Rheumatoid arthritis disability Archives | Page 2 of 5 | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

I Want My Life Back

June 17, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 65 Comments Inspiration for living with RA, Rheumatoid arthritis disability, Unrelenting RA - Persistent disease

RA can hurt so bad that even tough guys cry. Lately, I’ve cried for a different reason. I want my life back so much. I want to run on the beach, but I stumble running to the bathroom. I want to hold a tennis racquet, but most days can’t hold a TV remote properly. Want to...Continue reading 65 Comments » Read more

The Now-I-Understand Abbott Suit for Rheumatoid Arthritis

June 9, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 33 Comments Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness, Rheumatoid arthritis disability, Video or podcast

What’s the one thing I’ve said more than anything else over the last five years? “No one understands.” I sigh it quietly. I mutter it under my breath. I exclaim it loudly in frustration. I struggle to say it through tears. But I don’t think I’ve ever blogged it. Who doesn’t understand? The professional people I associate with...Continue reading 33 Comments » Read more

Encouragement: with a Little Help from My Friends

April 4, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 23 Comments Emotions and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Encouragement for living with RA, Rheumatoid arthritis disability

Don’t you want me to help you with that? No. I want to be able to do it myself. I can do that for you. I know you can, I wish I could. Is there anything I can do? No, I want to feel like I can do something. Do you have any problem asking for help? Or...Continue reading 23 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

Sleep Quality Affects Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis

February 17, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 16 Comments Research on Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis disability, Rheumatoid Arthritis sleep

The relationship between Rheumatoid Arthritis, sleep, and disability A small study in 2009 confirmed “Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) negatively affect women's sleep.” It’s no surprise that Rheumatoid Arthritis impacts the sleep of many patients. Most patients could tell you why: pain, medication side effects, and emotional frustration or depression about chronic illness, chronic pain, and...Continue reading 16 Comments » Read more

The “Can’t” Question with Rheumatoid Arthritis

August 30, 2010May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 61 Comments Communicating about RA, Rheumatoid arthritis disability

If someone has a broken leg or a sprained ankle, there is no question about whether he can walk the dog or run in a race. Rheumatoid Arthritis pain and weakness is invisible to the naked eye, but it’s similar to an injury in some ways. Sometimes, the injured person can’t do the same things...Continue reading 61 Comments » Read more