Having arthritis is hard for anyone, but it is more so for a child.
Take it from me. I am a child, and I have arthritis.
I know what you are probably thinking: "But you are only a child; how can you have arthritis at YOUR age?" But it ~IS~ true : I DO have arthritis. I have the kind that strikes children--juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, or JRA, for short. It strikes children under the age of 16 years.
There are several types of arthritis in children, ranging from the mild to severe. I have the severe form, the kind that can affect my body organs, like my heart, lungs, liver, or stomach, in addition to my joints. I have had JRA since I was 4 1/2 (but wasn't diagnosed with it until I was 5). I have had it for just over 5 years now.
Because of my arthritis, I am often in a lot of pain. The pain, at times, can be excruciating, especially when I have a "flare", which is when my arthritis is active. When I have a "flare", I can feel very sick, and at times I can end up in the hospital because I am in so much pain I can hardly move. Besides the pain, I also get high fevers, a rash, and an upset stomach, and at times, I can get chest pains if my heart or lungs are affected by the flare. But other times I can manage pretty well on my crutches, and I don't really have a lot of trouble getting around. If I do, then I use my wheelchair, like at school, or if I have to go to a place like Wal*Mart or a festival or something. I also have to take pain medication several times a day, and in the morning, I have to have a hot bath so as to unstiffen my joints. (The early mornings or days when the weather is bad are the worst times for me.)
I also have to have a friend or two carry my bag of school books for me because I can't do it when I am on my crutches. I need both my hands to hang onto my crutches or use my wheelchair; trying to carry my books and use my crutches is next to impossible. I also have to leave a little earlier than my classmates, so I can make it to my next class on time and not be late. (I don't really move that fast, especially in the morning, or if I am having a "bad pain day".)
What does arthritis FEEL like? Well, it feels like some mean man is inside my body, just hammering away at my joints; it's like he is hitting my knee or my hips or my shoulders over and over again, and he just doesn't know ~WHEN~ to stop!! It can get PAST annoying a lot of the time!! And at times, especially when I am "flaring", I am so tired it isn't funny; and I often don't feel good. I had missed quite a bit of school last year, on account of my "flares". It is not very fun to have arthritis anyway, but it is especially so when you're a kid. At times I have to stay inside because I am hurting so bad, and my brothers or sisters are outside playing, and then I have to think of something to do to entertain myself (or else I just SLEEP!). And the stiffness is something else. In the morning I have more difficulty moving, so I have to have a good, hot soaking bath just to loosen my joints, so I can move halfway decent!!
And the medications I take taste absolutely ~YUCKY~; but I know I have to take them if I am to have any relief from the pain and inflammation. They help a lot, but they have some bad side effects, like dry mouth, weight gain, and dry eyes. I take three pills in the morning, one at midday, and two at night. They are supposed to help control inflammation and pain. I also have to have physical therapy three times a week, to further help my joints.
Which is one of the reasons I usually can get around very well, even though I am on crutches. I may be on crutches, but at times I am a regular little ~CHEETAH~!! On those "good days" NOBODY can keep up with me!!
Arthritis IS a bad thing (it can really mess a person's body up; I have seen some people with arthritis who are so disabled it isn't a BIT funny!), but there are plenty of things that are TEN TIMES worse. Like AIDS, as an example. Or Ebolla (spelled wrong!). Or I could be in a wheelchair ~ALL OF THE TIME~ and need help with absolutely ~EVERYTHING~; but I thank God that I am not ~THAT~ bad off. At least I can ~WALK~, even if it ~IS~ on crutches or leg braces, and at least I can take care of myself (for the most part; if I am having a "bad pain day", then I need extra help).
And..I consider myself blessed because I have a family who loves me, and I have many friends; and I am very grateful indeed. So what if I have arthritis..at least I have my LIFE because it is a ~GOOD ONE~!! :)
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**Written by Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux, aged 9 1/2 years**
excellent write, you can see this little girl did her homework! :) this is a very informative write...thank you for sharing. (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)
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