Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

March 11, 2021March 11, 2021

A Life With Juvenile Arthritis Is Still a Happy Life

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

When I first started this column, I had so many things I wanted to share with families coping with juvenile arthritis (JA). I’ve written about everything from making home injections ... Read more

March 4, 2021March 4, 2021

Designing a Play Space That Accommodates Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

When I returned home from the hospital after my first major juvenile arthritis flare, my parents had to move around some items to make the house more accessible while my ... Read more

February 25, 2021February 25, 2021

Maybe Juvenile Arthritis Isn’t So Rare After All

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

With Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28 quickly approaching, I began to reflect on my experience living with juvenile-onset psoriatic arthritis. While I’ve had so many highs and lows dealing with ... Read more

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021

The Stigma of Invisible Illness Affects the Whole Family

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

It was hard to learn to advocate for myself as a teenager with juvenile arthritis. I have many anecdotes from those years when I was getting comfortable with speaking up ... Read more

February 11, 2021February 11, 2021

Do Biologics Lose their Efficacy Over Time?

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

Although it’s still two days away as I write this, I’m counting down the minutes until injection day. The biologic I use to control my juvenile-onset arthritis is a shot ... Read more

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021

How JA Parents Can Be Proactive at Rheumatology Appointments

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

Before every doctor’s appointment, I write down my questions on a little sheet of paper and put it in my pocket. It feels better to pull out a piece of ... Read more

January 28, 2021January 28, 2021

How to Deal With Pain Caused by Physical Therapy

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

After slowly rolling out of bed, I hobble to the bathroom. I don’t want to move a muscle — they’re all aching and don’t want to cooperate. Sitting on the ... Read more

January 21, 2021January 21, 2021

Tips for Helping Kids Take Their JA Medications

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

A couple years ago, I had my own shelf in the kitchen cabinet devoted solely to my medicines. I had vitamins that felt like the size of a quarter (that ... Read more

January 14, 2021January 14, 2021

The Many Faces and Types of Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

Sometimes when I sit down to write my columns, I’m at a loss for words. It’s not because I’m out of ideas, but because I’m overwhelmed by the number of ... Read more

January 7, 2021January 7, 2021

Feeling Worthy of Being Loved With Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

When I was a preteen and teenager, there were plenty of ways I tried to hide or change who I was. Like lots of teenagers, I used things like clothes ... Read more

December 17, 2020December 17, 2020

Coping With Juvenile Arthritis Flares During Winter Break

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to having a break. It’s been a long year, and my body and mind are ready for some time to unwind.  I’m sure ... Read more

December 10, 2020December 10, 2020

Safeguarding My Health to Keep JA in Check

COVID-19 Columns, Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

This year for my family’s Secret Santa, I was so excited to get the youngest cousin! I love shopping for the kids, especially the little ones. She asked for new ... Read more

December 3, 2020December 3, 2020

Dealing With the Lasting Effects of Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

“You’re not a kid anymore. You don’t have to call it juvenile arthritis.” Sometimes, I think people get confused about why I always say my disease is juvenile-onset psoriatic arthritis ... Read more

November 19, 2020November 19, 2020

Homemade Gifts Kids With Juvenile Arthritis Will Love

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

Bright shawls to wear during cancer treatment, blankets to swaddle new babies with, and hats to keep little ones warm — these are just a few of the projects I’ve ... Read more

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

Balancing Life and Health Limitations

Juvenile Arthritis News Columns

Being a teenage girl in the body of an old lady is rough. Between day-to-day choices and upcoming life decisions, we often feel like we can’t win. Do we overextend ... Read more