Arthritis At Home Episode 37: Post-secondary school and arthritis with Kelsey Chomistek: Tips from a student!
In the 37th episode of Arthritis At Home, Kelsey Chomistek discusses strategies for self-advocacy, disease management and personal wellness while attending post-secondary school with inflammatory arthritis. Kelsey also highlights some helpful resources for youth and young adults living with arthritis.
Kelsey was diagnosed with polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) when she was 14 years old in almost 30 joints. At the time, she was a competitive dancer. Even after her diagnosis, she performed on a salsa team for 4 years! Kelsey is currently completing her Masters of Science and medical school at the University of Calgary and Alberta Children’s Hospital with the goal of becoming a pediatric rheumatologist in the future. She is an active volunteer with the Arthritis Society as well as Cassie + Friends. She is the national leader for the Teen Arthritis and Autoinflammatory Group (TAG) with Cassie and Friends. She is also a JIA blogger and mentor for JIA patients and families.
Go Deeper
Follow Kelsey’s disease journey on Instagram: @CHRONICALLYKELSEY
Kelsey’s blog: https://chronicallykelsey.wordpress.com/
Cassie and Friends’ resources for school and youth: https://cassieandfriends.ca/school/
Scholarships for students with arthritis: https://cassieandfriends.ca/school/scholarships/
Teen Arthritis and Autoinflammatory Group (TAG): https://cassieandfriends.ca/school/yln/teen-arthritis-autoinflammatory-groups-tag/
Arthritis Society’s support for childhood arthritis: https://arthritis.ca/support-education/support-for-childhood-arthritis