Living The Dream

April 25, 2018April 24, 2018

Traveling with an Invisible Disability: My 2015 BSR Presentation Experience

In a few weeks, the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) will hold its annual conference. This year, Liverpool is the host city, which is not too far from me ... Read more

April 11, 2018April 10, 2018

Medical Research and Raising Awareness

Columns, Living The Dream

Spring has reluctantly arrived over here in the United Kingdom. An increase in the temperature is most welcome, even if it is only marginal due to my location. To ... Read more

March 28, 2018March 27, 2018

Scleroderma: March Is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month

Columns, Living The Dream

In an autoimmune disease, the body’s natural defense system, the immune system, malfunctions or “trips out,” resulting in the body attacking itself. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association lists over ... Read more

March 14, 2018March 13, 2018

‘Your Skin Cancer Has Cleared’

Columns, Living The Dream

“Your skin cancer has cleared.” 2018 started with a scleroderma-related, potentially life-threatening additional health challenge. A Bowen’s skin patch presented itself on my left knee. Last summer, I recognized the ... Read more

February 28, 2018February 27, 2018

Rare Disease Day 2018: Research

Columns, Living The Dream

Today, Feb. 28, is Rare Disease Day. This year’s theme is “Research.” Living with a rare disease is daunting in every way imaginable. Having been a diffuse scleroderma, rare ... Read more

February 14, 2018February 13, 2018

If Only We Had More Investment in Medical Research

Columns, Living The Dream

Today, Feb. 14, is Valentine’s Day. Scleroderma can affect the heart in various ways. Fibrosis of the heart can be life-threatening, and may contribute to pulmonary arterial hypertension. Upon initial ... Read more

January 31, 2018January 30, 2018

The Pandora’s Box of Scleroderma

Columns, Living The Dream

Living with a rare disease that has an unknown cause and no cure is daunting in every way imaginable. For me, managing my scleroderma symptoms, combined with fatigue, mobility challenges, ... Read more

January 17, 2018January 16, 2018

2018 Key Event Dates for the Scleroderma Community

Columns, Living The Dream

2018 is looking to be a very busy and exciting year for scleroderma patients. Before I discuss some of the many events scheduled for the year: Thank you to ... Read more

October 18, 2017October 17, 2017

Invisible Disabilities Week and Raynaud’s Awareness Month

Columns, Living The Dream

Invisible Disabilities Week, Oct. 15-21, started Sunday, combining with the ongoing October Raynaud’s Awareness Month campaign. It made this a very busy week for our global patient community with ... Read more

October 4, 2017October 4, 2017

October Is Raynaud’s Awareness Month

Columns, Living The Dream

Sunday, Oct. 1, was the start of #RaynaudsAwarenessMonth 2017. As scleroderma patients, we know all too well how debilitating and painful the symptoms of Raynaud’s can be. In addition, ... Read more

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