Katie Roberts is aChronic Strength Champion, which means she doesn’t just take control of her pain — she battles back. Read to learn how Katie has found ways to overcome her psoriatic arthritis.
When I was 17, I was told I wouldn’t live to see my 21stbirthday. My immune system and vital organs were taking a hit from the impacts of psoriatic arthritis — a condition I’d already battled for many years.
And over the last three decades, I’ve had no choice but to learn how to not only manage my condition, but also to live a full life. Like a science, I’ve nailed down how to go about an active routine that involves yoga, meditation, photography and regular exercise — even stand-up paddle boarding. It’s not all fun and games, but fortunately, I’ve had support from theArthritis Foundationto help battle against my pain.
Building my pain management toolkit
In my free time, I stay active with yoga, walking, Pilates and stand-up paddle boarding, as well as meditation, acupuncture, massage,guided imageryand aromatherapy for pain management. I’ve found that having several tools in my toolkit — some of which were inspired by thee-book, “60 Ways to Fight and Prevent Pain,”for staying active while managing pain — has been really important in maintaining my health overall.
To everyone living with chronic pain, I recommend using theArthritis Foundation’s tips for making a pain management plan guide开始。这种方法帮助我设定目标并坚持下去，同时允许我在意想不到的痛苦降临时定制我的计划。
For example, on days when I’m in a lot of pain, I know to scale back my yoga or SUP workout or to weave in other supportive measures likeEpsom salt bathsand heating pads. Having a variety of tools, resources and proven pain management techniques helps me be prepared for any challenges that arise, even if it means changing my plans.
Influencing change for good
One of the driving reasons why I’m a patient advocate volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation is the difficult time I went through as a child. At the time, there were no quality medications available to help treat my arthritis and related comorbidities. I want to make sure no one else ever has to experience what I went through in the early treatment stages.
I am so fortunate that today I haveaccess to quality health careand the ability to afford it through my employer’s insurance. Thanks to innovations in medicine, I feel I have been given a second chance at life. I want everyone going through a difficult time with arthritis to feel hopeful that they, too, can get a second chance.
在我作为一名倡导者的志愿工作中，我与立法者会面，帮助他们了解他们对各种医疗保健相关倡议的广泛影响。意识到一个故事——我的故事——是如何有力量影响改变，使之向好的方向发展，并给他人带来希望，这是一种赋权。这就是为什么我喜欢做一个病人的拥护者，为什么我的人生使命就是继续这项工作。