comments Empathy and RA, Pain Tolerance / RA Stoicism

Last month, I called your attention to an article that truthfully presented the reality of Rheumatoid Disease, asking you to thank the site – and many of you commented there. One exchange reminded me of many I’ve seen over the years. Carly made a tricky point that seems like a catch-22 (no-win situation). Norma’s response...Continue reading 44 Comments » Read more

What RA Is Like: Heavy Armor Hindered Medieval Warriors

July 30, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly Young 22 Comments Empathy and RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness

Researchers at Leeds in the UK studied how medieval soldiers were affected by the weight of the armor (approximately 40-50 kg or 80-90 lbs). Researchers wore replicas of European armor while monitoring oxygen usage. The subjects’ breathing was more frequent and shallow as they used twice as much energy just to move around. “Being wrapped in...Continue reading 22 Comments » Read more

You’re Not Lost and Michael Bublé Video

December 6, 2010May 15, 2018 Kelly Young 21 Comments Empathy and RA, Inspiration for living with RA, Video or podcast

“You are not alone.” I don’t think I can put into words what I want to say. Fortunately, this song Lost sung by Michael Bublé already did. God is good and things come at the right time, like this song that I listened to all weekend. And like the way “the light comes pouring through many of...Continue reading 21 Comments » Read more

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support: My Nicest Examples

July 19, 2010May 15, 2018 Kelly Young 50 Comments Empathy and RA, Rheumatoid arthritis support

Rheumatoid Arthritis support: 3 sources This blog is about the nicest thing that someone has done for me since I became ill with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It’s not tough to decide, but it’s tough to talk about. First, there are some honorable mentions. 1) There’s that first good doctor who confirmed my diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Support from the...Continue reading 50 Comments » Read more

Living with a Spouse with Chronic Illness, part 2

July 2, 2010May 15, 2018 Kelly Young 21 Comments Empathy and RA, Guest post on RA Warrior, Inspiration for living with RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness

Understanding a spouse with Rheumatoid Arthritis This is the second part of a story about a spouse with Rheumatoid Arthritis. In Living with a Spouse with Chronic Illness, part 1, Michael described the surprising process of learning to recognize the amount of chronic pain that Rheumatoid Arthritis brought his wife Deborah. He explained that it was...Continue reading 21 Comments » Read more

Sympathy and Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

November 19, 2009May 17, 2018 Kelly Young 54 Comments Empathy and RA, Living with chronic illness like RA

Are there any sympathy rules for living with Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms? The other night, one of my boys said to another, “I’m not doing that. You do it. I’m sick.” Nothing serious – there have been several courses of cold and flu in my household recently. But, I raised my eyebrow. Of course you can think faster...Continue reading 54 Comments » Read more

Part 4: Considering Methotrexate as a Disease Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

But you don’t look sick: making methotrexate work in your favor Some people fear taking it because they say, “Hey, that it is chemotherapy!” which makes it sound so menacing. I read one post of a woman who actually discontinued methotrexate treatment because she realized that it is a chemo-type drug. It was working against her psychologically...Continue reading Make a Comment » Read more

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Curriculum

September 9, 2009May 17, 2018 Kelly Young 29 Comments American College of Rheumatology, Empathy and RA, Faith, Humor with RA, Invisible Illness

Back to school: Rheumatoid Arthritis education There are so many things that Rheumatoid Arthritis teaches us. We wish the whole world could be educated the way that we have been. That is why many of us write blogs about Rheumatoid Arthritis. Imagine others could receive that same education directly. Imagine you could loan out your RA the way...Continue reading 29 Comments » Read more

Some Answers for Rheumatoid Arthritis Just Bring More Questions

September 1, 2009May 17, 2018 Kelly Young 29 Comments Empathy and RA, Humor with RA

If stress weakens my immune system, why doesn’t that cure me? And other weird questions about RA no one will answer… Many people advise me to avoid stress since it can weaken the immune system. I’m sorry, but there’s just something funny about that. I’ve been sort of afraid to ask, but don’t I WANT my immune system...Continue reading 29 Comments » Read more

The Me Before Rheumatoid Arthritis

July 7, 2009May 17, 2018 Kelly Young 73 Comments Empathy and RA, Rheumatoid arthritis disability, Transparency & living with RA

Let me introduce you to the me you can never meet: The Me Before Rheumatoid Arthritis If you have RA, you spend lots of time adjusting to change. For me, the biggest adjustment has been to the disability. First, there is frustration that I cannot do what I still want to do. But the “old me” is still...Continue reading 73 Comments » Read more

Empathy for Rheumatoid Arthritis Support

May 27, 2009May 17, 2018 Kelly Young 3 Comments Communicating about RA, Empathy and RA, Invisible Illness

Empathy for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Zero to 60 in 15 Seconds Wouldn't it be great if someone could understand how we're doing and have empathy for rheumatoid arthritis? Imagine describing how RA makes you feel in 15 seconds flat. We lament the fact that there is a wide world out there that just “doesn’t get it.” My own world is the...Continue reading 3 Comments » Read more

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