Misunderstanding RA - How Much is the Media to Blame?

By Tiffany Westrich, Health Guide Thursday, January 19, 2012

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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a misunderstood disease. Most people think RA involves only the joints, particularly those of the hands, fingers and feet. Some associate it with Osteoarthritis (OA), the common, degenerative condition that will affect most people at some point in their lives.&...

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gee

1/19/12 2:21pm

I'm so happy someone took the time to put this in to words to clear RA up for some people who just have no idea. Thanks!

Tiffany Westrich, Health Guide

1/19/12 7:23pm

Thank you Gee- This is a HUGE passion of mine...talking about how the media feeds in to the misunderstanding. I had trouble getting this all into a short article, I have so many more examples I think I could write a whole book on it! lol But it's partly because with IAAM (the International Autoimmune Arthritis Movement) I worked with a team to create the 1st ever "Media Awareness Hotline" which we just launched a few months ago. So I've been consumed with exploring "why" it's so misunderstood while really studying what's being shown on a day to day basis.

The fact is, we CAN change this. It's going to start with showcasing the group of Autoimmune Arthritis diseases (which are all treated with the same medications) and separating them from OA.

Giada

1/19/12 2:48pm

Hello Tiffany, love the article and I took the liberty to share it on my site: http://www.lupusawareness.info/awareness-support/rheumatoid-arthritis/

Hope you don't mind:-) Huggies.

Tiffany Westrich, Health Guide

1/19/12 7:25pm

Hi Giada! I'm loving that you are sharing this- and side note, we'll need to get your site added to IAAM's Lupus section as we begin remodeling the site. Together we'll all make Autoimmune Arthritis a household name!!! :)

woodstockkid

1/19/12 4:54pm

What a great explanation of how the media is helping to create (and continue) the misunderstandings between Autoimmune Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. I love the suggestions for what everyone can do to help bring about change. If we all pitch in, we CAN make a difference!

Tiffany Westrich, Health Guide

1/19/12 7:26pm

WE WILL do this, I have NO doubt! ;)

Kelly Conway

1/19/12 5:02pm

Tiffany,

I always feel like you are stealing the thoughts right out of my head! Thank you for writing information that speaks for all of us suffering with RA. Awareness is critical.

Tiffany Westrich, Health Guide

1/19/12 7:27pm

Well, Kelly, given we've already figured out we have the SAME artwork and SAME living room area rug, yet we've NEVER met in person- I am not surprised I'm taking the thoughts out of your head. lol

Thanks, girl, we'll be delving into this type of awareness a TON in IAAM this year and things WILL change! But I don't have to tell you that, you likely read that on my mind already ;)

Lauren

1/20/12 11:35am

Great article!

Tiffany Westrich, Health Guide

1/20/12 2:32pm

Thanks Lauren! I appreciate your feedback :).

Snazzyact

1/28/12 11:55am

In order to help the misconceptions, all my RA friends and I call it "RAD" Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease. Just a few days ago I was able to open up a discussion with someone waiting in line with me, explaining RAD. She was very amazed at her misconception. I'm sure if the topic comes up, she will pass along what RAD really is! I firmly believe that if we, as RA disease patients, stop using the word "arthritis", the public will begin to see the light.

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

2/ 8/12 2:58pm

fabulous article, Tiffany! Thanks for the excellent pointers on how we can all participating in changing the misconceptions about RA.

Misunderstanding RA - How Much is the Media to Blame?

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