Arthritis LIFE, Seattle, WA (2026)

Q: What is the website?

https://arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com/

04/22/2026

🤔A lot of people think of the severity of rheumatoid arthritis on a linear scale, only looking at joint pain, blood markers and imaging. If bloodwork “looks good,” you are considered to have “mild” RA, and your disease is presumed to have a “mild” impact on your life.

🧐 But really, the impact of RA on your quality of life is determined by many systemic symptoms beyond joint pain, plus the intersection of those symptoms and the unique context of your life.

🌟Rheumatoid arthritis affects your WHOLE life, not just your joints. I created this framework* to show how RA impacts quality of life differently for each person in multiple domains.

❤ For example, one person’s pain might be well controlled, but their fatigue, brain fog (“executive functions”) and lack of social support lead to difficulty functioning. This person has a severe negative impact on quality of life and needs help despite their RA being labelled as “mild” by health professionals.

❤Another person with RA may have high pain levels, but they are accompanied by high social, financial and emotional support and low fatigue, leading to a lower negative impact on quality of life than would be presumed based on pain levels alone.

🙌You deserve support for ALL the ways rheumatoid arthritis affects your life. That’s why I created the Rheum to THRIVE program!

In the self paced course, I teach evidence-based tools for managing the 6 core impacts rheumatic disease has on quality of life, in a down to earth, step by step fashion.

✅ You can take the self-paced course anytime, or you can do the course plus a 14 week support group. Support group registration is open now through May 5th or when the next group fills up (currently 3 spots left) - comment “thrive” to get all the details!

🙌 Does this “Rheumatoid Arthritis Wheel of Impact” resonate with you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

*When creating this framework I took inspiration from Rebecca Burgess’ “Understanding The Spectrum – A Comic Strip Explanation,” as well as the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework!

04/21/2026

🎙In this episode, Cheryl talks with science writer Lorraine Boissinault about her new book Body Weather: Notes on Chronic Illness and the Anthropocene, which explores the parallels between chronic illness and environmental change.

🌩Lorraine introduces the concept of “body weather,” describing chronic illness as a fluctuating, hard-to-predict “chaotic system” that can be tracked but not fully controlled.

✅She shares her complex diagnostic journey across multiple autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, highlighting the uncertainty and overlap many patients experience.

👥Cheryl and Lorraine discuss shifting from a “cure” mindset to one focused on management, the role of community (including Rheum to THRIVE), and how writing can be a powerful tool for processing and meaning-making.

👍Together, they explore how reframing expectations, finding connection, and letting go of the illusion of control can help people feel less alone and more capable.

💜If you’re newly diagnosed, this conversation offers both validation and a gentle reminder that, over time, navigating your health and your life can become more manageable.

👂🏼Listen to Episode 193 now on your favorite podcast player, watch the video on YouTube, or go to https://www.arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com for a full transcript.

04/20/2026

❓Are you newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis or osteonecrosis?

✅Deb Andio has some great words of advice for those newly diagnosed!

🌟Learn more from Deb in Episode 193 of The Arthritis Life Website by listening on your favorite podcast player, watching the video on YouTube, or going to https://arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com for a full transcript.

👇OR comment ADVICE below for the link!

04/20/2026

💚 In anticipation of “Green Heart Fridays” this May, here are two occupational therapist-approved ways to reduce hand pain while painting!

I personally use these when my thumb and fingers are sore from rheumatoid arthritis:

1) Use “U cuff” or universal cuff like the Eazy-Hold to protect sore thumb and finger joints and reduce active grasping demands.

2) Use the “adaptive tripod” grasp or “Taylor Swift” grasp, where the brush is stabilized between the pointer finger and middle finger.

More about the Green Heart Fridays campaign💚💚💚:

💚 Each Friday in May, people across the country are invited to share a Green Heart on social media, tag the Arthritis Foundation and use the hashtag .

