Columns

July 18, 2019July 16, 2019

The Emotional Toll of Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

It was nearing the end of the semester, and I came home from seventh grade in tears. That wasn’t unusual in the hard year of coping with juvenile arthritis ... Read more

July 11, 2019July 9, 2019

Why Summer Is Hard for Teens with Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Summer was never my favorite time for fashion as a teenager. Shorts were too short, tank tops too revealing, and dresses didn’t provide sufficient coverage. Or, at least it ... Read more

June 27, 2019June 25, 2019

Hugs Can Be Painful for Kids with Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

People have always considered me to be standoffish. I wasn’t usually keen on giving hugs, and there were some people from whom I kept my distance. In fact, throughout ... Read more

June 20, 2019June 18, 2019

Coping with JA Swelling During the Summer Months

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

The kids in my neighborhood are officially out of school for the summer. The quiet side streets are filled with the sounds of children riding their bikes and playing ... Read more

June 13, 2019June 11, 2019

Sun Safety Tips for Kids with Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Summer was my favorite season as a child. At that time of year, my juvenile arthritis (JA) symptoms improved. Besides the warm weather helping my joints to feel less ... Read more

June 6, 2019June 4, 2019

Becoming an Adult with Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Many resources exist for children with juvenile arthritis (JA) and their families, from support groups to JA camp. At gatherings, we talk about all sorts of topics such as ... Read more

May 30, 2019May 28, 2019

How to Help Your Student with JA Survive Finals

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

There have been several times in my life that juvenile arthritis (JA) has made going to school difficult or even impossible. I remember once in high school, I had ... Read more

May 23, 2019May 22, 2019

Juvenile Arthritis Parents Can Find Encouragement, Support

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

“It’s funny how the hours feel endless, but the years fly by.” Many parents have told me how their children seem to grow up in the blink of an ... Read more

May 16, 2019May 15, 2019

‘Finding Dory’ Helps Make Sense of My Juvenile Arthritis Brain Fog

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

As a child, I was quick as a whip. While schoolwork didn’t come naturally to me, I loved to learn and worked hard. I graduated with many academic awards ... Read more

May 9, 2019May 7, 2019

Using a Wheelchair Can Make Theme Parks More Fun for Kids with JA

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Since I was a little girl, I’ve loved theme parks. Disney World in Orlando is my favorite vacation destination. But I will be the first to admit that theme ... Read more