Editor’s Note Daniela is an 18-year-old youth living with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. In this piece, she shares her journey to diagnosis, the realities of growing up with a chronic illness, and how her experiences have shaped her passion for advocacy and helping others navigating childhood-onset rheumatic disease. [...]
Navigating Morphea – Michelle’s Story For most of my life, I’ve had Morphea. Starting as a red mark on my chin as a young child, it eventually turned darker and over the years, spread to areas on my forehead, and neck. Morphea, also known as localized Scleroderma, is [...]
Living with JIA – Lisa’s Journey It started out as sharp pain in my hips which I believed to be a pulled muscle; however, it soon progressed into a severe pain and stiffness. Days passed as I used crutches to simply walk around, and I remember that any [...]
Growing up with JDM - Layla’s experience My experience with the healthcare system started earlier than most. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM), a rare autoimmune disease that affects the muscles and skin, and since then, the Montreal Children’s Hospital has been a constant part of my life, [...]
From Patient to Pediatric Rheumatologist: Dr. Molly Dushnicky Dr. Molly Dushnicky’s story sounds like a lot of her patients’: When she was just 18 months old, she stopped walking, her knees wouldn’t bend easily, and she wasn’t her usual happy self. That’s when she was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis [...]
A Guide to Accommodations Acceptance, Peer Pressure, and Fear We’re honoured to share this piece by Kayla Caddy, a young adult living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) who works as a job coach for people on the autism spectrum. Drawing on her lived experience and professional expertise, Kayla shares with us [...]
The holiday season has always been one of my favourite times of the year—twinkling lights, family gatherings, and cozy nights by the fire. But since Charlie’s Juvenile Arthritis (JIA) diagnosis, we’ve learned that winter holidays come with their own set of challenges for our family. From chilly weather that can worsen joint pain [...]
Navigating Medical School: Alejandra's First Year Our Youth Mentor, Alejandra, reflects on her experience in medical school and shares what it’s been like as she navigates her first year. Many youth with chronic illnesses, like JIA, often aspire to be doctors or other healthcare providers, as they are inspired by their own [...]
Alison Legge: Navigating the workplace with a rheumatic disease, Part 2 Earlier this year, we heard from Alison, who shared her story about navigating the workplace with a rheumatic disease. Now in her new role, Alison shared an update with us about her journey, and how what she has been through over the [...]
9 Tips for Homeschooling Your Child with JIA One of the many impacts of COVID was a surge in homeschooling, not just during the pandemic but well after. This back-to-school season, we’re pleased to share some tips from JIA parent, Kathleen Bailey, who has homeschooled her children for many years and has a [...]
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