In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha is joined by the inspiring Sahara as she shares her journey of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. They dive into the challenges of getting a diagnosis amid uncertainty, navigating university while managing a chronic illness, and finding the right resources for understanding RA.Sahara opens up about how her south Asian background influenced her family’s understanding of her condition and how she worked to create a supportive space for herself and others who are immunocompromised. She also talk about the importance of setting boundaries, adapting to unexpected challenges while traveling, and lifestyle changes that help her manage flares. Beyond her health journey, Sahara shares her passion for writing and gives us insight into her two books—Love Letters to Myself, a heartfelt collection of poetry on love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, and Reflections, which explores themes of heritage, culture, and love. She leaves us with valuable advice for students managing a rheumatic disease and reflects on what she would tell her younger self when she was first diagnosed.Donate to Take a Pain Check Today: https://www.gofundme.com/f/takeapaincDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes.Our socials:Website: www.takeapaincheck.comInstagram: / takeapaincheck_ Tiktok: / takeapainchec. .X: https://x.com/takeapaincheckLinkedin: / take-a-pain-check Sahara’s socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missbrainyb...Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara