Advertisement That continued to happen almost every day. After many doctor visits and numerous tests, Michaela was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis about 18 months later.
The 11-year-old Trempealeau, Wis., girl has had arthritis since age 5. Her arthritis has since spread to her ankles and wrists.
Michaela is one of 4,500 children in Wisconsin with arthritis. About 300,000 children in the United States have some form of arthritis or rheumatic disease, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Another 8.4 million adults between the ages of 18 and 44 also have arthritis and millions of others are at risk for developing it.
Michaela is this year’s La Crosse Arthritis Walk honoree. She will be walking Saturday in the Arthritis Walk, which begins at 11 a.m. at Riverside Park. Her family has organized a team to walk and raise money for research.
Her mother, Karen, said most people don’t realize arthritis can affect children.
“Michaela doesn’t know anyone close to her age with it, so we’re hoping to meet several children at the walk,” Karen said. “That way she won’t feel she is alone, or the only one with it.”
Karen also said many people don’t understand how the condition affects Michaela and others.
“She can never remember a day not being sick or sore.” Karen said.
But Michaela lives life as a normal child, Karen said. Although she cannot do everything her classmates can, she still stays active, Karen added. Michaela has been involved in Girl Scouts for the past three years, and she has participated in recreational basketball, poms/cheerleading and baton twirling.
“I think I do pretty well,” Michaela said. “Sometimes it’s frustrating that I’m not as fast as others. But my classmates understand.
“Sometimes I get stiff in my knees and ankles, and especially my wrists,” she said. “Sometimes, it’s hard to write in school.”
Karen said stiffness in Michaela’s knees prevents her from competing in softball and basketball. At times, Michaela has trouble with her gait, and then she limps.
“She does well, and it doesn’t really limit her,” Karen said. “ It could be worse, but it will never go away. It’s there for life.”
Michaela has missed school from time to time due to numerous doctor appointments and therapy sessions. But Karen said she does a great job of keeping up with her school work. She loved pool therapy as part of her early treatment, and still enjoys being in a swimming pool, Karen said.
She has been on several medications daily and has to have her eyes dilated every three months to check for glaucoma, which can be a side effect of the medicine. She is now taking three medications.
Michaela has two brothers and one sister, and she is the youngest in her family. Genetic factors are thought to play a major role in rheumatoid arthritis.
Karen herself has had rheumatoid arthritis since she was a child. Her other children don’t have the condition, but other family members have had it.
She said her arthritis has mostly affected her knees.
“The condition has stayed about the same for me, but has progressed faster for Michaela,” Karen said. “She has always been a real trooper and never complains that she hurts. I don’t think she can remember a time when it didn’t hurt.”
Karen said Michaela’s physical education teachers have even remarked that she just keeps going even though she is usually the last one to finish a particular activity in class.
“It doesn’t seem to bother her, she just keeps trucking along and gives it her best shot,” Karen said. “She challenges herself to do better and better each time.”
If you go
WHAT: Arthritis Foundation Walk.
WHEN: Saturday, May 20, starting at 11 a.m., featuring 1-mile and 5k walks. Also health information, food, beverages, activities for kids, music and a raffle.
WHERE: Riverside Park, La Crosse.
ENTRY FEE: None, but people who raise $100 or more in pledges will receive the commemorative Arthritis Walk T-shirt.
CONTACT: Call the Arthritis Foundation at (608) 221-9800 or e-mail grohrer@arthritis.org.
Terry Rindfleisch can be reached at (608) 791-8227 or trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com.
