Real Talk
How to Respond to Chronic Illness Comments During the Holidays
These funny or serious responses can help combat well-intentioned yet sometimes misguided comments.
November 20, 2023
Living with RA can be hard. Hear relatable stories from people who get it.
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Real Talk
My Disability Parking Placard Symbolized Everything I Couldn’t Do
For a long time, I felt judged for using it with my invisible disability. Then I realized not using it was limiting me even more than my MS was doing on its own.
November 14, 2023
Real Talk
The Truth About Chronic Illness and Fatigue
Fatigue is common in those living with chronic illnesses. But this symptom is often treated as an afterthought. Here's what you should know and what might help.
November 02, 2023
Real Talk
The Content of Rheumatoid Arthritis Commercials Matters
Genuine representation is needed. Sometimes commercials miss the mark, but things are changing.
September 18, 2023
Real Talk
Unhidden’s Founder Talks About Creating Clothes for Every Body
Providing dignity and identity to those living with disabilities is at the core of Unhidden's mission. Learn more about this adaptive clothing brand that featured at London Fashion Week.
July 19, 2023
Real Talk
Feeling Unseen and Unheard: Is This Medical Gaslighting or Something Else?
Not feeling fully supported in healthcare settings can be common. It's important to know why you might be feeling this way — whether from medical gaslighting or from limited medical resources — and what you can do about it.
June 26, 2023
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Real Talk
Effie Koliopoulos and Her New Book, ‘Keeping It Real with Arthritis: Stories from Around the World’
When Effie received a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, there were few resources that helped her understand the true realities of the condition. Her new book features 119 individual stories from people living with arthritis so that people can feel seen.
May 01, 2023
Real Talk
What It’s Like Being Chronically Ill in the Time of Wellness
Unsolicited medical advice is exhausting — and sometimes even plain rude. The wellness industry needs to wake up to the realities of living with a chronic illness.
March 31, 2023
Real Talk
How Fatigue Changed My Mindset as a Disability Activist
Hustle culture and the pandemic made me hit a breaking point. I was exhausted, but being an activist made me want to fight on. Now, I live by a different mantra.
February 28, 2023
Real Talk
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day: A Day in My Life
Blogger and chemist, Alexis Rochester, has lived with RA for 26 years. On this Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day, she shares what her current day-to-day life looks like.
February 01, 2023
Real Talk
10 Realities of Living with RA That Might Surprise You
Managing a chronic condition requires so much more than just soothing your symptoms. Writer Stefanie Remson talks about how you must adjust for it in all corners of your life.
February 03, 2023
Real Talk
Why I Share My RA Story on Social Media
I kept my rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis a secret for a long time and suffered in silence. Speaking out on social media saved me.
November 20, 2022
Real Talk
How I Wear My Costume of Wellness for RA This Halloween
This Halloween season, remember to wear your costume of wellness mindfully.
October 20, 2022
Real Talk
Don’t Take Away My Methotrexate! How Roe v. Wade Has Changed Vital Medication Access
Overturning Roe v. Wade has far-reaching consequences for many communities — including access to needed medication like methotrexate.
July 08, 2022
Real Talk
5 Lessons from the Pandemic That Promote Inclusivity
We can continue to learn from the pandemic and encourage inclusivity in our everyday practices.
July 19, 2022
Real Talk
What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Navigating Pregnancy and New Motherhood with PsA
Jenny Durand shares her experience navigating pregnancy and motherhood with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
September 01, 2023
Real Talk
What Twitter’s Downfall Means for Chronic Condition Communities
The chronic condition community on Twitter has changed my life. I'm worried about what will happen without it.
October 10, 2023
Real Talk
#FreeBritney: Tabloid Fodder or Disability Rights Issue?
Britney Spears’ legal battle sheds light on ableism and guardianship abuse.
July 16, 2021
Real Talk
Am I Oversharing? 8 Tips for Navigating Social Media with a Chronic Illness
There are no perfect answers for how much to share and how much to hold back, but there are guidelines that might help you determine the right approach for you.
April 19, 2023
Real Talk
Ableist Language in Pop Culture and How It Affects People with Chronic Illness
Ableism and ableist language are all too common, especially in pop culture. Learn how to recognize this language and ways to be more mindful of the words you choose.
January 18, 2023
Real Talk
9 Ways Acute Illness Is Thought Of Differently Than Chronic Illness
Living with chronic illness has made me aware of the many ways that society views chronic illness differently than they view acute illness.
November 04, 2022
Real Talk
How Chronic Illness Affects More Than Just Your Physical Health
The nonphysical effects of living with a chronic condition are often ignored or underestimated. We need to change that. These are nine ways that living with a chronic condition has affected my life and strategies I've found to help me cope.
January 20, 2023
Real Talk
Talking with Friends About Money Can Be Awkward When Your Condition Limits How Much You Work
Being asked to chip in for food or gifts can be stressful, especially if a chronic illness restricts the hours you can work. These tips can help navigate awkward conversations with friends.
September 28, 2022
Real Talk
The Way We Treat the Undiagnosed Needs to Change
Being undiagnosed is an under-acknowledged stage of living with chronic physical or mental symptoms.
August 12, 2022
Real Talk
What the Overturning of Roe v. Wade Means for the Chronically Ill and Disabled Communities
The court’s decision affects all Americans, but disabled, chronically ill, and disadvantaged people will be disproportionately affected. They face healthcare inequities, poverty, and more.
July 18, 2022
Real Talk
From Practitioner to Patient: My Journey Navigating an RA Diagnosis
Welcome to From Practitioner to Patient, a column by Stefanie Remson about living with arthritis. Stefanie is both a nurse practitioner and a patient living with RA. She’s here to share what she has learned from her own experiences as a patient and to demystify the medical side of navigating arthritis through her knowledge as a nurse practitioner.
