An interview with a JIA Hero and Advocate

By Brad, Health Guide Tuesday, July 17, 2012

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Michelle Maria is an advocate for JRA and RA, an Ambassador for several RA support groups even starting her own on Facebook: CRY (Changed by RA Young). She has worked with the Arthritis Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology. She has been featured in many newspaper and magazine articles ...

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Brad, Health Guide

7/18/12 1:40am

That last pic is of Michelle and myself! I finally was able to meet her at the ACR Advocacy trip last year in Washington DC.

RA Tray

7/18/12 10:04am

I just want to tell you both how much I enjoyed reading this article. Michelle is a HUGE inspiration to me and has become the sister I never had. Thank you Brad for writing such a great article. Gonna share this with everybody I know!!! Sincerely, Tracy Pierce (RA Tray)

Brad, Health Guide

7/18/12 11:52pm

Thank you Tracy! I know we just met on Squeaky Joints, funny we both have the same sister from another mister! :) Thanks for your kind words! Michelle is an inspiration for sure!

Brad

Dawn T

7/18/12 4:57pm

you did a wonderful job with this story.. Michelle has been an incredible source of support for so many people. My prayers are with her and everyone this disease attacks (myself included). The hardest part is not understanding yourself so how can you explain to others.. its just a cluster of emotions.

Brad, Health Guide

7/18/12 11:54pm

Very true Dawn! To me that is why these support sites are so very important. People just do not "get it" unless they have RA. At least we can understand each other and offer real encouragment here. Hope you are doing well.

Brad

Dawn T

7/19/12 12:09am

Hanging in there.. its all we can do.. just so tired of always having to fight for every thing all the time

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

7/25/12 1:31pm

fantastic interview, Brad! You asked some really good questions that brought out the truth about living with JA. I recognized a lot of what Michele has gone through for my own journey with the disease - it brought back a lot of memories.

Thank you so much to you and Michele for this post.

An interview with a JIA Hero and Advocate

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