Young Adults with Arthritis
There are over 212,000 Canadians between the ages of 18-34 living with arthritis. It can be a painful and debilitating condition, posing challenges as young adults begin to plan for their future, including education, employment and family. We recently talked to a panel of young adults with arthritis to get their perspectives on living with the disease as well as strategies to overcome these challenges.
What was it like finding out you had arthritis? Is there anything you know now that you wish you had known then?
Learning how to manage a chronic health condition takes time and perseverance. In your experience with arthritis, what strategies have helped you the most?
Can you describe how your condition has impacted your family and/or social life? What do you do to successfully juggle competing demands?
Coping with a chronic condition like arthritis can have an impact on a person’s mental health. If you’re comfortable speaking about it, has your condition impacted your mental well-being in any way? If so, what strategies have helped you deal with these challenges?
Living with significant health challenges can teach you a lot. What are some of the positive/ empowering things you’ve learned throughout your arthritis journey?
What have your experiences been like in disclosing your condition to others? Did you face any challenges and if so, what have you learned from those experiences?
Has your condition impacted your career or altered your career goals? If so, what positive steps have you taken to navigate these changes?
Since being diagnosed, have you had to make any major life adjustments? If so, what were they and what strategies helped you cope with these adjustments?