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October 8, 2020October 6, 2020

JA-friendly Alternatives to Halloween Activities

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Despite being the biggest scaredy-cat who ever lived, I enjoyed some Halloween festivities as a child. While I avoided haunted houses and scary movies like the plague, I loved ... Read more

October 1, 2020September 29, 2020

Helping Kids With JA Cope With Medical Fears

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

My first juvenile arthritis flare was so intense I was hospitalized for a couple days. My pain was so severe that no one could touch me. Thankfully, I don’t ... Read more

September 24, 2020September 22, 2020

Parenting a Child With Juvenile Arthritis Requires Balance

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

When you say “juvenile arthritis,” many people imagine it’s the same disease that affects older people. (Hint: It’s not.) But despite having an “old person’s disease,” kids and teens ... Read more

September 17, 2020September 15, 2020

Overcoming Loneliness Caused by Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile arthritis can be such an isolating disease. Flares can cause you to miss out on activities and events. Doctors’ appointments may mean missing school and time with friends. ... Read more

September 10, 2020September 9, 2020

How to Stay Positive When Others Share Negative JA Experiences

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

There are groups for everything nowadays, especially online! I’m a member of several Facebook groups. I provide updates to the ladies on my crocheting group and offer advice about ... Read more

September 3, 2020September 1, 2020

Injuries Can Be a Big Deal With Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

While I like watching sports, I have never been an athletic person. So, naturally, gym class was always my least favorite. But my disdain for gym class went beyond ... Read more

August 27, 2020August 26, 2020

Getting a Diagnosis Sometimes Brings Considerable Relief

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

When I was a child dealing with undiagnosed juvenile arthritis, my mum struggled to have a provider listen to her concerns. I remember her telling me about the show ... Read more

August 13, 2020August 11, 2020

5 Overlapping Symptoms of JA and Depression

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Being a teen is tough, and it’s no secret that teens with juvenile arthritis tend to have higher incidences of anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Neither is ... Read more

August 6, 2020August 3, 2020

4 Ways to Ease the Pain of Biologic Injections

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

You’d think that the last thing a parent ever expects to learn is that their child has arthritis. But in reality, many people are more shocked to learn that ... Read more

July 30, 2020July 28, 2020

Sometimes Kids With Juvenile Arthritis Need Encouragement

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

I’ve heard it said that when you suffer from chronic pain, everything takes twice the effort. I know I feel that way, especially during flares, when it feels like ... Read more