another bone sister

"it feels like someone is chiseling away at my joints with an ice pick."

these were the words my friend, erica gerber, whispered in 2002, just a few days after she got back from her honeymoon.

disgnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 32, erica went from being a property manager, board member of the valentine museum, graduate student, interior designer, new bride, and the darling of the richmond cultural scene, to being laid out on the couch, having to be carried into and out of the bath each night.

instead of taking this diagnosis lying down, erica decided to "give a young face to an old person's disease."

in just five short years, erica has become the chief arthritis advocate for the state of virginia where she's lobbyed in d.c. and met with every major congressmen to continue to enact new legislation for those stricken with this disease. she's gone on the lecture circuit, marched all across the country, and even started an award-winning organization called "just 10". google her name and articles and interviews will come up from the top media outlets in america and across the globe.

she's coming to denver tomorrow to give a lecture and i cannot wait to sit at her table and marvel at all that she has accomplished. her courage to be happy in the face of adversity humbles me and spurs me on to live my absolute best life.

love you, girl.