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  • About Arthritis
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    woman holding her wrist What Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbes Inflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

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    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
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    Woman holding shoulder Webinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bed Webinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

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    Woman with upset stomach Microbiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

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    woman consoling another Arthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

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    2023 JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

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    The Arthritis Foundation’s JA camp programs give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases the chance to make lasting memories.

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    Transforming Clinical Interactions

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    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices.

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    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

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    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

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    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

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    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

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    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

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Gerica's Tips for the "New" Normal

By now, those of you reading this are likely experiencing a shelter-in-place order, school cancellations, or other social distancing situations in your own communities due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.  Here in California, our state is under a statewide shelter-in-place directive and I am on week 2 of 4 with my children’s schools transitioning to “distance learning”.  Some districts in our area have already announced this will continue for the remainder of the school year.  If you are anything like me, this sudden and massive change has rocked your family unit and you are trying to navigate the unfamiliar.



Two weeks ago, I had no idea I’d be embarking on a full-time, homeschool teaching gig.  I now find myself playing the role of wife, mother, teacher, chef, therapist, entertainer and to be real, sometimes a warden.  Thankfully, since we’re home for the foreseeable future, I can cross “chauffeur” off that list.  If I’m being honest, I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders.  We. All. Do.  Adding in the fear and uncertainty of you, or your child, being immunocompromised makes everything more intense. I want to share a few suggestions that are working (and a few that aren’t) for our family in the hopes to help and inspire you as we all work to Live Yes in our new normal.

First, a bit about me.  I am a stay-home parent to three children, age 6 to 13.  My oldest was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at 18 months.  She has been on some form of immune-compromising medication since her diagnosis.  Thankfully, she has a wonderful team of doctors who have been very accessible to my questions and concerns as this pandemic has unfolded.  My first bit of advice, if you haven’t already, would be to reach out to your medical team.  They will be able to accurately give sound advice for your specific situation. Our doctors have been very informative on ways to mitigate my daughter’s risk of exposure to COVID-19. You’ve spent years developing a strong working relationship with your medical team, trust their guidance during this time.



Now, some ideas on managing life at home.  I run a tight ship.  Our homelife is organized, well-planned and predictable.  A controlled environment is my happy place.  Cue global pandemic to push my parenting anxiety into high gear!  I think what I struggle with is the unknown.  On a typical day, I have three kids attending three different schools.  I know I have from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day to do all the things that need to happen for the children.  I know that homework and dinner need to happen on schedule to get kids to their practices and activities. And now, poof.  Gone!

Before the first day of our “COVID Homeschool Academy” I took time to develop a daily schedule.  I pushed hard to stay on task by setting timers and making sure everything was happening by MY intentionally thought-out plan.  Day 1 went great!  But, there was some resistance on day 2 and by day 3, 3 of 5 members of my family had a teary breakdown, myself included.  I have now realized that what works one day, might not work on another.  And what works for one child, will be the demise of someone else. We have now all agreed that we loathe the word “schedule” but realize that a “routine” is better suited for us.

My oldest is great at working independently.  She is a task master, like her mama, and gets her work done.  Other than checking in from time to time and throwing a sandwich her way around noon, she’s functioning well on her own.  My middle child needs more structure.  We focus on different subjects at specific times throughout the day, always starting with what she dislikes most first thing in the morning.  Trust me, get that battle over with early in the day and things can only improve from there.  She needs more check-ins on how long she’s spent on each task but has found her groove.  Then there’s the littlest.  He’s in kindergarten and on his best days can be described as feral.  I’ve come to learn that six-year-olds never stop talking.  Ever.  His school packets are done 15 minutes at a time and then he’s released into the backyard to burn some energy.  We mix up worksheets with computer time and reading stories with hands-on learning, like building or cooking .  In the end, they are three very different children with three very different learning styles and sets of needs. If a set schedule works for your family, great!  But take this time to listen and observe what your children’s needs are and come up with your own family routine.

As anyone living with arthritis knows, moving your body is important. With the proper guidance from your doctor, movement can help loosen your joints and lift your spirits. Depending on your current situation, you might not have access to your normal exercise routines, but moving your body should still be a priority.  My JA daughter, and her sister, are both competitive year-round swimmers.  They have no access to a training pool and meets are cancelled through at least the end of April.  Losing an activity they love has not only taken a physical toll, but a mental one as well.  We have been provided with “dry land” workouts from their coaches that we try to do as a family. We dusted off the rowing machine that has been sitting in our garage and invested in a live-class exercise bike.



We are all finding new ways to move our bodies. My favorite is simply walking our dog.  This was usually a task I did alone while the kids were at school but now we go as a family. We talk, we laugh, we enjoy all the sidewalk art along the way and our dog is loving every minute.  Movement is good for your body and good for our soul.  Find what works for you and commit to moving for at least 20 minutes each day.

