Columns

Communication Is Key to Improving Quality of Life With Vasculitis

Clear communication is crucial for all types of interactions. It’s the key to interpersonal relationships, business dealings, and artistic expression. But after a vasculitis diagnosis, it becomes even more imperative that a person knows how to convey their thoughts and needs. When I don’t feel well, it affects my…

How Does My Environment Affect My Vasculitis Symptoms?

I’ve always been an avid reader, with a focus on Victorian English and American literature in my younger years. In those tales, there seemed to be a common theme of the family sending an invalid relative to the seaside to recover from a chronic illness. Often those invalids would…

Celebrating 1 Year of Writing This Column

I began this column for ANCA Vasculitis News one year ago this month. It’s been such a joy interacting with other patients who read and connect with my words. At first, the concept of writing once weekly seemed intimidating. How would I come up with a new topic every…

Salsa Dancing Offered an Unexpected Boost to My Health

One evening last week, I reluctantly agreed to meet a friend at a dance studio. I had no intention of joining in. Me — a salsa dancer? Don’t be ridiculous! I’m a former soccer player with minimal dancing experience who often trips down the stairs. Confident that I could enter…