Arthritis Walk 2010

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month.  Strap on your walking shoes and join Team Vicbo at the Detroit Zoo for free when you participate in the Arthritis Walk.

http://angelsforarthritis.blogspot.com/2010/04/arthritis-walk-2010.html

21st century medicine

Interesting article about how technology will improve patient care.  I can't wait to start to see these things implemented.  Sounds so much more organized for patients with chronic conditions of all kinds.  http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2010/4/13/new-technologies-spur-changes-in-health-care-research-delivery.aspx

High Price of Arthritis

This article explains the difficulty with getting a diagnoses of Rheumatoid Arthritis and the sky-rocketing costs associated with this disease (and related arthritic conditions).  Personally I have had to give up on taking Enbrel because of the costs associated with it.  I am now on sulfasalazine instead.  If you have similar circumstances, please read this article and get involved with the Arthritis Foundation in your state.  We have legislation being considered in the House of Representatives. It's called the Affordable Access to Prescription Medications Act of 2009.  It's new legislation that hopes to establish a $500 monthly out-of-pocket spending limit on prescription drugs regardless whether you have private insurance or Medicare Part D.  The bill is H.R. 3799  Please call your representative and let them know the high price of Arthritis is causing medical bankruptcy, especially for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.  


Arthritis Today - high medical cost of Arthritis

Arthritis Walk 2010

I'm one of the thousands of people who are joining together in communities across America to get moving to help prevent arthritis. We are a diverse group of people who share at least one thing in common - we all know how serious and debilitating arthritis is.

You may have arthritis or probably know someone who does, but what you may NOT know is that there are over 100 forms of arthritis and related diseases. Or that 1 in 5 adults and over 300,000 children suffer with arthritis pain every day.

I'm lacing up my walking shoes and moving this year in the Arthritis Walk. The event is only one day, but the impact of the money will continue to help millions of people for years. More than ever, I'm determined to reach my fundraising goal. Please lend me your support. Just click on the link below to visit my personal web page and make a donation.   Team Vicbo donation page

I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at 18 months old.  This disease has done permanent damage to my joints that cannot be fixed.  I have already had a bilateral hip replacement, 4 reconstructive surgeries on my feet and last year I had double knee synovectomies and a torn miniscus.  I have also developed Degenerative Osteoarthritis in my neck and spine and Fibromyalgia which causes severe pain in my muscles.  I also have Osteoporosis and Colitis.  So far, I have 5 of the 106 different forms of Arthritis.  These diseases cause extreme pain, fatigue and mental stress which is sometimes unbearable.  I am 36 years old now.  I fought through school to get honor roll grades and became a certified public accountant.  About 5 years ago, I had to stop working due to all my medical problems.    My spirit keeps me fighting for a cure even when my body tells me to quit.  I will have to keep fighting to conquer these diseases for the rest of my life and that's OK. I am not my body, I am my spirit.  Please join me in my fight by joining "Team Vicbo" and walk for a cure at the Detroit Zoo on May 1, 2010.  All walk participants who arrive before 8:30 am get free admission to the zoo.  This is a family friendly event but the zoo does not allow dogs for obvious reasons so we have to leave them home this year.  Please join my fight.

Spring Has Sprung!

This is my favorite time of year.  My summer body is coming back!  I am starting to feel as though the body cast is breaking free and I am starting to be able to move better.  Michigan is one of the harshest climates because of the continual low pressure centers always hanging around.  Low pressure centers is what irritates my body the most.  Anybody else with Rheumatoid have any comments about winter vs summer body please feel free to chime in.  Cold and damp weather is the enemy of Rheumatoid.  But I survived another winter!  I love the smells in the air, the birds, the animals....everything is so fresh!  What a great life it is to notice all of the blessings that spring brings!