You probably didn't know there was one. Many don't. I, however, choose to look at the bright side of things. I was diagnosed with Rhumatiod Arthritis (also known as crippling arthritis) at age 27. There are many down-sides to RA. The disease is chronic and progressive. There is no cure. It shortens your life span by approximately 15 years. Depressed, yet? I was. Depression also is a cohort of RA.

But Traci, where's the up-side? A hyper active immune system! I've never had those pesky childhood diseases: mumps, measles, chicken pox, mono, strep. And now as the dreaded flu season circles...I remain untouched.

So on those days when my fingers won't bend or I can't walk too well, I remind myself. There's an up-side to most every situation.