The Seated View

Me? A trailblazer? Apparently so, because I had the privilege of being invited to the Trailblazers & Pathmakers event at Queen’s Park hosted by The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario . On an early April morning, I joined 99 amazing women to discuss issues surrounding women’s leadership. May I get real for a moment? As a freelance writer and advocate (mostly online), my uniform is jeans and other types of comfy clothes. After all, it’s just me and the cat. Finding something that approximately business attire took a while, but I ended up dressing in blue to represent arthritis and accessibility for people with disabilities. We were welcomed by Her Honour, the wonderful Elizabeth Dowsdeswell, who calls herself Ontario’s Storyteller-in-Chief. Committed to showcasing the lives of Ontarians, she hosted this event for women to connect and inspire each other. Other Trailblazers & Pathmakers events will follow in several areas of Ont...

There is a lot of talk in the RA community about using food to control symptoms. A new survey reveals how many people with rheumatoid arthritis actually respond to dietary changes : "Managing rheumatoid address (RA) includes a lot of tools, such as medication, physical therapy, pacing yourself, acupuncture, and more. Some people also use diet to manage their symptoms. Most evidence about the role of diet with RA is anecdotal reports from individuals living with the condition, although studies do indicate certain foods may be helpful . A new survey sheds light on how many people with RA experience an impact of food on their condition." Get more information about this survey, as well as food and RA in my new slideshow for HealthCentral .

Taking care of aging parents can be a challenge at the best of times, but even more so when you have a chronic illness. And yet, that chronic illness can uniquely qualify you to be a fantastic advocate for your mom and dad : "When you have a chronic illness, it can be enough of a challenge to get yourself through the day. Somehow, we add spouse, kids, work, maybe even occasional socializing to the mix. And if you are in your 30s and up, you may also find yourself having to take care of your parents. We are called the sandwich generation — right in the middle of raising children and providing care for aging parents. This is hard enough at the best of times, but adds some unique challenges when you have a chronic illness. My story I was only a few years into effective treatment for my rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when my mother had a bad accident. My first worry was for her, the second that I wouldn’t be able to be there for her. Altho...

Way back in the beginning of my blogging career, no one told me that I would learn far more than I would teach. Much of blogging — particularly in the beginning — feels a bit one-sided. Someone once told me that with a blog I was “in a position to inform.” This made me feel as if I should put together a terms of reference and an ethics board before publishing a post about my latest reality show obsession. Despite its somewhat high mindedness, that statement has lurked in my brain for years, reminding me that when I put information on my blog, I have a responsibility. To post accurate information, to use proper attribution, and in general follow the rules I was taught in university. Because if a reader were to learn something through information I share, I’d better do my best to make sure it isn’t fake news. The point of having readers is to produce stuff that they can read. Otherwise why would they come to your site? So although you know that blogging is a conversa...

  Have you ever interviewed a doctor before signing on  as the patient? Not many people do — we just cross our fingers and hope for the best. In my new post for HealthCentral, I tell you all about how to interview a doctor and why you should: " As a person with a rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one of the most important relationships you have is that with your rheumatologist. They are your partner in the fight against the disease, the person who supports and advises you, and sometimes the doctor who saves you. Finding someone with whom you can build relationship of trust, respect, and honesty is essential. Why you should interview a doctor One way to get a sense of whether a new doctor will be a good fit is to interview them. This can seem quite the revolutionary statement — traditionally, we are handed the name of our new doctor with not much choice in the matter. But by empowering yourself to think (and act) outside the box, you c...

I had a medical appointment fairly close to the Eaton Centre and it being that time a year where I stand in front of my closet bemoaning the lack of appropriate clothes therein, it seemed like kismet. So I headed to the building with many, many stores ready to give someone money so they could give me tops that would be neither too warm, nor too cold. I skipped the top floor entirely, as that has become dedicated to expensive US retailers that are financially unattainable for most people, including this starving artist. I mean, there’s a jeans store where items start at $300+ for a pair of ripped jeans. Even if I were to temporarily lose my mind and pay that amount for a pair of jeans, I’d be looking for something with more fabric. Y’know… to increase the value of the expenditure. The lower two levels not only have more stores, but also a lot more people. I zipped through the crowd, first visiting my new go-to store Reitmans . It’s not as perfectly “me” as Joe Fresh use...