💚 This could be as simple as drawing a Green Heart on a piece of paper, painting a Green Heart, or simply sharing a Green Heart post from the Foundation.

💚 In addition to asking people to share their own Green Heart art, the Foundation has teamed up with artists across the country in 11 cities to help amplify the Green Heart message and raise awareness of arthritis.

🙌 So, make your own Green Heart and post it to social media on Fridays in May and be sure to follow the Arthritis Foundation to see all of the artist’s artwork as well. I can’t wait to see what you make!

(PS April is also occupational therapy month, which is a great reason to explore adaptations to make everyday tasks easier!)

04/18/2026

Photo dump from my Whirlwind 18 hours trip to Portland to see Jenny Lawson’s book reading / book signing!

It was an absolute joy to see Jenny Lawson in person for the first time, and to get to actually meet her at her book signing was icing on the cake!

MY REVIEW of “How to be OK when Nothing is OK”

I’ve always loved Jenny’s storytelling, the mixture of absurdity and hilarity sprinkled in between achingly raw and honest reflections on what it’s like to live with chronic illness, chronic pain, treatment resistant depression and at times debilitating anxiety.

Her previous books fell into memoir territory and her latest, “How to Be OK when Nothing is OK,” is her first foray into self-help. But fans of her storytelling should be reassured that the book still includes many kooky, harebrained stories!

I absolutely LOVED this book on so many levels: structure, honesty, validation, humor, the actual mental health tips AND motivation for those endeavoring to put creative works out into the universe.

As someone who is currently working on her own book (which is shaping up to be a hybrid of memoir and self help) I found this book INCREDIBLY reassuring and helpful!

At one point she reminds the reader something to the effect of “if you’re not a co**se, congratulations it’s not too late to do that creative thing you’ve always wanted to do” (and then she goes on to mention how co**ses can also have impact but I won’t spoil that for you).

I’ll share my longer review on Goodreads but suffice it to say I am in LOVE with this book!

Enjoy these pics from my whirlwind trip on the train from Seattle to Portland!

This includes delicious sushi from , a delightful hotel room at , a voyage to Powell’s City of Books where I said hi to some of my favorites, the book event at Revolution Hall and more!

04/16/2026

Have you ever wished there was an actual roadmap for living with rheumatic disease?

If so, I have great news for you: registration is officially open for the May–September 2026 Rheum to THRIVE support program 💚

This structured support program helps you build practical tools, feel more confident at doctor appointments, and connect with people who truly “get it.”

By the end of the 14 week program, which blends pre-recorded lectures with live hour-long support meetings members consistently report feeling:

✨ Less alone
✨ More informed
✨ More capable of managing daily life

This cohort will be led by Certified Rheum to THRIVE Facilitators Eileen Davidson & Gittel Aguilar 🎉

They both bring lived experience (RA, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s and more) plus the kind of empathy and insight that’s hard to find in traditional support spaces.

What to expect:
✔ Small group (capped at 12)
✔ Structured, evidence-based curriculum
✔ Real-life strategies (not just theory)
✔ Realistic hope grounded in science

We’re also offering 25% off through Saturday 4/18, and scholarships / sliding scale (“pay what you can”) options are available (DM for details)

If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is your moment. Spots are first come, first served.

Comment “THRIVE” and I’ll send you the link, or check the link in bio to save your spot!

Eileen Davidson | Chronic Illness Advocate Gittel Paola Aguilar

04/15/2026

🌟If you’re newly diagnosed, this episode feels like meeting two people who truly get it.

✅Cheryl sits down with Rheum to THRIVE facilitators Eileen Davidson and Gittel Aguilar, who openly share their own diagnosis journeys and what led them to their roles as patient educators and support group leaders today.

✅Eileen and Gittel talk about why they’re passionate about leading support spaces, what those groups are really like (spoiler: welcoming, not intimidating), and how connection can make a huge difference. You’ll also hear gentle, practical advice for those early days like pacing yourself, adapting as you go, and redefining what it means to thrive.

