Living with chronic illness like RA Archives | Page 4 of 14 | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

Reaching Beyond Limitations: Nike versus Yoda

October 13, 2014October 5, 2019 Kelly O'Neill 61 Comments Inspiration for living with RA, Living with chronic illness like RA

“Not running sucks” & “Don’t just RUN your mouth” I stopped short when I saw this Nike t-shirt display in a mall recently. I had to get a picture of these t-shirts and ask the salesman, “Do you sell a lot of these? Do people like them?” He said they do. I just smiled and thanked...Continue reading 61 Comments » Read more

Could Divorce Be One More Pain from Rheumatoid Disease?

January 21, 2014October 5, 2019 Kelly O'Neill 28 Comments Invisible Illness, Living with chronic illness like RA

I’ve received several emails and messages from people living with Rheumatoid Disease (PRD) who have been divorced by a spouse, sometimes in part due to ways Rheumatoid Arthritis / Disease affects them. It’s sad to hear from a woman who can’t figure out how she’ll provide for her kids, or a mother whose kids were...Continue reading 28 Comments » Read more

Juggling Life and a Chronic Disease Like Rheumatoid

January 13, 2014October 5, 2019 Kelly O'Neill 25 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA, Transparency & living with RA, Unrelenting RA - Persistent disease

Usually when someone hears I have five children, they ask, “How?!” My answer is always the same: “One at a time.” They span about 15 years – it’s not like there were five toddlers at once. Actually, there was never more than one in diapers at a time – so my mom had it much...Continue reading 25 Comments » Read more

Sleepless in San Diego

October 25, 2013April 20, 2019 Kelly O'Neill 12 Comments American College of Rheumatology, Living with chronic illness like RA, Patient advocacy

Each fall, Katie Beth and I travel to wherever the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) holds its annual scientific meeting. Last night, we arrived in San Diego. 1) This is huge. The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation (RPF) is presenting an exhibit in the Exhibit Hall. 2) I’m speaking with two other RPF volunteers in a session on Tuesday...Continue reading 12 Comments » Read more

Wearing Caped Superman Socks! Accepting Limits & Still Trying Hard

October 9, 2013May 29, 2020 Kelly O'Neill 24 Comments Encouragement for living with RA, Faith, Living with chronic illness like RA

Superman socks and the to-do list Am I the only one who tries her heart out and falls far short day to day? Something tells me no. There’s a lot of pressure to get things done right now. And more things to do than time or strength to do them. Every morning I wonder which things on...Continue reading 24 Comments » Read more

20 Tips for Traveling with Rheumatoid Arthritis / Disease

September 5, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 28 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA, Tips for living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Flying with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a challenge Today as you read this, I’m doing my don’t-miss-the-plane dance. My close friends and family all know well how I start asking them a week before a trip to “pray I don’t miss the plane.” Really. I have missed the plane. Twice. I literally start preparing to catch a...Continue reading 28 Comments » Read more

Chronic Resilience: Strategies for Living with Chronic Illness

August 9, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 4 Comments Book review, Living with chronic illness like RA

My first glimpse of Chronic Resilience When Danea Horn contacted me last year to be interviewed for her upcoming book, Chronic Resilience I had no idea of her story. Danea was born with VACTERL Association, a rare kidney disorder. She has turned living with illness into a mission to explore redefining “positive” and to bring “creative affirmations”...Continue reading 4 Comments » Read more