9 comments

1. Steve

   said on December 10, 2010 at 6:57 pm:
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   I have found having friends with arthritis makes a huge difference on how I handle my RA today. I found Karen’s book while searching the net. After reading the excerpts from Amazon.com of her book, I ordered it and both my wife and I read it.
   The physical pain and/or disease may never go right now, but this book is for anyone with an Auto Immune Disease and hope. How I handled the pain before was wasting my energy. I found that with Karen going through RA herself as a teen and becoming and advocate today for RA has brought a new way of thinking for me.
   I keep her book on my coffee table and pick it up to read my highlights when I feel down, in pain, lonely, or just playing poor-me. Thank you Karen for your wonderful book and the life you shared in it. Today I feel I am a better person about my RA and I do not waste my time worrying about what may or may not happen, but concentrate on helping and being of service to others.
   Blessings…Steve P

2. Mike Printz

   said on December 23, 2010 at 12:06 am:
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   Karen, I live in your building and just finished “Enemy Within.” I’m a couple years older than your Dad. Have seen mental and physical sickness in my family and related very much to your words. More than “related”, I cried in a couple of parts. Thank you for exposing the pains and problems of RA.

   You are a New York hero. Just remember that anyone who does anything extraordinary is considered a New Yorker. You have definitetly made the grade.

   Mike Printz

3. Faye

   said on January 2, 2011 at 8:51 pm:
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   I read your article in this month’s Arthritis magazine and was inspired, so I checked out your website and ordered your book. Thank you for sharing your experience and being an inspiration to others of us who have RA.

4. Stephanie

   said on January 10, 2011 at 8:33 pm:
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   Dear Karen,

   I usually read “Arthritis Today” and I came upon your articile. Oh my Goodness. I have been moved, touched, and am so speechless. I am a 42 year women who was diagnosised at 17 with JRA.
   I just read some of your website info. All of your feelings, emotions, pain, details are everything I experience in any given day, or my last 20 years.

   I thank you for sharing your story, I want to be like you and you have inspired me. I will write more, I have a son who is 12; with Austism & a 9 yr old son with Diabetes. So, I am angry, fustrated and sad alot of the time. Many flares, no exercise. I am a single mom with the thought of never finding a husband again.

   You have given me hope in believing their is others, for me to stay strong.
   Thank you

   Stephanie

5. Karen

   said on January 20, 2011 at 11:13 pm:
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   Hi Stephanie,
   Did you get my reply from my personal email? I hope you are doing okay at the moment.
   It is understandable to have all these feelings but we must always have hope. I lost hope for awhile too and sometimes I have to work through my pain to reach a place of peace where i can find that hope again. Your last sentence was very powerful and could be your daily mantra.
   Please stay in touch as you need a support system.
   Best
   Karen
   PS Thank you for sharing.

6. Karen

   said on January 20, 2011 at 11:17 pm:
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   Dear Faye,
   Hello….I am so sorry to be just reading this now. I’ve had trouble with spam but it is all sorted out now. Please accept my apologies.
   Thank you for investing your time in my book. I hope that you have found it to be a source of strength by now and look forward to hearing from you again.
   Take good care
   Karen

7. Karen

   said on January 20, 2011 at 11:23 pm:
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   Hey Mike,
   What a champion you are!! It amazes me that you not only took the time to read my story but you are advocating for me too.
   I have had many men write to me to say how much they related to the story in some way or another. I know it is a pretty ‘raw’ narrative but hey Aussies tell it like it is.
   Thank you for your NY compliment. I think New Yorkers are pretty extraordinary.
   I apologize for the delay….your message went to spam. If you ever have a moment to complete an Amazon review I’d love it.
   I hope to bump into you soon.
   Take care
   Karen

8. Karen

   said on January 20, 2011 at 11:26 pm:
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   Hi Steve,
   …..And you are such an amazing advocate for people with RA. I thank you for all you do for this illness.
   Given what you have been through, your attitude is unbelievable.
   With respect and admiration,
   Karen

9. Steve

   said on January 21, 2011 at 6:34 pm:
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   Hi Karen and everyone,
   Thank you for the kind words and the Best Book Ever.
   This is team work. Take care
   Steve