Maya is a sweet preschooler with a big smile, who loves playing dress-up and dancing. You would never guess that she lives with a debilitating disease like pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). A year and a half ago, Maya began limping and her right knee was noticeably larger than her left. Concerned, her parents brought her to their family doctor for answers.
The family doctor was unable to give an explanation and referred Maya to a pediatric orthopedic more than an hour away in Fargo, ND. There, Maya had surgery to drain her knee and after, seemed to improve. But when the swelling and pain returned later that year, her parents had to continue their search for answers. They found their answer with a pediatric rheumatologist in the Twin Cities; pauciarticular JRA that was in three of Maya’s joints.
“It was a mixture of emotions to have a diagnosis, feeling relieved to know what was going on and also feeling overwhelmed with all the information and understanding of what JRA is all about,” Maya’s mother said. Maya receives shots twice a week to control her arthritis in addition to several other medications. She must deal with drug side effects on a daily basis, including what her family calls “tummy issues.” Despite drug side effects, Maya is doing very well.
Today, Maya’s biggest challenge is keeping up with her two sisters and her classmates. “We feel very blessed that she is running around and feeling good. She’s very active and has lots of enthusiasm for life,” her mother said.
Walk with us this spring
The Arthritis Walk® is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis.
Get your company involved or recruit friends and family members to form a team. Best of all, walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis and know you’re making a difference by raising funds to support Arthritis Foundation research, public health and public policy efforts to improve the lives of people with arthritis.
By registering for the 2009 Arthritis Walk, you are also becoming a part of Let's Move Together®, a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation. Let's Move Together® encourages people to move to prevent or treat arthritis.
At the Event…
Choose from a three-mile or one-mile walk route
Write an inspirational message on the Wall of Heroes
Wear a blue “hero” hat if you have arthritis
Enjoy the fun, festivities and free health information
Register Today
Register online today! Once you register, you can set up your own personal Web page and begin fund raising. Raise $100 or more and earn an official Arthritis Walk® T-shirt.
If you have questions, please contact: Lindsey Kumlien lkumlien@arthritis.org 651-644-4108
