About Me.

Welcome to LivingRheum.  My name is Jo-Ann Colburn.  I am 44 years old.  I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) 8 years ago.  I am happily married to my college sweetheart Eric.  We have been blessed with 3 amazing boys Alex (18), Nate (14), and Kevin (9).  We live in a fairly rural portion of Rhode Island with our 2 dogs Daisy and Max, our rabbit Nala, and a varying number of fish depending on whether or not Kevin has remember to feed the poor things. For the past 16 years Eric and I have owned and run a Land Surveying business.  He is the Land Surveyor, I am the business.  So he is my partner at work as well as at home.  Although I was diagnosed with RA only 8 years ago, it has effected my life for the past 20 years.  My mother also has rheumatoid arthritis.  She was diagnosed at the age of 32.  I managed to hold off until the ripe old age of 36.

I decided to start this site for people like me who not only were looking for support in dealing with the daily ups and downs of rheumatoid arthritis but also as a resource for those of us who are looking for information on what can help us live healthier, happier lives with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

When I was first diagnosed with RA I went through denial and then depression. I felt like this was happening at worst possible time (as if there is a good time for this to happen!).  My son Kevin was still in diapers not even toddling around yet.  He needed me for so many things and I felt like my body was not only failing me but him as well.  At that time I had two very active young boys to contend with as well.  I learned the hard way that things were not going to be the way that I planned and that we were going to have to make a great many adjustments.    At some point I decided that I could sit back and let RA take control or I could try and find ways to make my life better.  I have managed to find the recipe that works for me right now.  Because with this disease everything changes, I know that eventually I will need to adapt with additional or different measures.

My hope is that through this site that you can find ways to live well with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Jo-Ann