My kids have been in the paper many times over the years, honor rolls, scholarships, playground designs and one not so great reason: My youngest has rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnosed at the age of 22 and now 26, Andrea has been battling this disease for 4 years now. And if you think I am exaggerating, battle it she has. Rheumatoid arthritis can be an extremely debilitating disease; the treatment for it can also cause other problems.
Again, this year, she is asking for support for The Arthritis Foundation’s Annual Jingle Bell 5K walk/run in Northville, Michigan. This will be her fourth walk, and believe me it is a challenge. I know, because DH and I walked it with her before we moved here. Picture charming Northville, Michigan with all its hills and tree-lined residential streets. Picture walking that with an inch or so of snow on the ground in temperatures well below freezing. If you make it up that first hill, you are already a champ. When you make it up the second hill, you are only about one-quarter through the route. The year we walked it with her, there were children, adults, and I will never forget the two elderly ladies walking the route with their canes, taking a breather ever couple of blocks. In the snow and cold.
This run/walk helps to raise money to search for a cure for RA. Maybe it won't come soon enough to help Andrea, but just maybe it might make life easier for your child or grandchild.
Here is a link to her site: Andrea's Jingle Bell Donation Page.
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