1. Will you join me in wearing blue on Friday, May 10, 2013 to raise awareness for arthritis. Arthritis is not your Grandma's disease. 50 million people suffer from this debilitating disease including 300,000 children in the USA alone. It is the number 1 cause of disability in America. Let me repeat that, it is the number 1 cause of disability in America! By bringing awareness of this devastating disease it will bring us closer to finding a cure.
2. Wear Blue for this beautiful girl:
M&M waiting for her nightly medication
3. Wear blue for this handsome young man:
Liam getting remicade infusion
4. Wear blue for this handsome young man:
Levi getting his remicade infusion
5. Wear blue for this handsome young man:
Mr. James just trying to live his life
6. Wear blue for my family because no family should ever have to go through this. No child should have to endure daily medication that leaves them nauseated, makes their hair thin and fall out, head aches and fatigue. No child should have to endure shots that leave bruises that never quite heal. No child should have to endure hours upon hours in a hospital getting a tri-weekly infusion that takes multiple pokes to obtain a site for the iv. No child should ever have to go through any of these things just to have the right to be able to play, the right to be able to go to school, the right to be able to hang out with family and friends. Juvenile Arthritis has robbed these kids of those basic rights. So please wear blue. Please support my family because no one wants to see their child suffer.
7. Finally, I promise I will shut up, this is from a juvenile arthritis support group in Ireland. A pretty smart group of kids came up with these do's and don'ts.
Do and Don’ts for Arthritis:
Don’t assume that because I look well I feel well. Looks can be deceiving. Many days I look great but feel terrible.
Don’t tell me you know how I feel because you DON’T. Two people with the same disease can feel totally different.
Don’t tell me ‘’it could be worse’’. Yes, it could be but I don’t need to be reminded all the time.
Don’t be upset that you can’t ease my pain. It won’t do any good two of us being miserable.
Don’t ask me how I feel unless you really want to know. You may hear a lot more, than you are prepared to listen to.
Don’t assume because I did a certain activity yesterday that and I can do it again today. Arthritis is ever changing. Each day is different.
Don’t decide what I am capable of doing. Arthritis does not affect the brain. Allow me to decide what activity I can participate in. There may be times that I make the wrong decisions, and if I do, I will know it soon enough.
Do learn everything you can about the disease. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to know what to expect.
Do realize I am angry and frustrated with the disease, not with you.
Do let me know you are able to help me when I ask. I’ll be grateful.
Do offer me lots of hugs and encouragement.
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