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Cheryl’s Story & Bio

Cheryl Gabe Charlie FamilyPhotos Cheryl Crow

Hi! My name is Cheryl Crow and I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I turned twenty years old. Here is my official bio:

Cheryl Crow is a fierce advocate for meeting the full picture of patients’ needs beyond joint pain. After living with rheumatoid arthritis for over a decade and becoming an occupational therapist, Cheryl founded Arthritis Life with the mission of educating, empowering and supporting people with arthritis.

Cheryl is known for her entertaining yet educational videos featuring arthritis life hacks, product demonstrations, and insights into the psychosocial aspects of life with invisible chronic illness. She created and hosts the Arthritis Life Podcast and runs the online self-management course and support group Rheum to THRIVE, where she helps people adjust to their conditions and live full and meaningful lives. 

Cheryl is also a freelance video creator for Global Healthy Living Foundation and CreakyJoints, and a freelance writer whose work can be found in EverydayHealth, Healthline, Bezzy RA and more. She also volunteers with the American College of Rheumatology, Arthritis Foundation, Washington Occupational Therapy Association and American Occupational Therapy Association.

Cheryl lives in the Seattle, Washington area with her husband, son, cat and cavalier king charles spaniel dog. In her free time she can be found playing board games, spending quality time with friends and family, reading, exploring new gluten free baking recipes, exploring Washington State parks, and taking naps.

Professional Highlights

  • Professional interests: all of my professional interests seem to start with the letter “a:” arthritis, anxiety, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), AD/HD, autism, and advocacy! I spent five years working in pediatric outpatient and school based services as an occupational therapist and absolutely loved those roles. I pivoted to serving the arthritis population in 2019 because I felt it was an underserved space in the occupational therapy world. See more of my “why” in the “mission & vision” page.
  • Visual Storytelling nonprofit work: I worked at a nonprofit that connected children in different cultures through short videos and picture stories from 2005-8. It was called “Bridges to Understanding” and it is no longer a standalone nonprofit but the curriculum and videos we developed are part of Teachers Without Borders.
  • Teaching at the college level: Since 2016 I have served as an adjunct faculty member at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology occupational therapy assistant program. I have taught Conditions in Occupational Therapy, Pediatrics, and Professional Topics.
  • Washington State Occupational Therapy Association leadership positions: Legislative chair, 2014-16, Membership chair, 2016-19
  • I am on Linked In if you’d like a more detailed professional history.

Cheryl’s Education & Research Highlights

  • I graduated with honors with a major in Psychology and a minor in Anthropology from Vassar College in 2004 – I like to joke that I majored in “people!”
  • Masters in Occupational Therapy: I earned this in 2012 from Samuel Merritt University in 2012 and completed my fieldwork level 2 internships in Spinal Cord Rehabilitation and a Skilled Nursing Facility.
  • AOTA Emerging Leaders Development Program: I was selected into this competitive mentorship program from 2013-14.
  • Research:
    • The Role of Facebook Groups for Social Participation for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Content Analysis – presented to World Federation of Occupational Therapists conference in Yokohama, Japan, American College of Rheumatology Confererence and Washington Occupational Therapy Association conference in 2014.
    • Current research: in conjunction with 3 other rheumatoid arthritis patients, I am conducted research on the role of a Facebook support group for mothers/soon to be mothers with chronic illnesses. We presented this at the American College of Rheumatology conference in late 2020.

Freelance Writing – Articles I have Written

Healthline.Com and BezzyRA

Everyday health

Arthritis-Health.com

AnkylosingSpondylitis.net

Mamas Facing Forward

Miscellaneous Articles

Articles I have appeared in or contributed to

Podcast episodes where I have appeared as a guest

Arthritis Volunteer Work & Advocacy

  • Volunteer speaker at educational events:
    • Arthritis Foundation Bone & Joint Expo in 2015
    • World Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory arthritis day 2015
    • KAT Fish camp for kids with arthritis in 2015-2018
    • Arthritis Foundation “Live Yes Connect” adult support group in 2017
  • Professional speaker: Beyond Joint Pain – Treating Arthritis from the full scope of Occupational Therapy:
    • Developed and presented at Washington Occupational Therapy Association conference in 2018
  • Arthritis Foundation:
    • Served on organizational committee for KAT-FISh camp for children and families of children with arthritis and related diseases. In 2015 I was in charge of organizing the educational content for KAT-FISH camp

Interested in connecting with me further?