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Connect2Health Conference and WEGO Health Awards Recap

Connect2Health Conference and WEGO Health Awards Recap

Oct 24, 2018 | Medicine & News, Uncategorized | 0 comments

If you weren’t able to tune into the WEGO Health Award ceremony on the main stage at Connect2Health via Facebook live in Boston last week, you can view some of the award speeches including mine in the video below.     To see all of the 2018 WEGO Health Award...

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*STORY TIME* Disabled isn’t a bad word. And so a *STORY TIME* Disabled isn’t a bad word. And so aren’t these listed here. What’s bad… is not talking about it. Growing up Greek and having parents who were immigrants, there was a heavy emphasis on family and culture. Which I’m grateful for. But what I noticed in my culture, is that talking about your personal problems, or health issues openly is a bit taboo. I have been lucky to have parents who have been supportive of me. But the looming thoughts of, ‘People will gossip,’ or ‘What will family think,’ is a worry I’ve been told and noticed countless times. Though before my rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, I had always been an outspoken person. While I was nervous to openly share my story {all the ups and downs} many times… when I took a step back, speaking my mind was naturally and organically part of my core essence. Now, going back to not talking about it. I went 17 years not knowing a single person in my family with rheumatoid arthritis. I just found out last year that my great-aunt {my grandma’s sister on my moms side}, who lives in Greece, was diagnosed with RA. She’s in her upper 70s. I was talking to my mom the other day, and she told me how she remembers her father mentioning other family members from when he was young {and this would have been in the 1940s}, experiencing very bad pain and one of them passed away. When I asked my mom if she knew what it was, she said her dad didn’t talk much about it. Because nobody knew what it was. Was it some type of arthritis? Maybe, or maybe it was another chronic illness, and disease. Regardless, we owe it to ourselves to talk about these things. If you come from a rich cultural background, you may relate to what I’m saying. I know for me personally, I won’t ever hide my disability or illness. For instance, if I’m to get married one day. My in-laws will know. New friends will know. I don’t care. It’s liberating when you can say… yes, this is part of me and my life. And own it. There’s a sort of freedom that comes with radical self-acceptance. When we can tap into that, and talk about things without being seen as a black sheep, undesirable or unworthy… that’s when miraculous change and knowledge occurs.
Ahhh happy dance!! I’m so excited to announce th Ahhh happy dance!! I’m so excited to announce this BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT for the ARTHRITIS COMMUNITY!💙✨ The arthritis project many of you have seen on my blog and over at @keepingitrealwitharthritis, is going to be turned into a photo blog printed book & e-book called, Keeping It Real with Arthritis Stories. 📖 As a writer and creative first, storytelling has always been at the forefront of how I choose to raise arthritis awareness to inform and educate. Over the summer, I shared my experience briefly of being rejected by a grant that I applied to, for an idea I had. Well this book was the idea. Long story short, I didn’t let that denial stop me from applying to another opportunity that popped up shortly after. In October, I found out I would be one of the recipients for the, HealtheVoices Impact Fund. The advisory board thought this project was very creative, and would be quite impactful for many people living with arthritis. In fact, from my knowledge, there hasn’t been anything like this created before for people in our community specifically. So, this really is a once in a life time opportunity to get involved. I’m happy to also announce that I’ll be working with @imaginewepublishers to get this book published! They have worked on many mission-motivated and cause-driven books such as one book called, Chronically Empowered. So now for a bit more about this book. ✨ 📘 The book will feature new stories. Those who have submitted a story for my blog and Instagram series, will have a chance to also submit for this. As well as, anyone else! 📘This project aims to show in the form of photos and stories, what arthritis really is. 📘It’s important that this book be diverse and inclusive, showing different people and different types of arthritis. 📘It will feature only *100 stories* from the arthritis community. There will be an open call for submissions with instructions starting in January 2022: for people interested to submit a writing piece, along with a photo (s). Once the spots are filled, the submissions portal will close to move onto the next stage which is editing, and putting the book together for print. . . Continued below. Read bottom up ↕️
