Confessions of a Book Store Owner

Just spreading the word. In case you’re not aware, autoimmune arthritis is NOT the arthritis you see commercials for on TV. It doesn’t usually involve elderly couples slow-dancing, or your grandma finally being able to button her sweater. Arthritis is not something, as an intake nurse at the ER told me once, you can be ‘too young to have.’ It strikes people of all ages, but especially young people. Autoimmune arthritis is not being able to tie my children’s shoes for them. Autoimmune arthritis is not being able to walk without assistance one day, and being able to run and skip later that week, and the next week being back to using a cane and people staring at you like you’re faking it. Autoimmune arthritis is sometimes painful rashes, swelling joints, confusion, fatigue— and sometimes invisible. Next time you see a young woman with no visible condition parking in a handicapped spot, don’t tell her she’s too young to have arthritis.