Arthritis Life

Cheryl, Marisa, Alice, Gittel, Meg and Annette reflect on the profound impact of community, the invaluable educational components of the Rheum to THRIVE program, and the collective wisdom that has helped them cope and thrive.  The conversation highlights the importance of vulnerability, shared humor, and the supportive environment of the Rheum to THRIVE group, which empowers members to navigate their health challenges and advocate for themselves. This episode first appeared as episode 172 in June 2025. Since then, Cheryl has trained 4 additional Rheum to THRIVE Certified facilitators to continue offering more support to those living with rheumatic disease and inflammatory forms of arthritis.  Episode at a glance: Celebrating 5 Years of Thrive: Cheryl reflects on the origins of the Rheum to THRIVE program and members share how they found the group and what drew them in. Support Group as Lifeline: Members describe Rheum to THRIVE as a uniquely supportive and safe space that offers emotional validation, practical advice, and deep connection. Power of Peer Support & Representation: Cheryl and Rheum to Thrive members share how hearing others share similar stories helps members feel less alone and seeing others thrive with chronic illness is empowering and inspiring. Tools for Thriving: Members reference helpful resources like the THRIVE Framework, webinars, and guest speakers. The Joy of Community & Shared Identity: Cheryl and the Rheum to Thrive members discuss how inside jokes, celebrations, and shared experiences strengthen group bonds. Lasting Impact of the Program: The Rheum to Thrive members tell Cheryl that they pursued careers in counseling or advocacy inspired by their journey and that Rheum to Thrive supports lifelong learning and personal growth. They also reflect on how the group has helped members through isolation and uncertainty. Medical disclaimer:  All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Episode Sponsors Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now!    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this encore episode, Dr. Liew  shares her personal journey to becoming a rheumatologist inspired by a friend's diagnosis. She then discusses the condition in detail, addressing common misconceptions such as it being exclusive to white men and always showing up on imaging.  Listeners will gain invaluable insights into the challenges of diagnosing this condition, social determinants affecting diagnosis, and reliable resources for further information. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the labyrinth of rheumatic diseases, providing hope and knowledge to help you thrive. Episode at a glance: 00:00 Introduction to Rheumer Has It Podcast 00:26 Meet Dr. Jean Liew: Expert on Axial Spondyloarthritis 00:40 Understanding Axial Spondyloarthritis 01:41 Dr. Liew's Journey into Rheumatology 04:16 Busting Myths: Axial Spondyloarthritis and Demographics (it’s not just men!) 06:50 Challenges in Diagnosing Axial Spondyloarthritis 10:27 The Role of HLAB 27 in Axial Spondyloarthritis 12:26 Imaging and Axial Spondyloarthritis 14:38 Final Thoughts and Resources Medical disclaimer:  All content found on Arthritis Life public channels (including Rheumer Has It) was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Episode Sponsors Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Along the way, they talk about the comfort of pets, the importance of finding friends who truly understand, why kids with invisible illnesses deserve to be believed, and the hope they've found through the Arthritis Foundation community. Whether you're raising a child with JIA, living with arthritis yourself, or simply want to better understand what these young patients experience, this conversation is a powerful reminder that no one has to face arthritis alone.  Episode at a glance: 00:00 Welcome and JIA Basics 01:05 Meet the Kids 02:38 Diagnosis Stories 06:49 Treatments and Trial Error 11:05 School Friends and Uveitis 15:41 Coping on Hard Days 20:26 Advice for Newly Diagnosed 23:33 What Adults Should Know 26:42 Final Thoughts and Foundation 29:51 Rapid Fire Favorite Books 33:41 Wrap Up and Goodbye Medical disclaimer:  All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Episode Sponsors Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Drawing from their own lived experiences, they discuss everything from when to disclose a diagnosis while dating to navigating rejection, communicating with partners, managing physical intimacy, and recognizing relationship red flags. They also share practical advice for building healthy partnerships rooted in honesty, empathy, and mutual support. Along the way, Cheryl and Eileen examine what research tells us about chronic illness, loneliness, and relationship outcomes, while challenging the myth that arthritis inevitably harms romantic relationships. Instead, they argue that although chronic illness can create real challenges, it can also deepen connection, vulnerability, and resilience with the right partner. Above all, they emphasize that the strongest foundation for any relationship is cultivating self-compassion, self-worth, and a healthy relationship with yourself first. Episode at a glance: 00:00 Welcome and Premise 00:33 Why This Topic Matters 01:02 Eileen and Cheryl Backgrounds 03:05 When to Disclose Illness 06:26 Cheryl Dating Lessons 10:36 Myth vs Fact Impact 12:56 Self Love and Breaks 18:34 Sex and Intimacy Tips 27:28 Relationship Styles That Work 30:30 Loneliness and Health Research 34:19 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up Medical disclaimer:  All content found on Arthritis Life public channels (including Rheumer Has It) was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Episode Sponsors Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this updated introduction, I share how my response to this question has changed, the importance of exploring internalized ableism, and why I think a better question is: Can I build a joyful, meaningful life with rheumatoid arthritis along for the ride? After these reflections, you'll hear the original 2021 episode and see what has changed, and what has stayed the same in my thinking over the years. This is very much informed by the rich discussions I’ve had with people in the Rheum to THRIVE communities and the Arthritis Life community at large, whether on social media, email or in person. I would love to hear your thoughts on this question after listening to the episode!  Episode at a Glance 2026 updated thoughts: 00:00 Why Revisit Normal 02:16 Redefining Normal Life 06:05 Ableism And New Goals 08:50 Acceptance Not Giving Up 17:24 Thriving Without Remission 19:28 Toolboxes Fixing And Adapting 22:22 Community And Imperfection 2021 original audio:  26:08 Origins Of The Question 29:43 “Normal Compared To What?” 33:25 Uncertainty And Remission Paths 34:44 Truth Bombs And New Normal 41:43 Pain Versus Suffering 44:34 ACT In Practice 50:43 Rheum To THRIVE Framework 53:22 Final Takeaways Medical disclaimer:  All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Episode Sponsors Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.