Greetings! We wanted to let you know that “Team Black” is going to be participating in the Walk to Cure Arthritis in Grand Rapids this year. This team is currently made up of Melissa (the mom), Sean (1st grader), and Katherine (Kindergartner). The walk is on May 6th and we are looking for people to help. If anyone would like to join Team Black for the walk you are more than welcome. We would appreciate any and all donations to help us raise funds to help find a cure for arthritis.
It is easy to donate on-line. The links to our fundraising pages are:
Sean’s page: https://events.arthriti
This is a cause that is very important to our family as my son, Sean, was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at 5 years old. Here is our story…
Sean and our family began our journey with arthritis 2 years ago now. Sean has a form of Juvenile Arthritis called polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). This means that more than five joints were affected within the first six months of diagnosis. Before we found a medication plan that is working to control his symptoms, his knees, ankles, toes, wrists, and fingers were all significantly affected by arthritis. It is very hard to see your 5 year old child not able to stand on his own in the morning, not able to ride his bike, or to take a walk around the block w/o significant pain. Sean’s JIA is currently in remission on medication. That has also been a journey of different options. He is currently on two injections that are controlling the symptoms. Friday is now Sean’s least favorite day of the week, because it is “shot night.” Working through giving these injections myself and working with Sean to be able to do them with minimal upset has been a hard journey. Sean IS an Arthritis Warrior and has dealt with the pain and stiffness of the arthritis, the multiple and varied medication options, physical therapy to help him get back his joint and muscle flexibility and motion, and all the extra doctor’s appointments that have come along with this diagnosis.
Arthritis affects more than 50 million Americans, including 300,000 children. The Walk to Cure Arthritis is the largest gathering of the arthritis community in the world, raising funds for research, resources, better treatments and a cure. More than just a walk event, it’s something even bigger than arthritis itself. I have joined the movement to improve the lives of arthritis warriors, will you be the ONE to step up and help me?
Thank you for your consideration in making a donation. If you know anyone else who works with Sean and Katherine who would be interested in joining our team or making a donation, please pass this information along.
Melissa Black
