Meet Sarah Dillingham, founder of Grace & Able
I am an arthritis patient on a mission to make joint support products that women want to wear. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis over 20 years ago, and it had a major impact on every aspect of my life, from relationships to career to personal goals. I’m also the founder of Grace & Able and I run an online community for women with arthritis.
I grew up in London, the UK, where I spent most of my life. I have traveled around Europe, Asia, and Australia, but the USA is the only country outside of the UK I have lived in for years at a time. I moved to beautiful Washington state with my (American) husband a few years ago. We share our home with two yappy mini-schnauzers who are incredibly spoiled.
As much as I love WA, I do often wonder why I left one rainy place for another, so I enjoy traveling around the USA and visiting other states. One of my favourite things to do is travel around the US by Amtrak and stop off in small towns, where I can meet people and have adventures. Being English is an easy conversation starter, and most people are super friendly.
I’m in the midst of:
Scaling my joint support brand Grace & Able. And, perimenopause which is a rollercoaster.
The best thing about my current age (51):
I don’t feel the need to people please, and I feel connected to my purpose. I am also very practiced at prioritizing fun, peace, and connection over drama, stress, and petty nonsense.
The best thing I’ve done for myself in this stage of life:
Letting go of situations and people I have outgrown (or grown in different directions). Moving to another country does create challenges around maintaining old friendships, so while it’s sad to let things go, it is also a natural part of life and makes room for new connections.
My current must-haves in life:
- Swimming—I love to swim, indoors and outdoors, including wild swimming. I’ve even done a New Year’s Day polar bear dip!
- Honeydew side sleeping pillow—so comfy! Sleep is super important during perimenopause, and a great pillow helps a lot.
- Merino wool socks – my feet get really cold otherwise.
- Treating my teen nieces to shopping trips – I enjoy spoiling them, buying them fancy lunches, and taking them to spas!
- Rituxan infusions for rheumatoid arthritis – this medication allows me to live an almost normal lifestyle.
- Travel and seeing the world—life is short, and there are so many interesting people and places to see that I can’t get enough of it!
- Grace & Able Compression Gloves to manage arthritic finger pain
What brought you to The Midst?
The refreshingly down-to-earth attitude to mid-life and aging. Heading into menopause is daunting, but it’s a common experience, so why not talk about it realistically?
What do you want most for/from the community of women you surround yourself with?
Challenge and collaboration, innovation, fun, and adventures. I want all of my friends and community to feel like they are getting the best of life, however that looks for them and in whatever way makes them happy.
My Grown-Ass Lady heroes:
Gisele Pelicot – an incredibly brave woman holding some terrible people to account without shame.
What progress do you hope to see in society for future generations of women?
For health care providers take women seriously and not dismiss our symptoms. 80% of autoimmune patients are women, and it takes an average of 7 years for an autoimmune patient to get an accurate diagnosis. This is a huge amount of wasted time, energy, and potential – not to mention the unnecessary pain and stress it causes for individuals. This needs to change.
What’s next for you:
For Grace & Able, we are bringing a new thumb brace product to market in 2025.
For me personally, I’d love to spend more time in the national parks, specifically West Glacier, Yellowstone, Joshua Tree, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. I’m also keen to take my mum on a train trip across the USA from Chicago to Seattle; it’s a very comfortable way to see the country.
