You don't have to figure out how to THRIVE with rheumatic disease on your own!
In the Rheum to THRIVE course and support program, you'll go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected.
You could spend your valuable time figuring this all out on your own, but I want you to get started on the right foot as soon as possible.
Think of me as your tour guide, or orientation leader for your new "job" of living a full, vibrant life with rheumatic disease. It's possible to thrive with rheumatic disease, but it's hard to figure out precisely *how* on your own. You deserve guidance and support!
I have also lived with rheumatoid arthritis for over nineteen years, so I truly understand how difficult and overwhelming it can be to navigate everyday life with a rheumatic disease.
I've compiled all my best, evidence based lessons into a step-by-step guide in the THRIVE framework. During the self-paced lessons, you'll learn how to improve your quality of life and take control of your health while also coping with the inevitable ups and downs .
You *could* spend your valuable time figuring this all out on your own, but I want you to get started on the right foot with RA as soon as possible!
My goal is to empower you to learn ways to not just live but THRIVE with RA. You don't have to do this on your own.
On our live video calls, Cheryl facilitates a support group session where you'll connect to a group of people who truly *get* what it's like to manage a complex autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. You'll also have a chance to ask all of your burning questions and share your best tips for surmounting daily obstacles, from doing your hair with hand pain to explaining what your condition is to the same person for the fifth time!
What are people saying about Rheum to THRIVE and related programs?
I HIGHLY recommend taking this course, especially if newly diagnosed. The wealth of information and the built-in support system are priceless.
Cheryl shares tools, tips and good information for living well with an autoimmune disease in a close community atmosphere. I am so grateful I joined this group!"
I feel so much less lonely, and a lot more hopeful. Rheum to THRIVE has provided a much-needed sense of belonging to a community.
The group has offered so much compassion, validation, and encouragement, as well as a safe space to share. I've made new friends and also had access to additional resources and information for how to live with AS. I now know I'm not alone." - Anonymous, June 2021
Everyone trying to thrive while battling RA deserves to have a toolbox and a supportive community as amazing as what Arthritis Life has created for me."
I cried so many tears of relief because I feel validated for the very first time. It was such an empowering opportunity to learn from you- I wish I had this years ago but I’m so happy to have it now!"
I recommend it for the newly diagnosed to equip them with practical and evidence-based information that is rarely discussed in the rheumatologist's office."
Live a full life *with* rheumatic disease.
T = Tools for pain & fatigue
H = Habits (exercise, sleep, nutrition & more)
R = Relationships (managing social life with rheumatic disease)
I = Inner world (stress and mental health management)
V = Valued Activities / Hobbies (how we can connect to our main values and still do things we love despite our condition)
E = Executive functions (how to be the CEO of your care team).
Discover how to THRIVE with rheumatic disease during each step-by-step lesson.
Start Here: Welcome Video!
Orientation to Thinkific Platform
Welcome Slides: Downloadable PDF
Meeting Schedule & Suggested Viewing Schedule
Pre-Course Survey
Link to Private Facebook Group
Updated: Master Workbook (includes master toolbox and journal prompts)
Lesson 1: Understanding Common Rheumatic Diseases & FAQs
Lesson 2: Overcome Overwhelm with Health Literacy
Lesson 3: You are not Alone - How to Assemble a Care Team
PDF Download: All Presentation Slides for Unit 1
Lesson 1: What is Rheumatic Disease Pain?
Lesson 2: What is Rheumatic Disease Fatigue?
Lesson 3: How to Prevent Pain in Rheumatic Disease
Lesson 4: How to Reduce Existing Pain in Rheumatic Disease
Lesson 5: Preventing & Reducing Fatigue and "Day in the Life" of Pain & Fatigue
PDF Download: All Presentation Slides for Unit 2
Lesson 1: Intro to Helpful / Healthy Habits for Rheumatic Disease
Lesson 2: Nutrition for Rheumatic Disease
Lesson 3: Exercise for Rheumatic Disease
Lesson 4: Sleep for Rheumatic Disease
PDF Download: Unit 3 All Presentation Slides
Lesson 1: Ways to Talk about Rheumatic Disease & Address Misconceptions
Lessons 2-3: Focus on Friendships, Family & Romantic Relationships
Lesson 4: Tips for Work and Work Relationships
PDF Download: Unit 4 Presentation Slides
Lesson 1 - Intro to Stress for Rheumatic Disease
Lesson 2 - CBT and Mindfulness
Lesson 3 - ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approaches
Lesson 4: More Tools & Putting Together your Coping Toolbox
PDF Download - Unit 5 All Slides
Lesson 1: Defining my Values
Lesson 2: Finding Joy & Problem Solving when Barriers Come Up
PDF Download - Unit 6 All Slides
Lesson 1: Intro to Executive Functions and tips for getting organized
Lesson 2: Tips for Effective Appointments & Making Difficult Decisions.
Lesson 3: Put it all together: How to advocate and become the CEO of your care team.
PDF Download: Unit 7 All Slides
Lesson 1: Review & Toolbox
Lesson 2: Congratulations & More Support
PDF Download - Unit 8 all Slides
Post Course Survey
Meeting Recording: March 7th
Meeting Recording: March 14th
Meeting Recording: March 21st
Meeting Recording: March 28th
Meeting Recording: April 4th
Meeting Recording: April 18th
Meeting Recording: April 25th
Meeting Recording: May 2nd
THRIVE Bonus Meeting: Registered Dietitian Jenifer Tharani
Meeting Recording: May 9th
Meeting Recording: May 16th
Meeting Recording: May 30th
Meeting Recording: June 13th (Final meeting celebration!0
This program is for you if:
You have a rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, or a chronic illness that involves pain and / or fatigue.