💜It’s a comforting reminder that even with chronic illness, you can still build a full, meaningful life and you don’t have to figure it out alone. And if you’d like to join one of the latest Rheum to THRIVE groups, you can do so here.

🎙Listen to this episode now on your favorite podcast player, watch the video on YouTube, or go to https://www.arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com for a full transcript.

04/14/2026

What if you didn’t have to figure out rheumatic disease alone?

Meet Eileen Davidson 💜

Co-facilitator for the upcoming Rheum to THRIVE group.

Eileen is:
✔ A patient advocate living with RA + axial spondyloarthritis
✔ A published writer (150+ articles!)
✔ A calm, empathetic guide who truly “gets it”

Her mission says it all: “No one should feel lost, confused and alone when facing a rheumatic disease.”

Inside this program, you’ll:
✨ Connect with people who understand
✨ Learn practical, evidence-based tools
✨ Feel supported every step of the way

My testimonial for Eileen:
“Eileen is one of the most knowledgeable patient educators I know. As a facilitator, she is calm, collected, and empathetic and a fantastic problem solver. Eileen has an encyclopedic knowledge of specific tools to manage all aspects of rheumatic disease and I can’t wait for new group members to get to know her!” -Cheryl Crow

🔗 Link to learn more: https://arthritislifeschool.thinkific.com/

(Registration is currently open to the waitlist only, and opens to everyone on Thursday, April 16th)!

Have questions? Don't hesitate to drop them below!

04/13/2026

Can you relate?

This is a dramatic reenactment of what I imagine my own immune system says to me after attacking my joints for 23 years and requiring $80,000/year meds to function 🙃

Sound courtesy of the iconic Parks & Recreation show!

04/13/2026

Meet Gittel 💜

She started experiencing chronic pain at 15… and didn’t get answers until her diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis at 30.

Gittel is a “forever teacher,” a writer, and someone who knows firsthand how long and confusing this journey can be.

She also knows how isolating it can feel.

When Gittel joined the Rheum to THRIVE community, she not only developed a toolbox for managing her symptoms, she found a sense of belonging.

I'm thrilled to announce that Gittel is now a Rheum to THRIVE Certified facilitator, and she'll be co-leading the next cohort with Eileen Davidson!

“Gittel has been an instrumental part of the Rheum to THRIVE community for 5 years. She is equally comfortable serving as an earnest cheerleader, a proactive problem solver, and an empathetic shoulder to cry on. She always reminds me “My now is not my forever,” and she also has the best memes! I can't wait for her to shine in her new role as group facilitator this May.” -Cheryl Crow, Rheum to THRIVE program creator

Gittel cannot wait to welcome you into a space where you can show up as you are, feel understood, and not have to explain everything from scratch.

In the small Rheum to THRIVE support groups, you won't just learn tools to manage your disease - you'll also experience connection, support, and people who truly get it.

💬 See all the details at: https://arthritislifeschool.thinkific.com/

(Registration is currently open to the waitlist only, and opens to everyone on Thursday, April 16th)!

Have questions? Don't hesitate to drop them below!

04/10/2026

🍷Anyone else find it funny how people always need to know why you don’t drink (alcohol)?

✅ Many people on methotrexate, including me, don’t drink because it interferes with our meds!

Thanks Tiffany for the original video that I just had to duet!

04/09/2026

😅 Here are some of my favorite outtakes from almost years of making videos for Arthritis Life!

💜 This is also your gentle reminder to “not compare your outtakes to someone else’s highlight reel” - it’s ok if it takes you multiple tries to get something just how you want it in life!

❓What’s your favorite outtake? How many times do I say “jar opener” instead of “can opener?” Watch the full 45 second video to find out!

👇Comment OOPS below to get a link of some of the products mentioned!

Arthritis LIFE

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