My name's Ronee'. In case you don't remember, I'm the kid who wrote about my sister, Barbara, and I'm also the one who wrote the autobiography.
I have a best friend in Nicole Michelle Aldape. Like me, she is 9 years old, but she is older (by 6 months; her birthday is in June). She also has JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), but she has it even worse than I do. She got it when she was a little baby, and she uses an electric wheelchair. She CAN use crutches, but it's ONLY for short, short trips. She has already had surgery on her hips, ankles, and knees, and this summer, she's facing surgery on her hands. (I haven't had any joint surgeries yet--THANK GOD!!--, but I'm sure I'll need them someday.)
Nicole moved here to Tennessee from California. She moved here because her daddy, Arturo, got a transfer for his job. (He works as an attourney.) Her mommy, Michelle (now you know where she got her middle name from!), stays at home to help with Nicole. Nicole is an only child; she has no brothers or sisters.
Kind of makes it hard when she gets into trouble, as she can't blame anyone--
Nicole is the complete opposite of me, in terms of looks: for starters, she is fat while I am thin. Secondly, she has blonde hair and fair skin (but she does tan in the summer; I think it's the Italian in her), and she has brown eyes. She looks more like her daddy, but she has her mom's coloring. She also doesn't talk with a southern drawl like I do. (She says I "tawk funny.")
Nicole is also my opposite because she loves rock music, in particular, the group "KISS." I love country/western and Cajun music, mostly. I also love gospel, Broadway musicals, and rap music. I DO like SOME rock music, but I prefer country and Cajun music overall. Earlier this year she took me to see "KISS" in concert when they came to Nashville, and even though I liked the concert I COULDN'T HEAR FOR A WEEK; THEIR MUSIC WAS LOUD!!!!!! They were good, but I didn't like it when Gene Simmons pretended to spit up blood. THAT was GROSS!!!! (I can't STAND the sight of blood. I had to cover my eyes when he did that; otherwise I might have gotten sick all over Nicole!!)
But despite our vast differences she and I are "two peas in a pod." She and I met at arthritis camp nearly two years ago, and we've hit it off ever since. (We go to "Camp Steppingstone" every summer for a week; it's a camp for kids ages 7-18 who have arthritis. It's put on by the local Arthritis Foundation.) We met at the cafeteria.
Nicole is really nice, although she isn't as talkative as I am. She's more on the shy side.
Nicole likes butterflies, rain, drawing, writing in her journal, and listening to her rock music records. She also likes going to rock concerts. (Besides "KISS" she's also seen Mick Jagger and "The Rolling Stones", "Journey", Phil Collins, and "Fleetwood Mac.") She also loves going to arthritis camp every summer. (She's gone longer than I have: she started going to camp at age 5.)
And I can always help her with her homework. And she can help me.
All in all Nicole is a great friend. I am lucky to have her as my friend. She's funny, and she can always be counted on to make me laugh whenever I'm having a bad day.
ONE WORD OF CAUTION, though: DON'T EVER CALL HER "NICKI"!!!!! She just might have to hurt you if you do that (like buzzing your toes with her wheelchair)------
The multiple award winning, 5 Star story of a baby penguin who searches the world to find the woman that saved his life. A wonderful novel with a Christmas feel. Loved by all 4 - 94. Novel or E-book
