October 2024

Navigating Medical School: Alejandra’s First Year

By |October 26th, 2024|Advice, Blog, Post- Secondary, Saskatchewan, Stories, Work + Careers|

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 [...]

June 2023

Get to know our Youth Ambassador of of the Year, Alejandra Van Dusen

By |June 8th, 2023|Advocacy, Mental Health (For Youth), Post- Secondary, Stories, Teen Transitions|

“As a young adult with JIA I have experienced firsthand just how much goes on at this age. School, work, relationships, newfound independence, transition… I wanted to create resources with short pieces of patient-driven advice to help others like me navigate the constant changes of life with rheumatic disease.” [...]

Tough as Nails: A Father Reflects on his Two Daughters and Childhood Rheumatic Disease

By |June 5th, 2023|Advocacy, High School, JIA, Post- Secondary, Rare Disease, Stories, TMJ|

"We're very proud of our girls for showing the fortitude needed to not let these diseases define them." Hello families! My name is Mike Wiens, husband to Jesica and father to two girls, Vanessa 24 yrs old, and Sarah 23 yrs old. We're happy to call Port Moody, BC our home since relocating here [...]

March 2023

Honor Student. Elite Athlete. JIA Warrior.

By |March 22nd, 2023|High School, Injection, JIA, Medication, Movement, Pain Tips, Physical Activity, Post- Secondary, Stories, Teen Transitions|

"If you told me a few years ago that I would be pursuing my dream of playing post-secondary volleyball at Dalhousie University, I would have laughed out loud because at the time it seemed near to impossible." Meet Ella. In April of 2020, I was diagnosed with a rheumatic condition you are probably [...]

October 2021

Learning to Live with JIA

By |October 5th, 2021|Current Events, JIA, Newly Diagnosed, Post- Secondary, Saskatchewan, Stories, Teen Transitions|

Hello,  My name is Emma Linsley, and I am from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. When I was 15 years old, I was diagnosed with JIA. Along with needing to learn to manage the physical ailments of the disease, this diagnosis brought with it a complex set of other challenges that my support network and I would [...]

October 2020

Diagnosed. By Trish Peters

By |October 13th, 2020|Advice, Current Events, High School, Home Page, Newly Diagnosed, Post- Secondary, School Toolkit, Stories, Teen Transitions, Virtual Youth Panel, YLN|

Trish is an inspiring community leader and one who has already accomplished so much in her young life. Having completed her Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, she is now pursuing a Master's Degree in the Netherlands, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to her education and personal growth. Trish's unique life experiences have given her a diverse [...]

April 2018

Alison’s story: Navigating JIA mental health

By |April 16th, 2018|Family Day, Mental Health, Post- Secondary, Stories, YLN|

At Family Day 2016, Cassie and Friends volunteer Alison Legge gave a powerful speech about Juvenile Arthritis and the effect it has on mental health. This February, Alison underwent bilateral TMJ replacement surgery to ease the pain in her jaw, and is currently having a speedy recovery. She is now the chair of Cassie and Friends’ [...]

Go to Top