July 29, 2022
Real Talk
How I Explain My Pain to People Who Don’t “Get It”
Pain is different for everyone. The same type of pain may affect different people differently, which complicates how to talk about it with others.
August 30, 2022
Real Talk
Self-Love and Body Image with Arthritis
Chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis can affect much of your life, but they do not get to steal your confidence. You deserve to feel beautiful and celebrate the body you are in. It may not always be easy, but it is worth the work.
August 30, 2022
Real Talk
My Journey to Becoming a Chronic Illness Advocate on Social Media
Writer Nia G. discusses her journey to becoming a social media advocate after her chronic illness diagnoses.
July 19, 2022
Real Talk
What I’ve Learned About Self-Advocacy When Living with a Chronic Condition
When living with a chronic condition or disability, finding and using your voice is a must.
June 13, 2022
Real Talk
Recognizing Signs of Medical Trauma When You Live with a Chronic Condition
Medical trauma is real but sometimes it can be hard to recognize. If you live with a chronic condition it is especially important to be aware of how traumatic medical scenarios can have lasting effects. If you have experienced medical trauma, it is important to know you are not alone.
June 24, 2022
Real Talk
I’m in Remission from Rheumatoid Arthritis — Why Do I Feel So Guilty About It?
Finding out I was in remission from RA was a happy moment, but I felt guilty. Years later, I still haven’t completely moved away from that emotion.
May 16, 2022
Real Talk
We Need to Talk About Ableism and COVID-19
The issues that disabled and chronic condition communities face as a result of the pandemic are being ignored too easily.
March 23, 2022
Real Talk
How I’m Making Peace with the Never-Ending Pandemic
Those of us living with a chronic condition are used to navigating an unknown future.
February 17, 2022
Real Talk
6 Things You Should Never Say to Someone with Arthritis
As someone who's had arthritis for 8 years, I can tell you there are some things you should never say to someone living with arthritis.
March 30, 2022
Real Talk
My Journey Through Gaslighting and Misdiagnoses with Psoriatic Arthritis
The psoriatic arthritis was there all along, but no one was seeing the full picture. I was being treated joint by joint, pain by pain, rather than as a whole person.
November 17, 2021
Real Talk
Dear Able-Bodied Folks: Your COVID-19 Fear Is My Year-Round Reality
As COVID-19 invades our communities, able-bodied people are experiencing the same kind of fear that millions of people who live with compromised immune systems face all the time.
March 20, 2020
Real Talk
What I Learned About Chronic Illness Coaches While Seeking Support for a New Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease left me feeling overwhelmed and alone. It was challenging to find the social and emotional support I needed.
December 02, 2021
Real Talk
Medical Gaslighting Is Real, and It May Have Happened to You
A patient’s word should be believed. You shouldn't need to fight to advocate for your health when you're feeling your worst.
December 02, 2021
Real Talk
How to Rebuild Trust with Doctors After a Misdiagnosis
When it comes to living with a chronic condition, the doctor-patient relationship will be one of the most important connections you ever build.
January 26, 2021
Real Talk
I Have a Chronic Condition. Here’s Why I Hate New Year’s Resolutions
The unpredictability of living with a chronic condition can make it hard to stick with your plans. One writer shares why this year, she's saving herself the pressure and avoiding unrealistic resolutions.
November 09, 2022
Real Talk
Having a Chronic Illness Helped Me Prepare for the Uncertainty of the Pandemic
Managing ulcerative colitis means accepting the unpredictability of life. That skill has become invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 11, 2020
Real Talk
How I’ve Coped with Chronic Illness Throwing My Life Plans Out of Orbit
Being diagnosed with a chronic condition, like MS, can throw your life plans off course. Grieving the losses and finding ways to move forward is a process.
September 30, 2021
Real Talk
The Mental Toll of Disability Is Inflating — We Have to Do Something
The weight of living in a world that doesn’t consider disabled people’s needs is piling on. Something has to change.
May 03, 2021
Real Talk
How I’ve Coped with Chronic Illness Throwing My Life Plans Out of Orbit
Being diagnosed with a chronic condition, like MS, can throw your life plans off course. Grieving the losses and finding ways to move forward is a process.
September 30, 2021
Real Talk
A Flare Does Not Mean You’ve Done Something “Wrong”
When you live with chronic pain, you can’t stop the weather, but you can learn to adjust your sails.
September 21, 2021
Real Talk
Working from Bed Isn’t Lazy — It’s Accessible
As a disabled person, working from bed makes it possible for me to have a job.
March 15, 2021
Real Talk
The Truth About Rheumatoid Arthritis: 7 Things I Wish People Understood About My Chronic Illness
Rheumatoid arthritis is much more than just joint pain.
July 20, 2020
Real Talk
What It’s Like to Receive a Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis in Your 20s
Receiving a diagnosis of a chronic illness in your 20s can feel like an extremely life-limiting change, but with the right support, you'll find your way.
February 02, 2021
Real Talk
9 Mistakes People Make When Talking About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sometimes, it’s better to say nothing at all.
August 23, 2021
Real Talk
My Experience with the Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose and Rheumatoid Arthritis
I was pleasantly surprised when the third dose became available and felt relieved when I received the dose with no unforeseen complications.
September 08, 2021
Real Talk
How I Balance Advocacy and Privacy Living with a Chronic Condition
Some days, sharing about my life with MS feels useful and authentic. Other times, I'd rather keep the details to myself.
November 09, 2021