Elizabeth Medeiros

I find myself struggling socially now than I did at any other age. There are times when being a working young adult with psoriatic arthritis can be totally isolating. Even...

Whenever psoriatic arthritis is active in my jaw, I smell of Bengay. Not only do I use it on the sides of my face, but I use it on my...

Methotrexate and Enbrel got me through high school and Humira has helped me start my career and commute into the city every day. There were even some other medications peppered...

I look just like my dad, but I inherited my mom's personality. We're so similar, from our senses of humor, hobbies, and even the way we decorate our houses for...

In the past, I tried to avoid gatherings like dinner parties. I always worried I was offending the host by not going for seconds or having large portions, even if...

I was walking through a busy train station the first time my vertigo hit. There were tons of people walking around me and at any moment, I felt like I...

When I was in high school, almost all my teacher's had "inboxes." They were spots where we could place late homework or excuse notes, in addition to personal notes with...

As a young female, I am continually dealing with the expectation to look fashionable and put together. I've been told again and again that I should "dress-up" a little. And...

The day I got my college acceptance letter in the mail, I started fantasizing what life would be like come September. I couldn't wait to begin studying design fulltime! And...

One sip of beer and I can already feel a throbbing in my fingers. The sugar and cream in coffee do a number on my joints. Sometimes, I swear I...

There are days I wonder how I made it through college while I was flaring. I have many memories of being hours deep into simple homework assignments, frustrated beyond belief...

There must be 100 pairs of ballet flats in my closet. Over the years, my mum has bought me so many! She always told me to wear them to "dress...

Have you ever decided not to tell your loved ones something about your health out of fear of judgment? I know I have, and so many of my chronically ill...

Arthritis has given me lots of things over the years: joint damage, fatigue, and headaches over planning for the future. But not everything has been bad. Psoriatic arthritis has brought...

The demands of a career can be a lot to handle when we've already got our hands full caring for our health. A lot of people suggested that I get...

My high school graduation was one of my proudest moments. I excelled at school and received many honors, and was excited to go to college. While I didn't expect it...

As I child, I was very stand-offish. I didn't seem as cuddly as other children and didn't enjoy tickle fights as much as others. While classmates would hug each other...

"Elizabeth, please rent a wheelchair today," my best friend begged. We were on the last day of our vacation, and I was flaring badly. I had forced myself to walk...

I'm not as much of a picky eater as most people think. Granted, I will never like pork chops or alfredo sauce. But I'm not actually that choosy when I'm...

Four years of college and one year in the workforce has brought me together with no less than 17 roommates, most of whom were random students. I know first hand...