Ep 126: AiArthritis Diseases at Work & School
AiArthritis Voices 360 Main, Full Episode 126
Air Date: October 4th 2026
This episode is a 2, as outlined in our 6 Step Patient-Led Problem Solving Process.
Living with an AiArthritis disease can affect much more than physical health—it can change how someone works, learns, plans for the future, and maintains their independence.
In this episode, Leila, Eileen, and Dr. Michele Hamm discuss the realities of navigating work and school with unpredictable symptoms like pain, fatigue, and brain fog. They share lived experiences from the AiArthritis community and explore how flexibility, accommodations, and greater understanding can help people continue to work, learn, and contribute without sacrificing their health.
- Symptoms can fluctuate dramatically. Someone may be productive one day and struggle the next. That variability is part of the disease—not a lack of effort or commitment.
- Work is about more than income. Changes in the ability to work can affect identity, independence, confidence, finances, and emotional well-being.
- Flexibility can make work more accessible. Remote or hybrid options, flexible schedules, adjustable deadlines, breaks, and the ability to adapt during flares can help employees stay engaged.
- Support benefits the whole workplace. Creating flexible, supportive systems—including cross-training and shared responsibilities—can strengthen teams while helping employees with chronic illnesses thrive.
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AiArthritis Voices 360 is produced by the International Foundation for Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis. Visit us on the web at
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All our main 1st Sunday of the month episodes are either an initial "put the topic on the table" episode (Step 2 in our organization's 6-step problem solving process) or a "revisit to the table" episode (Step 6 in our organization's 6-step process), where we build on a past show because we have moved forward in developing help, tools, or projects around the issue (Step 5 in our organization's 6-step process).
After each show airs we spin off the conversation into many discussions over various formats, which we now call #360its.
Your Co-Hosts: Who is at the Table this Episode?
Leila P.L. Valete, Health Education Manager
Leila P.L. Valete is the Health Education Manager at the International Foundation for AiArthritis. She is a person living with Lupus & Sjögren's. She is passionate about inclusion and diversity in health education and meeting individuals where they are at in order to learn in a way that resonates with them. Leila is on social media as @Lupus.Lifestyle.Lei sharing bits and pieces about her life with lupus and connecting with others.
Dr. Michele Hamm
Dr. Hamm earned her doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Grand
Canyon University, a Master of Education in Counseling at Northern Arizona University,
and Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science/Physical Education from Arizona State University.
Website: http://bridgewellconsult.com/
Eileen Davidson - Educational Media Assistant
Person living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
Eileen Davidson, also known as Chronic Eileen, is an autoimmune arthritis and chronic illness patient advocate from Vancouver, BC, Canada.
She actively advocates for arthritis patients through her involvement with various organizations and committees such as The Arthritis Research Canada Patient Advisory Board. Eileen is dedicated to raising awareness about arthritis and providing support to those living with the condition.
Pull up your seat at the table
Now it's YOUR TURN to join the conversation!
What do you think about this episode?
We want to know what you think! By continuing the conversation with your opinions and perspectives - we all get a better understanding of the problems facing our community. Better yet, through these conversations we can start working and developing solutions.
We mean it when say 360. Not only do we want your input anytime and anywhere, but we also are eager to see where the conversation will take us. So please, "pull up a seat at the table" and let's start talking!
Email us at podcast@aiarthritis.org, message us on social media (find us by searching for @IFAiArthritis)
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