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February 6, 2020February 5, 2020

5 Ways Young Children Express Pain from JA

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

From a young age, I liked to draw to express my feelings. Drawing helped me to communicate how juvenile arthritis was making me feel. The joints on all my ... Read more

January 30, 2020January 28, 2020

3 Myths About Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

I loved watching “Schoolhouse Rock!” in school. I don’t think I would have learned the 8 times multiplication table without the song “Figure Eight.” And you better believe I ... Read more

January 23, 2020January 21, 2020

Positive Thoughts Can’t Cure Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Instagram is by far my favorite social media platform. (You can follow me @girlwitharthritis.) I love to scroll through pictures and post about my arthritis journey. Most of the ... Read more

January 16, 2020January 14, 2020

Dealing with Arthritis in the Jaw Joint

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

My boyfriend and I were binge-watching “The Mandalorian” on a recent Sunday morning. I was so relaxed that I let out a big yawn. But as I opened my ... Read more

January 9, 2020January 7, 2020

Eye Complications Can Be Silent but Serious for Kids with JA

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

A few weeks ago, I couldn’t focus my eyes on anything. Everything was blurry, and it was uncomfortable to read or look at a screen. I tried closing my ... Read more

January 2, 2020December 19, 2019

Kids with Juvenile Arthritis Benefit from Pet Ownership

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Did you know that Shih Tzus were bred to be foot warmers for the royalty in China? My little dog, Gracie, is a living foot warmer. She loves snuggling ... Read more

December 19, 2019December 17, 2019

Think Twice When Choosing Skin Care Products as Gifts for Kids with JA

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

As I searched online for Christmas presents for my loved ones recently, I browsed selections of pre-made gift kits. Many of them were bath or skin care based. I ... Read more

December 12, 2019December 10, 2019

Flu Season Is the Scariest Time of the Year When You Have JA

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Halloween has passed, but the scariest time of the year has just begun: cold and flu season. Winter can be unsettling when you have juvenile arthritis. Some medications used ... Read more

December 5, 2019December 3, 2019

Queen Elsa from ‘Frozen 2’ Inspires Me to Move Out of My Comfort Zone

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

I loved every moment of seeing “Frozen 2” in the theater, from the visually stunning scenes to the songs that prompted a dance party with the children sitting behind ... Read more

November 21, 2019November 19, 2019

Juvenile Arthritis Is Inconsistent, Not Me

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

My juvenile arthritis (JA) keeps me guessing. One day, my knee will bother me continuously; the next, the pain will have moved to my neck. Sometimes I’ll have one ... Read more