For more information on various forms of arthritis, juvenile and the grownup kind, go to the Arthritis Foundation website, at www.arthritis.org. For more on the Jingle Bell Run/Walk, go to www.arthritis.org/get-involved/jingle-bell-run-walk/
Abby Parker of Woodstock is like a lot of 8-year-olds. She plays sports and loves Legos. Abby is different from her classmates at Carmel Elementary School in one way. She has juvenile arthritis, which was diagnosed two years ago after her parents went to see a doctor because Abby walked on her toes.It turns out that the then-six-year-old was stoically compensating for a swollen left knee.
Following months of physical therapy and wearing orthotic leg braces, Abby is back to being like the other kids — with one other exception. She is being honored at the Arthritis Foundation’s fundraiser, the Jingle Bell Run/Walk, on Saturday at Centennial Olympic Park.
Last year, Abby and her team, Antlers for Abby, raised more than $3,500 for research to cure arthritis. This year, Abby’s team plans to surpass that amount.
Q: Are people surprised that you are so young and have arthritis?
A: No. There are 9,000 kids in Georgia with arthritis.
Q: The kind of arthritis you have — oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis — has a very long name. How does it affect you?
A: It hurts my joints, mostly in my hands, knees and sometimes my feet. It hurts all over my joints.
Q: What do you do to feel better?
A: I had one surgery on my knee. I take this pill. And I get a shot every week.
Q: It must be cool to have a mom who is a nurse?
A: She can help me and she gives good shots.
Q: Do you have brothers and sisters? Do they have arthritis?
A: I have two younger sisters. They don’t have arthritis. Just me.
Q: What does it mean to have arthritis?
A: It means sometimes my joints hurt and I have to stay home from school.
Q: Does having arthritis mean you can’t be active?
A: I do three sports — basketball, dance and swimming — so you can be active. I like basketball best, then swimming, then dance.
Q: How do your parents treat you?
A: Sometimes they treat me differently. They want to protect me. We do all the regular stuff.
Q: Do you feel different from other kids? Do your friends treat you differently?
A: No. I have a lot of friends. They treat me just like a regular kid.
Q: How are you going to participate in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk?
A: I am going to run most of it. When I get tired, I am going to walk.
Q: How did you raise all that money last year?
A: All of my friends and family sent money to my team.
Q: Why is it important to raise money?
A: When we raise money, it gets sent it to the Arthritis Foundation so they can make a cure for arthritis.
Q: Is it cool being an honoree at the Jingle Bell Run/Walk?
A: It is very cool. I get to be in the front of the race.
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