Third installment in this series; Nicole is a neighbor and friend to Ronee' and Johnny and their family. They know each other very well. (Like Ronee', Nicole has severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.)
Nicole Michelle Aldape (Al-dah-pay) is my name, and I will be 11 in two and a half months, on June 26. I live in Tennessee, in Nashville, with my parents. I am an only child; I have no brothers or sisters.
I am fairly short for my age, and I am very fat. I have always been heavy, ever since I was little. (I am built like my daddy, Arturo. He is fat, too.) I have long, blonde hair that is straight (I usually wear it in a ponytail) and brown eyes, and I have freckles on my nose and cheeks. I also happen to be handicapped; I have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which I have had since I was a baby. I usually use a wheelchair, but for short trips, I rely on my crutches, which are purple. I also have a pair of crutches that are green.
I am often in a lot of pain, and I suffer a lot of "flares", which is where my disease acts up especially bad, and sometimes I have ended up in the hospital because I am in so much pain. I often have to have two or even three hot baths a DAY just to loosen up my stiff joints, and I have to have p.t. (that's physical therapy) three times a week at the hospital (or daily if I am IN the hospital). I also wear braces (light plastic with velcro straps) on my legs to help stabilize them; my balance isn't too good, and I have been known to fall (NOT good on achy joints!).
I see a pediatric rheumatologist every month; and her name is Dr. Hansen. She is really nice, and she treats me like a human being instead of just like a patient who just happens to have arthritis. I have been going to her since I came here to Tennessee. (I moved here almost 3 years ago from San Diego, in California; I moved here because daddy got a transfer from his job.)
For the past 2 1/2 years, I have been going to an arthritis camp put on by the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, and I have made many friends, including my BEST friend, Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux. Ronee' has JRA, too, but while she still has the systemic form (the severe stuff), she still doesn't have it NEARLY as bad as I do, and she gets around a lot better than I do. (Ronee' lives a few streets down, on Twin Rivers Lane. I live on Stilwater Terrace. She is as dark as I am light [dark hair, dark eyes, dark skin], and she is quite thin; and she is littler than me. She is a really good friend, and she and I can talk about just about ANYTHING!)
My daddy's name is Arturo, and my mom's name is Michelle (which is how I got my middle name; daddy named me). I am half Italian and half German. I look more German than Italian, but I DO have daddy's dark eyes, and when it is sunny out, I tan really easily. Daddy works as a lawyer, but mom stays home to take care of me.
I like to listen to rock music (the group "KISS" is my absolute favorite band; I've always liked them!), write on my computer, read, draw, write stories and poems, go swimming (swimming is the BEST possible thing for arthritis; and the water always feels HEAVENLY on my joints!), collect cards and stamps, and go to camp. (I go to Camp SteppingStone every August. It is put on by the local Arthritis Foundation.) I also like to play with my cousins when they come to visit from California because it's like having the brothers or sisters I never had.
Well, that is my story. Hope you enjoyed reading it!
Yes I agree with Karla this s going to be a terriffic series, seek a Publisher!
God Bless
~Michelle~
Reviewed by Jennifer Cary
3/31/2003
Karen, Nice job getting into the head of a 10 year old with a disability - that can be tricky as they are all kid but there's an added something because of what they're learning to overcome. Enjoyable and well written - very real! Abundant blessings! Jenny
enjoyed reading more of nicole...this is going to be a terrific series, if the first three chapters are any indication! well written, great reads! (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)
