Cómo ser padre o madre cuando se padece una enfermedad crónica
AiArthritis Voices 360 Main, Full Episode 107
Air Date: March 2, 2025
This episode is a Step 5, as outlined in our 6 Step Patient-Led Problem Solving Process.
Parenting is challenging, but adding a chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis brings unique obstacles. In this episode, co-host Eileen shares her journey of raising a child while managing RA, from coping with fatigue and pain to adjusting expectations.
She’s joined by her 12-year-old son, Jacob, who offers his perspective on growing up with a parent who has a chronic illness. They discuss the struggles, unexpected lessons, and ways they support each other. Whether you're a parent navigating chronic illness or looking to understand its impact on families, this episode offers insight, advice, and encouragement.
Episode Highlights:
- Eileen shares her journey of parenting with RA, from early diagnosis to raising a preteen.
- The biggest struggles of parenting with chronic illness, including fatigue, guilt, and daily challenges.
- Jacob’s perspective on having a parent with RA and how it has shaped his life.
- The unexpected positives—how chronic illness has taught Jacob responsibility, independence, and empathy.
- Practical tips for parents with chronic illness, including self-care, communication, and asking for help.
AiArthritis Voices 360 is produced by the International Foundation for Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Arthritis. Visit us on the web at
www.aiarthritis.org/talkshow. Find us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook (@IFAiArthritis) or email us (podcast@aiarthritis.org). Be sure to check out our top-rated show on
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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 Host: Who is at the Table this Episode?
Eileen Davidson, Educational Media Assistant
Eileen Davidson, also known as Chronic Eileen, is a rheumatoid arthritis 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, Canadian Institutes of Health Research as a Patient Engagement Research Ambassador, Doctors of BC Shared Care Chronic Pain Advisory Committee, and The Arthritis Society. 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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