The Importance of Autoimmune Self-Care (For Yourself, Your Kids, and Your Grandkids)
By Dr. Bonnie Feldman
NOW… A new autoimmune clinic start-up that is integrative, team-based, and takes insurance!
After a decade of being a patient advocate that included 400 autoimmune patient interviews and cry sessions, Dr. Bonnie co-founded Rheumission, a virtual, integrative rheumatology and lifestyle medicine clinic for people living with autoimmune. She founded Rheumission for herself (three autoimmune conditions), her family (two sons-in-law with autoimmune conditions), and especially her 10 grandchildren.
As the Chief Patient Officer, Dr. Bonnie believes strongly in bringing the patient's voice to all parts of the practice. With her "Patient First Strategy", there is ongoing patient research, a patient feedback program, and a first-of-its-kind, patient advisory council. Dr. Bonnie’s goal is to revolutionize autoimmune care at Rheumission—where patients are heard, cared for, and empowered each day throughout their health journey.
THEN (Original post authored 7 years ago)… Ted Talk, patient advocate and consultant
Are your lifestyle choices creating a legacy of disease or a legacy of health?
Good health habits today may lead us toward disease prevention for future generations. As both an autoimmune mom and grandmother I, like many of you, conquer daily obstacles through self-care strategies.
We often fail to recognize that these same strategies may prevent our children from experiencing similar struggles later in life.
Starting with our own self-care and forming healthy habits, we can create a culture that values prevention and leave our children and grandchildren a legacy of health.
We know it’s hard, we’ve been there, too.
Behavior change can be complicated and tough - its patterns resemble the ups and downs of a game of Chutes and Ladders. Every day the question is “What should I try next to help with my symptoms?” Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen while lowering stress levels, on top of being a full-time parent may seem like a superhuman feat. But at our lows, sliding down the “chutes”, it is good to realize that behavior change does not have to be this hard for the next generation.
By starting earlier with our children we can establish a standard of self-care, providing our kids with the building blocks for personal empowerment. Forming good habits earlier will help ensure better well-being in the future.
Baby steps today pay off big tomorrow!
If we each take one small step to better care for ourselves today, the combined efforts could inspire action in others. For example, I am sharing my meditation practice with my son and my yoga practice with my granddaughter. These baby steps can pay off big with a healthier next generation. Down the road, maybe our grandkids will know how to avoid chronic diseases altogether.
Curious to learn more about the importance of self-care and resilience in autoimmune disease? Be inspired by my personal story told on TEDx: The Single Most Valuable Legacy We Can Pass On
What can you do right now as a small step in self-care that will inspire the actions of your children and/or grandchildren? Share your thoughts below!
I have also created a curated collection of scientific autoimmune resources for you: Take charge of all things autoimmune.
About the Author
Dr. Bonnie brings decades of clinical, finance, digital health & patient advocacy experience to her role as co-founder and chief patient officer of Rheumission. Since 2010, her mission is to integrate digital tech, virtual-first care and lifestyle interventions with conventional care to improve outcomes for autoimmune patients. She has spent the past decade raising awareness of the large and growing autoimmune market opportunity for private investment. Her decades of experience as an autoimmune patient motivates her to improve care for other chronic disease patients. She has 10 grandchildren at high genetic risk for autoimmune disease, fueling her passion for prevention, earlier diagnosis & improved care for all autoimmune patients.
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