Loving Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis, One Handed: Colleen’s Story

Arthritis Life

Episode at a glance:

• Colleen shares what it was like to grow up with one hand.
• Colleen’s diagnosis story for rheumatoid arthritis and treatments that have helped.
• How Colleen met her husband and her tips for chronically ill relationships.
• How Colleen maintains a “glass half full” attitude and a brief discussion of “toxic positivity.”
• Pain management strategies that helped Colleen after over 4 joint replacement or fusion surgeries.
• Colleen’s favorite adaptations and gadgets that help her function with one hand affected by rheumatoid arthritis .
• Cheryl & Colleen discuss what brings them joy and how they’ve found meaning in “fandom” communities.
• Colleen’s fertility journey and how she relishes her current role as a “bonus mom” to her best friend’s children.
• Colleen’s best advice for people newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

Speaker Bios:

Colleen Hood:

My name is Colleen Hood. I am a housewife and have been with my husband 34 years. I was diagnosed with RA age 20 and it started on my hands and knees. I was born with a limb difference of having just one hand. But honestly, I love every part of myself, even the RA. It makes me ME. I have always been determined, strong, “I will get this” type person. RA just made things a little harder, but never stopped me.

I am my own bionic woman. I had my 4 knuckles replaced through surgery, my wrist and ankle fused surgically, my right hip was replaced and I’ve had lots of rheumatoid nodules removed from my feet, fingers, and my little arm elbow.

OT and PT have helped me a lot since I have one hand. I use gadgets and tools and just practice makes progress. I did develop cataracts at age 37 and early osteoporosis in my mid 30s due to long and large steriod use. But no complaints... I am all good now.

I love the infusion meds... been on different ones since 2008 and things have been way better since. I did stop working in 2014 as just having one hand and 2 functional fingers, I put my health first. I worked 28yrs and am proud of it. So now I just care for my hubby and did care for my mom before she died in 2019. I am everyone's cheerleader and grateful I joined instagram last January.

Cheryl Crow

Cheryl is an occupational therapist who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for nineteen years. Her life passion is helping others with rheumatoid arthritis figure out how to live a full life despite arthritis, by developing tools to navigate physical, emotional and social challenges. She formed the educational company Arthritis Life in 2019 after seeing a huge need for more engaging, accessible, and (dare I say) FUN patient education and self-management resources.

Episode Sponsor

Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis.

Episode links:

• Colleen’s Channels
  • Instagram channel - https://www.instagram.com/mad4minnie/
• Cheryl’s Arthritis Life Pages:
• Arthritis Life website - https://arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com/
• Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/arthritislife
• Instagram @arthritis_life_cheryl - https://www.instagram.com/arthritis_life_cheryl/
• TikTok @arthritislife - https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritislife
• Arthritis Life Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/arthritisLIFE
• Cheryl on Twitter: @realcc https://twitter.com/realcc
• Arthritis Life Podcast Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/arthritislifepodcastandsupport
• Arthritis Life Program Links

Join the waitlist for Rheum to THRIVE, 6-month education and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. The next group starts in Spring 2022!

Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap, a self-paced online course Cheryl created that teaches you how to confidently manage your physical, social and emotional life with rheumatoid arthritis.

Medical disclaimer:

All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Full Episode Transcript:

See www.MyArthritisLIfe.Net for a full episode transcript!