My journey with the Arthritis Foundation and how my love of art has inspired me to help others

Holly,

You are doing such wonderful things for yourself and for others.  Congratulations.  Each day in itself is a blessing, I often tell myself.  My all of your helping others continue to sustain you.  Now I'm curious to check out your boutique.  BTW, I grew up in Midwest City and attended OU.  Nice to meet another Okie (although now I live in Washington, D.C.) 

as always, your post gave a nice bit of perspective. I, too, have spent my time in hell and I'm grateful every day for what I have.

AWESOME Holly. Enough said.

Have a good day, Kelly

Holly, that is a lovely story.  Thank you for sharing it with us.

When I first found RA Central two years ago (can it be that long?) your story was among the first posts that I read.  And when I finally posted my story, you were among the first to respond and your words were so comforting to me.

Since then I have become a regular reader and I am always glad to hear from you.  I have found your posts by turns, to be wise, funny, inspiring, humbling, heart-warming, and full of good advice. 

I love the story of your Grandpa taking groceries to those in need.  How wonderful that he blessed so many people with his kind and generous spirit.  And now you are passing that spirit on to your children, us and to others.  Its a story that feeds my hope. 

Thank you, and best wishes with all of your new endeavors!

Josephine  

Your post was very encouraging, but I just wanted to make sure you weren't making silver jewellry with a torch and lead solder.  It ruined my lungs, and started in on the path to auto-immune disorders, including RA. It is one of the questions they ask at the local teaching hospital to people who have auto-immune disorders. The solder packages say quite clearly they contain lead-cadmium, and are dangerous, and do not use without proper ventilation, but I was young and invincible when I was making jewellry, and thought it didn't apply to me! How wrong I was. If you are doing bead work, or enamel, or something like that, you will be fine!

Hi Holly,

Thanks for very inspiring story. Now when i don't feel like rolling out of the bed feeling sorry for myself i will think of you.

I do thank God everyday for giving me the opportunity to enjoy his great world the best i can. If you think you have it bad just take a look around. Your grand dad is a wonderful person to instill those values in you, it is my dream too, to help others. I wish my income wasn't so limited to where i could help those in need. That is my dream too.

Thanks again for the great story. I would like to check out the boutique too.

Keep up the good work sweetie,

Lisa