Osteoarthritis Expert Pattye Snyder shares Osteoarthritis management news and commentary at MyOsteoarthritisCentral.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89 http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89 http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/43083/challenges Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:20:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder In a recent National Annual Report for the Arthritis Foundation (2007), I read an interview about an osteoarthritis patient like many of us. She said "I was somewhat forcibly living in solitude with my disease. I felt I was a "failure" and had a loss of independence due to my lack of stability and balance -- I was robbed of things I value and fear due to my fear of falling."   I understand. I felt that way more than ever in Africa!!!... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/43083/challenges http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/38810/punishment Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:05:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder   As I've mentioned before, I love cooking and I finally figured out a version of my brownies for Africa (much to the endearment of my fellow volunteers who are chocaholics and the amazement of native friends who had never tasted such a thing!).This last week, our two administrators happened to have birthdays on the same day, so I was again asked to make this delicacy as a surprise. To my relief, money was donated this time to finance... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/38810/punishment http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/37766/zebras-robbery Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:59:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder Much to my horror, I was robbed of $400 last week -- an amount I'd saved during my summer of hard work so that I could go on a well-deserved, 3-day safari.   Last Friday was Nani Nani, a national Tanzanian holiday celebrating the agricultural communities, so I had hoped to sneak away for a safari, an activity I love, since we had a long break! I think I know who stole the money. I felt very violated, but ultimately prayed that whoever... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/37766/zebras-robbery http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/37130/lizard-wedding Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:19:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder Hujambo from Tanzania! My life continues to be full of surprises and adventures. So many things that are "taken for granted" in the U.S. can become a major challenge here. I have a cute roommate in my little cement house that I call Larry. He's a tiny lizard about 3 inches long who is awesome at keeping the mosquito population manageable.   It is very difficult to find a stamp for a post card or letter and even harder to mail (for me... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/37130/lizard-wedding http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/36315/chocolate Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:23:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder A new "wrinkle" occurred in my African adventure last week. I suddenly felt I was getting a bad chest cold last Saturday, and was miserable with a headache, high fever, and a barky cough. At the recommendation of a couple of friends, I went to my first African hospital last Sunday for a blood test for malaria (we've had a major outbreak in this area lately due to unseasonable rains and extra cool temperatures). Much to my dismay, my count was... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/36315/chocolate http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/35826/cultural Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:53:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder Most people who've never been in Africa, especially Tanzania, East Africa, can't fathom how different my life is now. Much to the amusement (and amazement) of my American family and friends, I must wear ankle-length skirts with tops, or long dresses at work all of the time to show respect for the culture. I'm incredibly grateful that the only mirror available to me in my room must have been installed by a Masai warrior (they are extremely... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/35826/cultural http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/35572/frustrations Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:18:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder I seldom lose my temper in Africa, because I'm usually relaxed and very happy; however, life as I know it threw me a new challenge today. Although I'm normally very laid-back, I feel strongly in following rules and guidelines and would never do anything to upset the proverbial "apple cart" (gee, I'm in Africa -- should I say "mango cart?").   Today, a new CCS volunteer (the company I work for) began at my job placement. He is young, but... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/35572/frustrations http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/34737/flops-mornings Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:26:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder   It will be incredibly hard to return to the fast-paced life in America. I absolutely love the peace of waking here after a chilly night and a softly quiet African morning. As I unwind from my mosquito netting (I don't know how I get that way) I look forward to my first cup of coffee, even though it's instant. I sit outside under the dining roof with no humans around, yet feeling the peace, and listening as our world awakens. Mourning... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/34737/flops-mornings http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/34039/dalas-mountain Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:29:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder Our dinner on the Muslim island of Pemba was "Chips and Goat" -- the meat was tiny, dried bits that we HOPED was goat and not something more exotic, so we cheerfully just swallowed it and ate lots of potatoes!   After literally spicing up our lives, we stopped by a forest preserve, again, seldom visited by tourists. We were given a "lecture" by the naturalist on all of the birds and wildlife in the forest. We paid for our tour and began... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/34039/dalas-mountain http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/33537/dalas-mountain Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:39:00 -0000 Pattye Snyder I've gotten so behind on my daily journal, and I don't seem to know where the days go. My days are filled with my teaching in the prison yard for juveniles, TRYING to hand wash all of my laundry and hanging it out to dry when it's sunny, studying, more language and cultural lessons, etc.   Last week, a new group of volunteers came in with many sets of mothers and daughters, and even one entire family with college-age kids - what an... http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/89/33537/dalas-mountain