Every day is a challenge when living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and for Danielle Stephens, who has been living with RA for more than 10 years, it is essential that she look and feel confident.
Danielle recently learned style tips in the latest episode of New Way RA™ featuring Clinton Kelly, co-host of TLC’s What Not to Wear. In the episode, Clinton demonstrated hints and tricks to help those living with RA dress to impress, even when they aren’t feeling their best. According to Clinton, simple tricks such as buying elastic bracelets and finding stylish items without buttons can help those with RA greet each day with confidence.
I had a chance to catch up with Danielle, and I wanted to share a few things I gleaned from the conversation with her.
According to Danielle, it is important to feel confident about yourself:
“…because when you have rheumatoid arthritis, you don’t have a choice as to if you feel good or if you feel bad when you wake up. If you look and feel confident, you’re not going to focus on the pain that you have, you’re going to focus on the fact that you look good.”
Danielle found Clinton’s tips on layering her clothes and different types of jewelry the most helpful. Since taping the episode, Danielle said she has incorporated many pieces of jewelry into her style. For Danielle, wearing chunky jewelry helps cover up her joints when they are swollen from RA. As she explained to me:
“It gives me the confidence to put myself out there. People see Danielle, not Danielle with rheumatoid arthritis.”
Dressing well allows Danielle to display her bubbly personality and outgoing demeanor through her personal style. Danielle knows firsthand how difficult it can be for someone with RA to get dressed in the morning. I asked Danielle how incorporating Clinton’s tips into her everyday fashion has made her feel and she told me:
“I feel like I can take on the world even if I might be feeling sore and stiff on the inside.”
New Way RA™, sponsored by Centocor Ortho Biotech, is in its second season of providing advice and support to those living with RA. Episodes featuring tips and advice from experts can be viewed online along with a host of information for those managing this chronic condition.
Watch Clinton and Danielle’s episode of New Way RA™ at www.newwayra.com.
For more information about RA, check out Creaky Joints and the Arthritis Foundation.