Join Elizabeth Medeiros, a blogger with juvenile psoriatic arthritis (PsA), as she takes us through her diagnostic journey and shares the valuable lessons she's learned while navigating her health care since childhood. Elizabeth talks about growing up with an inflammatory disease, dating, and how finding love and discovering fun hobbies have added joy to her life.

Among the highlights in this episode:

0:36 : Quote by Kristen Butler: "I used to think I could fix anything in my life if I tried a little harder or gave it more time. But some things aren't meant to be fixed. Sometimes all you can do is make peace with it and move forward, knowing you are doing the best you could”

1:56 : Our guest, Elizabeth Medeiros, shares her diagnosis journey

2:43 : “I'm so grateful for my mom who definitely kept fighting for referrals because without her and her persistence, I wouldn't have been able to have gotten my diagnosis… later in childhood,” says Elizabeth

4:22 : The challenges of going through a diagnosis journey during childhood versus adulthood

5:50 : “Despite PsA being equally occurring in men and women, women do often report experiencing more fatigue and functional limitations, but they also say that women are less likely to respond to some of the treatments and receive remission,” says Angel Tapia, Senior Manager of Hispanic Outreach at GHLF

6:25 : Elizabeth explains how she listens to her body during a flare

8:00 : Elizabeth discusses the challenges associated with dating a person diagnosed with a chronic illness and shares dating tips based on her own experience

11:37 : Elizabeth shares her journey to becoming an advocate

13:41 : How healthy food and cooking tricks can help mitigate symptoms

19:03 : The connection between physical, spiritual, and mental health

22:10 : The importance of self-care and tips on small incremental actions that can be taken to better manage symptoms

Contact Our Hosts

Angel Tapia, Senior Manager of Hispanic Outreach: atapia@ghlf.org

Danielle Ali, Senior Systems Analyst: dali@ghlf.org

Amy Finkelstein, Operations Administrator: afinkelstein@ghlf.org

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