I was diagnosed for the first time in 2009 at the age of 15. I was at water polo practice in high school when my knee felt very swollen and sore. I got out of the pool and noticed it was three times it’s normal size. At first, we thought it was a sport injury, but after a ton of testing we found out it was Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Since then I’ve had two arthroscopic knee surgeries, 16 cortisone shots and my knee has been drained 14 times. I’ve been on multiple steroid packs, Plaquenil (which made me break out into hives), Methotrexate, and now Enbrel Mini Injections. It’s been ten years and I am now in the best shape I’ve been in since I got diagnosed! I created an Instagram account dedicated to bringing awareness on young adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Through that, I’ve connected with so many young people going through the exact thing I’ve been silently battling for years. I began my fitness journey in January 2019 and I am surprised everyday at how much I can do!
Dealing with RA has been and will continue to be a rough battle, but with the love
from my friends and family I will fight through it!