In this RheumatoidArthritis.net article, Mariah Leach introduces Gary Chapman’s “5 Love Languages” – and shares how she and her husband used this tool to improve their communication and relationship.
Author: Mariah Z Leach
Mariah Z Leach
Mariah is a writer, patient advocate, and mom of three living with rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. After learning firsthand how challenging and lonely it can be to face pregnancy and parenthood with chronic illness, Mariah became passionate about supporting people with chronic illness who are or want to become parents. She launched her private Facebook support group, Mamas Facing Forward, in 2015. Today the group connects parents and parents-to-be with chronic illness from all over the world. In 2018, she added this website, dedicated to collecting and creating resources that focus on pregnancy and parenting with chronic illness.
It may seem uncomfortable or embarrassing to contemplate, but if you’re struggling with your sexual health – and your doctor hasn’t proactively asked you about it – it’s a good idea to try to initiate the conversation yourself. Here are some things to keep in mind as you consider how to approach your doctor on this topic: You have a right to your sexual health Did you know that the World Health Organization (WHO) considers sexual health to be a human right? The WHO defines sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to…
When I was first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I was 25 years old and in the middle of law school. I felt like I was just starting out in my life – and my mind kept racing trying to figure out what this diagnosis would mean for my life goals. Would I be able to graduate? Travel? Start a family? Stay active? What about all the things that were important to me? What about my life goals? The uncertainty that comes with diagnosis of a lifelong chronic illness can make it feel really difficult to plan in advance. But…
Sometimes kids need help understanding chronic illness and disability, as well as recognizing and processing their own feelings. We hope these topics are an ongoing discussion in your family, and we love to review children’s books that may help you along the way! The Invisible String by Patrice Karst Mamas Facing Forward purchased a copy of this book to review, and then gave it away in a raffle on Instagram. All opinions in this review belong to Mariah Z. Leach. The twins are sleeping in their bedroom when suddenly there is a loud clap of thunder! Frightened by the storm,…
Sometimes kids need help understanding chronic illness and disability, as well as recognizing and processing their own feelings. We hope these topics are an ongoing discussion in your family, and we love to review children’s books that may help you along the way! The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld Mamas Facing Forward purchased a copy of this book to review, and then gave it away in a raffle on Instagram. All opinions in this review belong to Mariah Z. Leach. Tyler is building something new and special with his blocks, and he’s feeling very proud of it – but then…
Sometimes kids need help understanding chronic illness and disability, as well as recognizing and processing their own feelings. We hope these topics are an ongoing discussion in your family, and we love to review children’s books that may help you along the way! In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek Mamas Facing Forward purchased a copy of this book to review, and then gave it away in a raffle on Instagram. All opinions in this review belong to Mariah Z. Leach. Learning to understand, identify, and process different types of feelings is an important skill for any…
This review is based on my personal experience – this product was given to me by a friend when my second son was born. I was not compensated and all opinions in this review are my own. When my second son was born, my oldest had just turned two – and a friend of mine sent me the tag*a*long. The tag*a*long is a colorful plastic handle that you can attach to a stroller, so that a kiddo who is old enough to walk can “tag along” by hanging on to the handle. Mine was neon yellow. I have to admit…
Being a parent is never an easy job – and it gets even more complicated when one parent (or both) lives with a chronic illness like arthritis. This article from the Arthritis Foundation offers five strategies for parenting while living with arthritis. Five Strategies for Parenting with Arthritis
No matter what age your kids are, if you are a parent living with a chronic illness like arthritis you will have to figure out how to navigate the task of talking to your kids about your health. This article from the Arthritis Foundation features six tips for starting and continuing the conversation between you and your kids about your arthritis and overall health. 6 Tips to Help You Talk to Your Kids About Your Arthritis
Taking care of a newborn baby is a lot of work – and a significant portion of the job is ensuring your infant gets all the nutrients they need to grow. This article from the Arthritis Foundation offers tips for infant feeding, whether you are considering breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or a combination. Feeding an Infant While Living with Arthritis