Tenacious ME

Tenacious ME Tackling disabling autoimmune disease with obstinance and humor!

05/29/2026

Just a little reminder to all of you out there navigating life with cranky joints. You are not alone!

Remember when I flew to Austin to share my experience with medical access? Thanks to the amazing folks at  for the help ...
05/22/2026

Remember when I flew to Austin to share my experience with medical access? Thanks to the amazing folks at for the help sharing my story. They have created something really wonderful I am incredibly happy to share with you.
"The truth is I've been disabled by lack of medical access." -Stasha Parker
Find it on YouTube I will get the link up in my bio 💜
Thank you for all of the support! This community is what keeps me pushing for better care for all!!!
Next stop...capital hill!!

Let's help all the newbies out there, what is one thing you wish you had known before you were diagnosed with arthritis?...
05/18/2026

Let's help all the newbies out there, what is one thing you wish you had known before you were diagnosed with arthritis? Knowledge is power, let's empower each other! I will get us started!

I wish I had known that arthritis doesn't have an age limit! Had I understood that, I might have understood my own symptoms sooner. What do you wish you had known sooner about Arthritis?

The truth is, life with rheumatoid arthritis can get lonely.  Living in a body that doesn't keep pace with the rest of t...
05/12/2026

The truth is, life with rheumatoid arthritis can get lonely. Living in a body that doesn't keep pace with the rest of the world can leave you feeling like a constant observer. Always on the outside looking in. Watching other people crush their goals, burn the candle at both ends, and live active lives can lead to some serious fomo.

Over the years we have found a remedy for all that fomo, people who actually understand and are living this rheumatoid life. Connecting with other people with RA reminds us that we are not alone. Sharing our wins and losses, the things that get us through the week, and how we navigate the broken systems we are forced to work with, empowers us to live our best lives.

Join us this Thursday, May 14 at 3pm (ET) sign up in the rheumatoid arthritis national connect group events page, connectgroups.arthritis.org

The glass half full, positive person I appear to be is a choice.  It isn't that I don't have depressing thoughts. I have...
05/11/2026

The glass half full, positive person I appear to be is a choice. It isn't that I don't have depressing thoughts. I have just learned over the years not to cultivate them.

My close friends could tell you, I have plenty of negative thoughts, some truly dark and twisty. A lifetime of life induced anxiety and depression will do that to a person.
My inner critic often pops up to cut me down. It tells me I am lazy, not enough, not trying hard enough, don't fit in, don't really matter...the list goes on and on and on.

Then there is the endless stream of worst case scenarios anxiety brings to the table. If it could go wrong, there is a good chance I've considered it already. Even the really weird things because anxiety paired with a creative imagination is, well, iykyk 😂

The truth is I am always managing my mental health. Reframing has become an Olympic sport in my mental gym. Sometimes it feels like a reflex, other times someone close to me has to remind me. Positivity is a practice. Mindset is something you cultivate, not just a trendy buzzword.

How you talk to yourself matters. It becomes how you see yourself and the world around you. Speak positivity into your life, see what blooms.

If you are struggling with a heavy mental load, I see you, you are not alone. There are tools that will make the darkness lighter. Reach out to a therapist to start building your toolkit. If you are in crisis, please stay, dial or text 988 for a Lifeline.

What is your favorite way to ease arthritis pain?
05/05/2026

What is your favorite way to ease arthritis pain?

Life with chronic illness can really do a number on your self esteem, especially if it started out on shaky ground.  Mor...
04/27/2026

Life with chronic illness can really do a number on your self esteem, especially if it started out on shaky ground. More often than I'd like to admit, I struggle with feeling less than, not enough.

Not reliable enough. Not independent enough. Not productive enough.

Sometimes the space between what I can manage and what someone "normal" is doing feels like an ocean. I could get out there and try to follow, but they are in speedboats and I'm just treading water so chances I'd drown if I did are pretty high.

So I stay in my little cove. I remind myself that I'm not made for speed and I don't even like to go that fast anyway. That I am enough exactly as I am.

Second dose of rutuxin so far so good!  I had a small infusion reaction last time so we are taking it slow and with plen...
04/21/2026

Second dose of rutuxin so far so good! I had a small infusion reaction last time so we are taking it slow and with plenty of antihistamine on board! Fingers crossed this med works for me. I've got places to go and dreams to chase!
Enjoying a little dot by letter coloring book while the drip drips. Very relaxing!

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287 Godfrey Blvd
Bangor, ME
04401

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