Kirsten Schultz

Kirsten began experiencing symptoms of Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA) shortly after she started kindergarten in 1993, but it took a host of misdiagnoses –including leukemia – to find the answer. She grew up without proper medical treatment, which shefinally began in 2010. Since then, she has failed seven medications. However, with the help of hermedical team, she has finally found one that greatly reduces the inflammation, rashes, and fevers thatare characteristic of SJIA. This daily shot combined with dietary and lifestyle changeshasmade a worldof difference.

During this latest journey, Kirsten began writing about her illnesses. She runs her own website, Not Standing Still’s Disease, about her battles with multiple chronic illnesses and how they affect manydifferent aspects of life. She has recently started Chronic Sex as well to share resources and information on how chronic illnesses affect our self-love, self-care, relationships, sex, and sexuality.She is also proud to work with the Arthritis Foundation on a number of local andnational projects, serve as a local support group co-leader for Arthritis Introspective, write for Creaky Joints, and be an official Joint Decisions blogger.

When she’s not working on her master’s degree focused on patient advocacy, Kirsten can be found spending time at home with her three guinea pigs –GusGus, Jacques, and Oreo. She also enjoys hiking,playing the ukulele, and meditating. She wants to thank her husband Theron and her sister Kelsey for being her biggest sources of support.