A Journey to self discovery and healing with Logan Rivera!!
Hey dudes!!!! Today we get to sit in with one of favorite RS family members, Logan Rivera! We connected last year over spritually and cannabis. It felt like it was meant be. Introduce yourself, dude....
LR: My name is Logan Rivera and I am 25 years old. I am a cook.
A&A: Omg, no wonder we always see such amazing food on your instagram! What's your disability?
LR: I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 4 years ago.
A&A: How does RA affect you?
LR: Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissue causing chronic pain and joint damage. My RA effects me everyday, I have stiffness and pain in, what feels like, all of my joints
A&A: Aww, man! When did you discover cannabis?
LR: I had always known about cannabis and had heard of how much it helped people with their pain. A friend of mine told me to just give it a try because I was popping pain medication like they were tic tacs and they lectured me on how bad that could be for my body. So I decided to give it a try and found that it helped me immensely.
A&A: Ooooo...do tell!!!
LR: Cannabis has helped with my pain level. It helps me bring my pain level from a 9 down to a 4 or 5 on good days. It has helped me with my nausea and lack of appetite due to some of my medications. It has also helped me greatly with my gender dysphoria.
In other words it helps keep me grounded and in less pain so that I can go about my day.
A&A: Well, we think you do your communtiy proud. I know we are certainly proud to capture your story. How have you been handling pandemic?
LR: The pandemic has been hard on me both mentally and physically. I can’t go out as much to get my daily exercise because I am more at risk, due to my RA. Not being able to spend time with friends and family outside of my home has had an effect on my mental health. The pandemic is very draining and yet also reviving in a way. It’s draining because of the monotony of self isolation but it’s reviving to be able to spend more time with my family.
To get to know my children better and have a closer relationship with my wife. The pandemic has really given me time to reflect on the things that are most important in life and have allowed to me to think about my next step.
A&A: It's been a ride for sure, but we think that's a really healthy outlook. For people struggling with you diaognosis what's something you want them to know?
LR: If you are struggling from RA my advice is this, you know your body better than anyone. You know what your limits are and what you can handle. If your current medication doesn’t feel like it’s helping, speak to your doctor. There are so many medication options for people suffering from RA. If your Doctor isn’t being as helpful as you feel they should be then look into switching to another doctor who will really listen to you when you voice your concerns.