**This post was updated in Decemeber 2021!
For your holiday shopping, I highly encourage you support small businesses that are owned by people who identify as disabled, or people who live with chronic illnesses.
I’m excited to highlight some amazing online education programs, physical gifts, pain tools and other helpful items for your holiday shopping needs! I plan on adding to this list, so if you know of a product I missed, please email me or contact me on social media and I’ll update it.
Online Education & Coaching Products for People with Chronic Illness:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Roadmap – I created this online course so that no one has to learn how to navigate rheumatoid arthritis on their own or with incomplete information. I’ve assembled the best tools to manage stress and pain, from my experience as an occupational therapist and a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, into a down-to-earth, step-by-step guide that you can go through at your own pace. My goal is to empower you to learn ways to not just live but THRIVE with RA. It’s the perfect gift for someone newly diagnosed!
- Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Coaching Program: Chronic Pain Nutritionist / LiveWellwithKia – Kia is a passionate patient living with rheumatoid arthritis who is currently studying nutrition, and Jenifer Tharani is a Registered Dietitian. They run an 8 week, online group anti-inflammatory nutrition coaching program that is very evidence-based, balanced and supportive! Contact them on their Instagram profiles (linked above) to learn more.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Coach – Stefanie lives with RA and also has a background as Nurse Practitioner. She offers an individualized 12 week 1:1 coaching program that includes medical chart reviews and individualized recommendations.
- Erika – Autoimmune Coach – I haven’t worked with Erica directly but her posts on Instagram really resonate with me and I love how she emphasizes tailored solutions rather than “one size fits all!” She also has a holistic approach that takes into account mindset, stress, overall lifestyle, nutrition, movement and more.
- Rachel Albo autoimmune coaching – Rachel is a kindred spirit when it comes to fun dance videos on Instagram, with empowering underlying messages! She also offers a 12 week coaching program which you can learn more about here.
- Chronic Insights: This 3-D symptom tracking app was designed by James, who lives with Ankylosing Spondylitis. You can draw *exactly* where your pain is, right onto the app!
- Pain Toolkit: Pete Moore created this down to earth guide to managing pain on a daily basis. Pete is a creative and passionate patient who’s lived with chronic back pain for decades. Check out his website for a variety of “self-management” educational materials for patients and providers!
Exercise and Yoga Services:
- Julia McNally – The RA Yogi – Julia lives with RA and is also a certified yoga instructor, chair yoga instructor and Yoga for Arthritis teacher!
- Yoga with Paulina – Paulina, an RA warrior, offers a variety of chronic-illness friendly online yoga classes. I have taken her classes and can attest that she has a wonderful way of explaining how to modify poses if you live with pain! You can also find Paulina on Instagram.
- RheumForYoga – Blair has rheumatoid arthritis and offers a variety of yoga services for others with similar conditions.
- AnotherdaywithRA – Ali is a wildly entertaining, down to earth rheumatoid arthritis warrior who offers personal training, group exercise and dance classes!
- RA Warrior Fitness – Ashley Nicole lives with RA and offers a variety of fitness classes!
- RA Warrior Randi – Randi Blackmon, ACSM-EP is a rheumatoid arthritis warrior and future Doctor of Chiropractic who offers personal training sessions.
- Move to Liv: Liv is a personal trainer with rheumatoid arthritis who leads fitness classes and also has a free Facebook group for support.
- Force of Nature Personal Training – Ann Storey is a personal trainer who also lives with rheumatoid arthritis.
Products that help with pain
- Grace & Able compression gloves – these gloves help reduce the sensation of pain and reduce swelling through gentle compression, and the company was founded by Sarah, who has rheumatoid arthritis! The gloves come in a variety of beautiful colors, as opposed to other brands which typically have only gray or black. The link above is my affiliate link.
- The Spoonie Society – lots of helpful hot packs and more, from Australia.
- UnbuckleMe – This aid helps you unbuckle car seats with ease, and was designed by an occupational therapist who has osteoarthritis!
- Healthy Joints gloves – This company is run by Phillipe, who has chronic hand pain. The gloves come in a variety of fun patterns and they have some great specials for the holidays: Black Friday 50% off first pair, $75% off second pair! Find them on Instagram here.
Good gift ideas: shirts, mugs, stickers & more:
- “Disability is not a bad word” sweatshirt – This was created by an amazing company called Diversability, whose mission is to “amplify disabled voices and democratize disability visibility, representation, and access.”
- Self Care is for Everyone – I am in love with their mission: “to love and empower this wonderful community of diverse humans who have congregated around their shared struggles with mental health and who recognize the essential role that self-care and community care plays in the healing journey.” They have beautiful shirts, pins and more! The “It’s ok to ask for help” shirt with the cat can be found here.
- Teespoonies – Rach’s goal is “raising awareness of invisible illness through innovative + ethical design” and her shirts are gorgeous!
- That Girl With Arthritis – Brianna’s Etsy store has SO many cute mugs, shirts and more! Brianna is a Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA warrior). My favorite things in her shop are a “I’m dreaming of a Pain Free Christmas” mug, and she also recently debuted a symptom tracker! You can follow her on Instagram here.
- Rana 2.0 – Rana describes herself as a “black disabled artist” and she makes beautiful posters, shirts, stickers and more. Check them out at her business page.
