Supporting someone with rheumatoid arthritis

Right now: situation cards

• They cancelled plans again Free
• They're in a lot of pain right now Free
• They snapped at me
• They're crying and I don't know why
• They say "I feel useless" or "I'm a burden"
• A relative says they just need to push themselves Free
• Someone says "But they look so well"
• There's a family event tonight
• The children are asking questions
• There's a doctor's appointment tomorrow
• They want to try a treatment I'm unsure about
• Sex and closeness have stopped
• It's a good day and they want to do everything
• They have a new or different symptom
• I'm angry, and then I feel guilty Free
• I'm running on empty
• Part of me doubts it's that bad
• They talk about not wanting to live Free
• A flare has started Free
• They have a fever or an infection
• Their hands are bad today
• They feel sick after the weekly methotrexate
• They've hit a wall of fatigue
• They're struggling to cope at work

Toolkit

• Say this, not that
• Rheumatoid arthritis: myths and facts
• What I need on a bad day
• Our weekly check-in
• Our week: energy planner
• Who does what
• Our flare plan
• Questions for the appointment
• Explaining rheumatoid arthritis to children
• Where to find help

With Family

• Four extra logins for relatives
• Share links to the short videos for anyone who doubts
• A story to read aloud to children
• Letter templates for work, school and family