Iona Walton
Gemma Mae Anderson, the song writer and singer whose rheumatoid arthritis inspired her first solo album discusses coming to terms with her diagnosis
Gemma Mae Anderson is from a tiny island within the Shetland Islands in Scotland. When she was 16 years old, along with her classmates Gemma had to move to mainland Shetland to complete her last two years of school. By then, she had been experiencing what she was told were “growing pains” but these became more significant while she was living away from home.
I was delighted to take part in a study funded by Versus Arthritis explains Clive Nayler
My symptoms of dermatomyositis began in 2018, with painful, bloated hands and toes, with skin that hardened, peeled and split continuously.
The Scilly Isles are a breath-taking archipelago… a must-visit destination, highlights Samuel Thompsett
Countless golden beaches grace the shores of the Scilly Isles, five inhabited islands along with 150 islands and rocks. Exceptionally mild, St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martin’s, Bryher and St Agnes lie 28 miles off Land’s End, the most south-westerly point of the UK.
From shipwrecks to Bronze Age burial chambers, there are plenty of interesting places to visit. And when it comes to eating and drinking, the options extend from delectable seafood fine dining to barbeque meals and vegan treats. Continue reading
A selection of quirky gifts to give people with arthritis
Cleaning up
Here at Arthritis Digest we love Droyt, a Lancashire company that has been making soaps in England for almost 100 years. The master soap makers use only the best quality vegetable or mineral ingredients to make soaps that look gorgeous and feel sensational. The Introductory Soap & Liquid Box (pictured) contains the company’s best sellers and is £15 (ex p+p).
Visit www.droyt.com or tel 01257 417251
New technology enables clinicians to potentially predict flares, explains Dr Alexander Oldroyd
Not everyone is familiar with many aspects of new technology. It changes so fast that even the moderately savvy can feel left behind. But its potential is breathtaking… and life changing.
The development of smartphone apps has, for example, opened up opportunities for researchers to collect data from people with healthcare conditions. This enables a greater depth of understanding, and ultimately better ways to tackle healthcare conditions and enhance daily living.