- Spoonful of Chronic – This sweet Etsy shop is run by two young women who live with chronic illnesses: Chloe (juvenile idiopathic arthritis) and Tessa (aquagenic urticaria – water allergy).
- Claiming Disability – Erin Noon Kay is the CEO & Founder of Claiming Disability Inc. Erin identifies a “fierce disabled entrepreneurial woman,” with Cerebral Palsy. She offers a variety of empowering shirts at her store here.
- Rising above RA products – From her shop: “Patient advocate, activist and writer, Effie Koliopoulos was inspired to create this shop because of her own health journey living with rheumatoid arthritis, the community, and overall love for accessories, graphic tees, hoodies and items that are meaningful, relatable and humorous.” My favorite: sticker that says not all disabilities are visible.
- Art by Amanda Pratt Etsy Shop – Amanda lives with Lyme disease and POTS/ dysautonomia. Her Etsy site features beautiful hand made ornaments, artwork and more.
- @blueagainstja – This simple T-shirt shop was started by a group of teenagers who are rallying around their friend who lives with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
- Spoonie Sister Shop – lots of cute shirts and other items designed for spoonies, by a spoonie!
- Vintage Flair Crafts – Cindy has a great etsy store and she is “here to empower women with disabilities, showing them they can do hard things!”
Books Written by People with Chronic Illness:
- Cursed – Karol Ruth Silverstein wrote this fantastic young adult novel featuring a protagonist who grumpily copes with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a condition she also lives with.
- Beat Arthritis Naturally – Most of you who follow me know that I am a big advocate for the role that western medications can play for the management of rheumatoid arthritis; it is very rare for anyone to be able to sustain long term remission from RA without medications. However that being said, there are many lifestyle factors that can help with symptom control, and Emily’s book offers many insights from subject matter experts on foods, stress management techniques and other ways to manage RA outside of, or in addition to, medication.
- Sonata – This book was written by Andrea Avery, a piano prodigy whose career was affected by her rheumatoid arthritis.
- Chronic Christmas: Lene Andersen has lived with juvenile idiopathic arthritis for over 4 decades and she shares her best tips for navigating the holiday season with chronic illness in this book.
Chronic illness-owned companies that provide other products or services:
- @Nicavesani – Nicole has ad RA for 20 years and also has COPD. She’s mom of 2 amazing boys and she has a super supportive husband! Nicole offers private singing lessons at her online voice studio here.
- Maryam Chohan, @MaryamChohan119 on Instagram, offers WordPress Website Services.
- @Notamomma – This is a positive, supportive podcast and community for people who are child-free. Raphie, who lives with fibromyalgia and arthritis, created and runs this program.
- World of OT – online training for school-based occupational therapists; this was created by Ushma Sampat, a dear friend of mine who lives with ankylosing spondylitis.
CHARITABLE DONATIONS
Instead of a physical gift, you may wish to give a charitable donation to a nonprofit organization, in order to benefit people living with rheumatic diseases and other chronic illnesses. Here are just a few to get you started:
- Arthritis Foundation – USA
- Arthritis Society – Canada
- Arthritis Research Canada
- Versus Arthritis – UK
- Chronically Brown
- Make it Count 4 Dani
- RA Guy Foundation – the only nonprofit that focuses exclusively on the emotional impact of rheumatoid arthritis.
- International Foundation for Autoimmune and Auto Inflammatory Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Patient Foundation
- Autoimmune Association
- Arthritis National Research Foundation
- Spondylitis Association of America
- National Psoriasis Foundation
BONUS SUGGESTIONS
These are not run by people with chronic illnesses per se, but they are small businesses that make products relevant to people with arthritis.
Small Businesses that make Arthritis Friendly Products:
- Buttons2button – This innovative gadget turns your regular buttons magnetic so they’re easier to take on and off!
- Keywing – This Key turner aid comes in a variety of fun colors and makes it much easier to open doors!
Small businesses that benefit people with disabilities
- Living Over Labels is a shop run by Shannen Coley, a passionate occupational therapist who is using proceeds from this shop to fund her inclusive children’s book series.
Other gift ideas for people with arthritis or chronic illness
- Acupuncturist / Massage gift card
- Jar opening aids and more from my master list of gadgets here)
- Hand warmers for cold weather
- The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living
- Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Man’s Search for Meaning
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below!
Looks like the roadmap is missing Navigating school – tips for a 504 plan, IEP and goin to college when should i seek services.
That’s a great idea Rick. It could be an optional course, like navigating parenthood when living with RA. Cheryl, I also see fellow autoimmune warrior on a part-time basis for nutritional couching as a member of a Physiotherapy clinic that specializes in arthritis and inflammatory arthritis.
https://stgeorgephysio.ca
http://www.arthritisdietitian.com
Oooo this is a fab round-up! I love the variety here, will bookmark this to take a browse later. Well done for all the effort in getting so many awesome businesses together for this post! xx
Hello just wanted to let you know that this article was a readers’ fav on my Twitter feed for the week and I’ve rounded it up here. Keep up the great work with your writing 🙂 https://www.achronicvoice.com/2020/12/12/holiday-gift-guides-243/
Hi, I’m so sorry for the delay in response, thanks so much for the positive feedback!