Life with Juvenile Arthritis

November 15, 2018November 14, 2018

Risky Behaviors are More Dangerous for Teens with Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

When I was a teenager, I received a lecture every time I visited the rheumatologist. “Don’t smoke.” “Don’t drink.” “Use reliable birth control.” While I wasn’t very interested in ... Read more

November 8, 2018November 7, 2018

What’s the Difference Between JIA and JRA?

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

When I was a child, my primary care doctor said I had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), but my rheumatologist said I had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). JRA made me ... Read more

November 1, 2018October 31, 2018

Tips for When Juvenile Arthritis Causes Absences from School

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Over the years, I’ve received many awards for my academic performance. Yet I never achieved a perfect attendance award. Despite being a good student, I felt like I was ... Read more

October 25, 2018October 23, 2018

Making Trick-or-Treating Easier for Kids with Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Despite being a scaredy-cat, I loved Halloween when I was little. My favorite parts were painting pumpkins and making costumes. Some years I struggled to go trick-or-treating because my ... Read more

October 18, 2018October 17, 2018

Helping Teenagers with Juvenile Arthritis Pick a Career

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

After years of dreaming about being a nurse, I realized my dreams would have to change a little. In high school, I completed a two-week nursing program trial, and while ... Read more

October 11, 2018October 10, 2018

Making the Best of Rheumatologist Visits for Children with Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

When your child has juvenile arthritis, you might find that her pediatric rheumatologist becomes a part of the family. Frequent appointments can mean you see this specialist more often ... Read more

October 4, 2018October 2, 2018

Why Children with Juvenile Arthritis Need Time to Be a Kid

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

It was the end of the world. Or, at least it felt that way at the time. I had just found out pictures of my seventh-grade class had been ... Read more

September 27, 2018September 25, 2018

Dealing with Being Judged for Using a Mobility Aid for Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

For the most part, I looked like a normal teenager. But on annual trips to Disney World, I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. During the ... Read more

September 20, 2018September 18, 2018

The Emotional Toll of Weight Gain

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

I have a hard time looking at photographs of myself from when I was 14. I was in pretty rough shape. My cheeks were puffy and covered with pimples, ... Read more

September 13, 2018September 11, 2018

Preparing for Colder Seasons with Juvenile Arthritis

Columns, Life with Juvenile Arthritis

I’ve always loved the first few days of summer. As a kid, I spent that time in the grass, enjoying the sun’s warmth. The sun’s heat was encompassing and ... Read more