Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is many things, but of many things it does not define who I am. It is simply a fraction of who it has made me. Hi, my name is Ngoc Nguyen!  I am a wife and mother living with RA. 

For the past 19 years, I have battled with joint arthritis due to rheumatoid arthritis. RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects my joints leading to my osteoporosis and psoriatic arthritis diagnoses in 2013. It is such a debilitating disease that I sometimes struggle from completing simple daily tasks.

As I continue navigating through this journey, I was encouraged to join the Arthritis Walk to extend my support system. Although, grateful for all the support I have received from family and friends, connecting with individuals who are battling with RA disease has enlighten me in unimaginable ways. It has given me the opportunity to feel understood as we exchange struggles, relate with pain thresholds and flaring inflammation. Despite of feeling defeated on some days, we lift each other up with encouraging words and remain optimistic.

With this I conclude, and introduce “Team Hope”. A team who has not only walked along my side for 16 years, but who has also joined me to bring awareness of this chronic illness we know of as Rheumatoid Arthritis.  With your unwavering support and contributions, my obtainable goal will help fund research to find a cure for Arthritis. 

Thank you so much! 

Ngoc Nguyen