I love taking pictures! It gives me something to focus on other than achy joints, it is a form of exercise in my book and best of all a form of relaxation for me.
I take pictures of pretty much anything and everything. As I started to look back through my photos, I realized that my pictures remind me of my ra. The many faces of my ra.
Some days I feel like I am so aged and stiff...
Some days I feel like I can smile but I am stuck in one spot...
Some days I feel confident and I can look forward to the future...
Some days I feel mad but never, never want to ask why?
Other days I feel like going outside with my friends...
The International Autoimmune Arthritis Movement (IAAM)started as The 'Buckle Me Up" Movement in 2009, created as a way to raise awareness by rebranding the face of 'arthritis' with young and trendy jewelry. In just a month, the word of this rebranding went International and the need for global awareness became apparent. On May 7th, 2011 (ironically also the 40th birthday of the Founder and CEO) notification was received that, what is now called the International Autoimmune Arthritis Movement, official 501c3 nonprofit status was granted. This weekend marks their first fundraiser, using donations to fund the start up costs necessary to get this nonprofit up and running!
For more information or to learn on how to participate in the auction go HERE
To learn more about IAAM, the history and their initiatives, and to find the link to the LIVE Auction, please visitwww.IAAMovement.org.
I have so many interesting tid bits of things I come across all the time that I decided I am going to create a reoccurring blog post entitled: Everything but the Kitchen Sink! This way I can put all my tidbits into this area and share them with you all in one post rather than try to post them hither and yonder.
And as you might expect, you will find a mish mosh of all kinds of things that I just want to share.
So here goes...
A facebook friend, Jackie Pardoe had this on her home page and I found it fascinating. It is an instructional video on no dig gardening. To me it was great for a number of reasons but the first being I don't have to dig to make a garden and I can pretty much do this anywhere including on top of pre-existing grass.
Next up is something I have been considering but unfortunately since I have severe allergies to many antibiotics, I am a little hesitant. It is called antibiotic protocol for autoimmune illnesses. I do know that this process takes up to two years and that you would need to find a doctor that is familiar with this protocol should you be interested in pursuing this type of treatment for your ra. I have never tried this treatment myself but do know one ra lady currently trying this therapy for her ra.
You have reached a unique resource. The Road Back Foundation's (RBF) Website includes information and support regarding an important and often overlooked treatment option for rheumatic and related diseases. The particular focus here is antibiotic therapy, proven safe and effective in NIH-sponsored clinical trials. Thousands of patients have reported successfully using antibiotics for conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, dermatomyositis, ankylosing spondylitis, Lyme disease, Reiter's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis. Results of an international survey of patients documented dramatic results including relief of pain, the lessening of swollen joints and an overall successful return of quality of life.*
Next is a topic that I know is near and dear to several bloggers, the anti-inflammatory diet:
It is becoming increasingly clear that chronic inflammation is the root cause of many serious illnesses - including heart disease, many cancers, andAlzheimer's disease. We all know inflammation on the surface of the body as local redness, heat, swelling and pain. It is the cornerstone of the body's healing response, bringing more nourishment and more immune activity to a site of injury or infection. But when inflammation persists or serves no purpose, it damages the body and causes illness. Stress, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition, and exposure to toxins (like secondhand tobacco smoke) can all contribute to such chronic inflammation, but dietary choices play a big role as well. Learning how specific foods influence the inflammatory process is the best strategy for containing it and reducing long-term disease risks. (Find more details on the mechanics of the inflammation process and the Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid.)
And last for this month's feature is a website that I think we should all bookmark. It is a website that was given to me from a friend on facebook. It is entitled Adverse Drug Reporting. What I found fascinating about this website is that it lists all the adverse reports on medications world wide. I am NOT trying to scare anyone but I for one would like to know what others have experienced while taking some of the medications I have taken and could not continue. For one, it reassures me that I am not nuts and two, it allows me to research any prospective future medications should I be so inclined. You do with it what you want...
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