Liz's Story

Liz Crosson has lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 23 years. She says her diagnosis was not a surprise. Her aunt had been diagnosed with the disease at the same age. And when her hands and feet became stiff and swollen, she assumed she, too, might have RA. 

After years of living with RA, Liz has learned how to be her own advocate. She researches medications and communicates her research and opinion to her doctor. She still has joint stiffness, headaches and sciatica and lumbar issues with her spine, but she knows that exercising and keeping a positive attitude can help her live a better life and overcome these everyday obstacles.  

After 20 years on biologics, Liz has minimal joint damage. “I’ve made it a point to educate myself on my disease and medication,” says Liz. “People need to be their own advocate. You’re the one that knows what your body is going through and what your body needs.”  

In her free time, Liz enjoys cooking, exercising, gardening and entertaining friends and family. She is active in the community and enjoys educating and counseling others about RA. “When I was diagnosed in 1995, I called the Arthritis Foundation to get educational resources,” says Liz. She knows that education is key to living a healthy life with arthritis.