As the co-founder and president of CreakyJoints, I speak with people every day about how important it is to stay positive and not let a chronic disease, like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rob them of living the life they want to lead. However, I do know, all too well, that sometimes that is easier said than done. It takes a lot of strength to rise above. When I was first diagnosed with spondyloarthritis at age 13, I felt isolated and alone.

But, it was through volunteering; first through a national advocacy organization, that I realized my condition did not have to dictate my life. I wanted others to know this and feel connected, too. This prompted me to co-found CreakyJoints, an organization that I’ve helped build over the last 10 years, starting in my college dorm room. We now have an online presence of more than 32,000 members! Looking back, I can say that over the last 10 years, a lot has changed about how we think about chronic illnesses. For one thing, new treatments have come along that have made living with lifelong diseases like RA much easier.

 "While no person with RA is the same, many share a common drive to give back to the communities that have been so supportive of them throughout the course of their illness. What’s even more inspiring is that many of these people, who may be challenged by pain or fatigue, are already giving back to their communities through some act of volunteering."

I hear stories every day of people who are giving their time at local homeless shelters, helping out at their local church, or simply lending a listening ear to a help hotline.

These spirited and inspiring people are already turning the tables, not only on their RA, but on the notion that people with a chronic disease are unable to give back. We at CreakyJoints think this a very positive and empowering message for the community and why we are proud to be part of the Hand in Hand for RA campaign.

If you’re someone who thinks you might want to become a part of the Hand in Hand for RA movement, I encourage you to explore what others are doing and learn about what options are out there for you. If you already are out there giving back, we would love to hear your story by clicking here.

It’s important to remember that while chronic conditions like RA can certainly cause us pain and other symptoms, they do not have to take away the enjoyment we feel when we help those around us. For me, giving back to my community locally and nationally is the best way of saying, “My illness does not define who I am and who I want to be!”