You are overwhelmed with figuring out how to manage your condition in your daily life.
You feel alone, and/or would like to connect with others in a supportive environment (for the support group option).
You are interested in learning how to manage the disease through coping strategies and lifestyle choices (such as mindfulness, exercise and altering how you approach tasks).
This education and support group isn't for you if:
Your primary goal is to cure your condition. This program can be taken alongside complementary or alternative medicine therapies, but this program does not claim to teach a way to heal or cure your disease. The focus is on minimizing symptoms, adapting to what's occurring in the present moment, and maximizing our quality of life *despite* our condition.
You don't want to commit the time and energy required to learn how to manage your condition.
You don't believe that mindset changes or daily living change will make a difference, or you believe you will feel badly no matter what you do. This course is for people who believe they *can* make an impact on their quality of life through their choices.
You can choose from one of two groups, each of which meets 12 times for 60 minutes each over 3-4 months.
TUESDAY GROUP: Meets at 7:30pm EST / 6:30pm CST / 5:30pm MST / 4:30pm PST. This is and 7:30am on Fridays for those on China Standard time (GMT+8), and Fridays at 10:30am for those on Australia Standard time (GMT +10).
WEDNESDAY GROUP: Meets at 12:30pm EST / 11:30am CST / 10:30am MST / 9:30am PST. This is 5:30pm GMT (London time).
The THRIVE toolbox, which is the cornerstone of this program, applies to many chronic illnesses. The "inner world, relationships, valued activities and executive functions" are applicable to all chronic illnesses, while the "tools for pain and fatigue" and "healthy habits" are designed for rheumatic, autoimmune diseases that involve some degree of pain and fatigue (such as psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, non radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, lupus and other conditions).
Please email me at: [email protected] for specific questions and I can help you determine if this course is the right fit for you!
All course materials will be available on Friday, March 3rd 2023. Cheryl is currently busy at work updating all course videos and materials to include the latest research and trends in rheumatic disease as of January 2023.
Yes! Because many patients never are given adequate education or support in the tools discussed in Rheum to THRIVE, it can benefit those who've had their diagnosis for years. As Cristina said when she took the program in 2020, "I wish I had access to this information when I was diagnosed with RA 17 years ago. The coping tools provided by Cheryl are useful even for a seasoned patient like me. I particularly enjoyed the last section on intimacy and relationships. I recommend this course for the newly diagnosed to equip them with practical and evidence-based information that is rarely discussed in the rheumatologist's office."
The live group programs are available to join once in the spring and once in the fall. Spots are available on a first come, first served basis. Enrollment for the Spring 2023 cohorts closes on March 2nd, 2023. Having a set start and end date and closed cohorts allows members to get to know each other and form a cohesive community and safe space to share.
If you miss out this time, you may join the waitlist for when registration opens again. Email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist for the next group!
Each group has a maximum of 16 people. This allows for us to get to know each other and for each person to have a chance to share and connect.
I also offer an ongoing weekly support group exclusively for people who've completed the Rheum to THRIVE course + support group. This group meets weekly and it's called "THRIVE Graduates." Since rheumatic diseases are chronic and ongoing, it's beneficial to surround yourself with consistent sources of encouragement, support, and information-sharing!
You are welcome to request a refund at any time within the first 30 days of the program. I will just will ask you to provide feedback so that I can learn and continue to make this program the best it can be. If you are on the monthly payment plan and need to cancel before the full 6 months of payments is complete, I am happy to do that for you or pause your participation until a future group at a better time for you.
No. Cheryl has training as an occupational therapist, but in this program she is providing general education and facilitating peer support. This program is not a substitute for individual or group occupational therapy services or other healthcare services.
Cheryl is licensed to provide occupational therapy services in Washington State and does so on very a limited basis at this time. More details can be found in the course medical disclaimer.
Cheryl Crow is an award-winning occupational therapist who specializes in helping people with rheumatic diseases maximize quality of life in *all* areas, not just joint pain.
Cheryl Crow
Cheryl frequently is asked to share her expert opinion on ways people can successfully manage daily living challenges with rheumatoid arthritis. She has written articles and/or been interviewed for: Everyday Health, RheumatoidArthritis.net, AnkylosingSpondylitis.net, Creaky Joints, The Mighty, and Mamas Facing Forward.
In 2019 Cheryl formed Arthritis Life to educate, empower and inspire others with arthritis.
Cheryl has devoted many additional hours to continuing education in the area of chronic disease management and rheumatoid arthritis specifically, including:
- Certification as an educator for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
- Completion of USC's "Introduction to Lifestyle Redesign" training
- "Systematic Review of Educational Interventions for Rheumatoid Arthritis"
- "Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review"
- "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Beginners" (Psychwire)
- "Fatigue Management Occupational Therapy for Individuals with Autoimmune Disease"
- "Arthritis of the Upper Extremity"
- "Occupational Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy"
- "Persisting Pain: Understanding why Things Hurt"
Cheryl has also developed and facilitated a training for other occupational therapists titled: "Beyond Joint Pain: Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis from the Full Scope of Occupational Therapy."