Social distancing is tough.  I’m social.  I like being with people.  I’m a hugger.  My family is the same.  We hug when we see friends and family.  We gather frequently and we’re happiest when our home is filled with friends.  What we are missing most right now is connection.  It’s there, we just need to be creative in how we find it.  As much as I hate to admit, my use of social media is way up.  But given the circumstances, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  Social media is allowing me to “see” what my friends and family are up to and how they are keeping busy. And there is certainly no shortage of funny memes to keep us laughing. I have loved seeing posts using the hashtag #WeLiveYes from people in the arthritis community, showing how we are learning to live in our new normal. We have had to loosen our technology reigns and give the kids opportunities to connect with their friends and teammates.  A few days ago, my girls had a group video chat with their swim friends that lifted their spirits.  Yesterday, my son had a Zoom call with this teacher and classmates.  Kindergarten video chats are the cutest thing ever. The point is, social distancing does not have to mean social isolation.  As a collective group that is immunocompromised, we do need to practice extra caution while also being mindful of how important human connection is. Pick up the phone, plan a video chat, play an online game with someone, host a virtual dinner party.  In this uncertain time, we don’t know how long these circumstances will go on.  Take time, make time and connect.

At the end of week one, I was feeling the monotony of things really get me down.  I couldn’t possibly help with another worksheet, do another puzzle or paint another rock.  I was in a funk and didn’t want that feeling to spread to my husband and children.  I had to make the choice to find joy and be thankful for something each day.  A month ago, I looked at my family calendar and had crushing anxiety wondering how I would make it through March.  On top of my husband’s travel schedule for work and our normal school/swim routine, we had two travel swim meets, a surprise birthday trip for my daughter and I was headed to Washington DC to represent all of you at the Arthritis Foundation’s Advocacy Leadership Retreat. These are all great things that I am thankful for but it was just so much in a short period of time.  Then, everything changed and our calendars were cleared for weeks on end.  I have found great joy in this gift of time. Here in northern California we are on Day 10 of quarantine.  I have learned that my oldest is an amazing artist.  I always knew she loved to draw but now that she has time, she has created beautiful artwork and sidewalk chalk drawings.  In these 10 days, I have learned that my middler loves to cook and has made cookies, soft pretzels, cheesecake and homemade marshmallows.  In my 40+ years, I didn’t even know that homemade marshmallows were a thing.  My husband isn’t traveling and has had time to play catch with my son and he’s on the cusp of getting up on two wheels.  I love snuggling up with him to read.  Reading not for the sake of learning and checking off a reading log.  Reading just for the sake of reading.  All of these things happened because of our family quarantine.  I am not too proud to admit that I never saw these things before because we didn’t have enough time.  Don’t get me wrong, life was good, just busy.  Time is a funny thing.  To much of it can be a blessing or a curse. With all this time, I encourage you to choose joy.

Finally, as I mentioned before, we are all feeling overwhelmed with this situation.  We must not forget to take care of ourselves.  You’ve heard it for years on airplanes, put on your own mask before putting on my news feed.

We are all trying to keep our families afloat, but we cannot get lost in the process.  Take time for you.  Find something you love that brings you joy and make it part of your daily routine.  For me, despite being tired, I wake up about an hour before everyone else in my house.  I enjoy my coffee (and silence) and I mentally prepare for the day.  For you it might be reading that book you heard about, locking yourself in the bathroom for a face mask and pedicure, trying a new recipe or tinkering in the garage.  This time should be about you.  If nothing else, the time will help you refocus and regroup. As you find your way to live yes through this uncertain time, share it on social media using the #WeLiveYes!



These are challenging times,  show yourself some grace.  Be kind to yourself and your family.  If it works for you to keep a normal Monday through Friday “work” week, stick with that.  If you can only make it two days before needing a break, that is fine too.  Find your routine, find your balance.  We will get through this.  As a family.  As a community.  As a nation.  As a world.

In our nation’s current situation, charity organizations are being hit especially hard.  Now, perhaps more than ever, the Arthritis Foundation needs your support. The Foundation’s ongoing work is critical to helping those living with arthritis.  We must continue to support the mission in whatever way you are capable, whether that be a monetary donation, becoming an advocate or join

ing the Live Yes! Arthritis Network.

You can also share your story of resilience and how you are living your yes despite these uncertain times with this storybank. Share your story today!
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    Donate

    Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life.

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    Join us and become a Champion of Yes. There are many volunteer opportunities available.

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    Take part to be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis.

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    Partner

    Proud Partners of the Arthritis Foundation make an annual commitment to directly support the Foundation’s mission.

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Ways to Give

Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life. Whether it is supporting cutting-edge research, 24/7 access to one-on-one support, resources and tools for daily living, and more, your gift will be life-changing.

Make a Donation

Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease. Please, make your urgently-needed donation to the Arthritis Foundation now!

Become a Member

Become an Arthritis Foundation member today for just $20 and you'll receive access to helpful tools..... and more.

Make a Honor or Memorial Gift

Honor a loved one with a meaningful donation to the Arthritis Foundation. We'll send a handwritten card to the honoree or their family notifying them of your thoughtful gift.

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I want information on ways to remember the AF in my will, trust or other financial planning vehicles.

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Volunteer Opportunities

The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

Become a Volunteer

More About Volunteering

  • Walk to Cure
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Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community.

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families.

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

Get Started

Partner


Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

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