Dancing Through Deformities: Christine’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Story

Episode Summary

****Please see the episode trigger warning below. On episode 119 of the Arthritis Life Podcast, Christine Troyano shares her journey of living, traveling the world and dancing with rheumatoid arthritis.  She also opens up about pressures she experienced as a young person to treat her arthritis without medication, and then shares her experiences navigating different treatments to manage her RA over the past 32 years. 

Christine shares stories of her travels through South Korea and Indonesia, and her passion for dancing. She shares how she developed resilience during challenging situations, from insurance barriers and navigating healthcare disparities between countries, to adversity in relationships. 

Christine explains how dance became a transformative force in her life, where she found a space for self-expression and physical release. Christine and Cheryl emphasize the importance of self-advocacy in managing chronic illness, building a supportive community, and finding joy through the challenges.

*Trigger warning for this episode*: Between minute 29:00-34:00 there is a discussion of emotional abuse, sexual assault, rape, and abortion.

Medical disclaimer:

All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Episode Sponsors

Rheum to THRIVE, an online empowerment program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected.  See all the details and join the program or waitlist now!

For full episode details including a video & transcript:

See the episode page on the Arthritis Life Website.