She is a healthy, energetic 26 year-old from the outside, but Meg Maley has been battling with psoriatic arthritis most of her life. In the summer of 2015, Meg had the opportunity to become a houseguest on the CBS reality show, “Big Brother.” Before and during the show, Meg kept her disease a secret, fearing the thought of others putting limitations on her. After the show ended, Meg decided to use her newly found platform as an opportunity to finally share her story of living with psoriatic arthritis.
Meg was diagnosedpsoriatic arthritis(PSA) around the age of 12. Leading up to her diagnosis, she experienced hip and joint pain and spent months on crutches. After months of not knowing what was causing her pain, lab tests and family history of psoriasis and arthritis led doctors to make a connection and Meg was formally diagnosed.
确诊后，梅格想继续生活，就像一切正常一样。她不想告诉她的朋友和老师，而是微笑着度过痛苦，这样就没有人会觉得有什么不对劲了。她在课程表上留出时间，能够离开学校输液，并及时赶回来，没有问任何问题。她甚至在没有告诉她最亲密的朋友的情况下做了三次双膝滑膜切除术。在她生命的大半时间里，梅格都在独自与PSA抗争。
梅格喜欢电视真人秀，喜欢娱乐大众，所以她上《老大哥》也就不足为奇了。梅格说:“在这个节目中，人们可以整天在电视或网络上看到你做的一切。”“粉丝们注意到，体能比赛根本不是我的强项，我的膝盖上还有一道伤疤。”梅格开始意识到，也许终于到了分享她的故事的时候了。
After the show ended, Meg and her friend, Andrea Boehlke, who has also appeared on the reality show “Survivor”, decided they wanted to host a reality show meet-and-greet to raise money for a charity. They talked to many different charities about donating the proceeds. One day, Meg had an epiphany. She has arthritis, it only makes sense to use this opportunity to share her story and raise money to benefit others with arthritis.
Meg reached out to the Arthritis Foundation and a wonderful relationship began. Meg and Andrea hosted a reality show event and raised over $15,000 for the Arthritis Foundation. “I really felt like I was in the right place at the right time, this is what I need to be doing,” said Meg. “After ignoring my disease for so long I want to support the Arthritis Foundation so we can find a cure and a way to live without pain and restrictions.”
Meg knows what it is like to live with arthritis for many years but has not met or known anyone in her age group with arthritis. She wants to share her story and inspire other young people with arthritis to not be silent. “It’s okay to reach out and share your story if your body hurts, get the help you need,” said Meg. “Something I struggle with is the fact that people can’t see that you’re ill and when you can’t do normal activities. That’s why we need to have these conversations.”
Meg and Andrea will emcee theNew York City Walk to Cure Arthritis5月14日。梅格希望你能加入她的步行活动，和她一起分享你的故事，患有关节炎的年轻人并不孤单。
Follow Meg as she shares her story of living with PSA on social media. Twitter and Instagram: @MegMaley