Does anyone watch the show, Chicago Med? In my lat Does anyone watch the show, Chicago Med? In my latest YouTube video, I talk about this particular scene in the season premiere episode that aired back in September. The episode was titled, ‘You Can’t Always Trust What You See.’ I liked that subliminal nod to invisible illnesses and disabilities. {At least, I think that was their intention with that}. But as you see here on the left side of the photo the ER doctor says, “You’re very young to have such advanced arthritis.” I’m not sure who the writers are for @nbcchicagomed but they really should do more medical research, before writing scripts for actors. I studied a bit of screenwriting in college, and my professor always told us to do the research to make it authentic as possible {for certain topics}. The ER doctor goes on to say, “And you’re not overweight.” Yeah, weight for sure can impact your knees, hips and ankles from the added pressure. But many people diagnosed with arthritis have *no issues with their weight.* Heck, before I was diagnosed, I was told by doctors I’m perfectly within my weight range. It was after my diagnosis that things started to shift and with certain medications. They also don’t name what kind of arthritis this woman has. There’s over 100 different kinds and related conditions. This would’ve been helpful to know in the episode. Was is osteoarthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis? Ankylosing spondylitis? Now, in a way this is a semi-authentic scene because these things are actually told to people. I’ve been told I’m too young by both doctors and people I know. Not sure if people realize that’s not helpful to say. People know their ages. Tell them something they don’t know! But these scenes feed the stereotypes and myths surrounding arthritis. Arthritis can impact someone at any age; mildly, moderately or severely. The one positive thing, was the bedside manner and actionable steps given to the person. And affirming positivity {not toxic}, that she can get better. Go check out the video at the link in my bio and let me know your thoughts ! ✨
Rheumor has it {I love this pun}…an article post Rheumor has it {I love this pun}…an article posted by Harvard really did start off by saying cracking your knuckles may aggravate those around you, lol. I may or may not have been told by my parents when younger to knock it off. 🤣 No but for real all jokes aside, I use to crack my knuckles so much growing up and now my hands are pretty arthritic. I know this is a myth, but still interesting to think about. The other day I was like man, I haven’t been able to crack my knuckles in ages and probably won’t ever be able to do so because of joint damage. Weird habit, though just goes to show how sometimes the seemingly smallest things can’t be done anymore because of this stupid disease. Anyone else in the same boat as me, or ever had the tendency to crack your knuckles a ton? Anyways, happy Friday and weekend! ✨ 🙌🏻
Hello everyone! I hope November has been kind to y Hello everyone! I hope November has been kind to you so far and if not, may things get better soon. One way I fight rheumatoid arthritis, is to rest and not fight it at all. And to also, have fun. When we are constantly in the survival mode, it does more harm than good. I don’t know about you all, but the last two months was just... a lot. I felt more burned out, and there was either way too many things going on or that needed to be done. The energy around was heavier, and for those of you who are sensitive to that type of stuff, you know what I’m talking about. That’s why for me taking time away to rest, meditate, pray and so on, is very important. My meditation practice was all over the place, and that did impact my day to day a bit. I let things and situations get to me, but now I’m back at not giving two cents. If I didn’t take the last week or so to slowly unwind and do something fun with people in my life, there’s no way I would have had the energy or motivation to get two at home test kits sent off this Monday and see my rheumatologist the next day. It was a good appointment and I have a solid plan moving forward. So, what else is new in my world? Well, I recently connected with a doctor I was literally praying for. There was a center out in Cali that I came across during the pandemic, that helps individuals with specific root causes connected to their disease. But to travel out there or even pay for that, was not doable and still isn’t. But this doctor in my area now, does the same thing. It was an uplifting convo. He gave encouragement that healing is possible and said in all his 18 years of medical practice, he hasn’t talked to a person he has treated who already knows so much. It was like preaching to the choir. That’s another way I fight. I investigate, study, research. I get things done, and I always follow-up. I’m a very thorough and involved person when it comes to my care. If a test result is supposed to be in by a certain time and it’s not, I call. I also call to ask if they received things. My offices know me by name, by the second or third time I call. They also appreciate people following up, because they are busy too. {More below}
Recently wrote an essay article posted on @rheumat Recently wrote an essay article posted on @rheumatoidarthritis_hu for Invisible Disabilities Week, and while IDW may be over now {since yesterday}, “the fight for us rheumies and spoonies will continue and hopefully that will end soon too,” -this was beautifully said by @rheumachica in her part of the video that launched on Friday. . If you haven’t watched, ‘Shining a Light on Life with Arthritis During the COVID-19 pandemic,’ yet this weekend.. go check it out, you won’t be disappointed. I’ve heard only great things from people so far- we put a ton of heart and soul into it, so that means a lot. . To read this article and watch the video, visit the link in my bio. ✨

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