Having a child with Juvenile Arthritis has opened my eyes to the world of autoimmune disorders. I constantly research. I question the doctors. I question the pharmacists.
Nobody advocates for a child as well as her mother can and will. Meeting other moms travelling this road was invaluable to me. They’ve given me the right questions to ask and shared their experiences with me. I’ve put together this page to:
- Show other moms navigating early JA diagnosis that what they are feeling is normal
- Give tips based on what I went through in the early years
- Spread awareness and erase some of the misconceptions regarding JIA
- JA is not like the adult osteoarthritis that is common with aging.
- Kids can not “grow out of” juvenile arthritis and there is no cure. (Some kids do experience complete remission.)
After joining JA groups and seeing what some of the other JA kids go through, I’ve realized that Pea’s JA is mild in comparison. The crying, restricted mobility, and swelling that she goes through is not nearly as severe as what others go through daily. Juvenile Arthritis is not just swelling of the joints. It comes with many other symptoms because it is an autoimmune disorder.
The Start of our Juvenile Arthritis Journey
How to choose the right pediatric doctors
The beginner’s guide to helping your child cope with chronic pain
I let my child make a medical decision and the nurse gave me crazy eyes
JA and the terrible threes
Silver Linings
A tip to get Toddlers and Preschoolers to easily take medications
