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March 14, 2019March 13, 2019

5 Tips for Dealing with Insomnia Caused by Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

It can be hard to sleep when something is disturbing you. Room temperature, too much light, and sound are all simple things that can make it difficult to sleep. ... Read more

March 7, 2019March 6, 2019

The Emotional Impact of Weight Loss from Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

It wasn’t the first time a medicine caused me to lose my appetite, nor would it be the last. It was summer vacation, and my friends had all just ... Read more

February 28, 2019February 27, 2019

Kids with Juvenile Arthritis Require Regular Uveitis Screenings

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

At age 14, I was lucky enough to spend a week at a sleepaway camp for kids with juvenile arthritis. My parents felt a lot of comfort in knowing ... Read more

February 21, 2019February 20, 2019

Irritability’s Role in Juvenile Arthritis and How to Address It

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

As a child, I rarely cried and complained about juvenile arthritis (JA) pain. I don’t think I ever told my parents when I was having a bad day. Instead, ... Read more

February 14, 2019February 13, 2019

Gifts of Love for Your Child with Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Valentine’s Day is today and love is in the air. I’ve seen so many commercials advertising diamonds and flowers as the ultimate gifts of love. While that’s good for ... Read more

February 7, 2019February 5, 2019

Is Juvenile Arthritis Considered a Disability?

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

It’s a question I’ve asked and have been asked: “Is juvenile arthritis considered a disability?” Frankly, I never got a straight answer. That’s because the answer is: It depends on ... Read more

January 31, 2019January 29, 2019

Kids with Juvenile Arthritis Must Learn to Listen to Bodily Signals

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Lazy days have always been my favorite part of the week. I love not needing to rush here, there, and everywhere. Most of all, I love that they allow ... Read more

January 24, 2019January 23, 2019

The Importance of Distraction for Kids with Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Growing up, it wasn’t uncommon for my peers to have after-school activities to go to every day. As a child with juvenile arthritis, I couldn’t imagine doing something every ... Read more

January 17, 2019January 15, 2019

Helping Kids with JA Stay Warm This Winter

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

After every winter, I need to “defrost.” Since I was small, I would bask in the warmth of the sun on the first few days of summer. Every day, ... Read more

January 10, 2019January 9, 2019

Juvenile Arthritis: A Mother’s Perspective

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

“It’s just arthritis.” Oh man, that statement always hurt. As a child, it was enough to make my blood boil. And even as a young adult, I still have ... Read more