October 2023

Managing JA through Movement: How Ryan’s Gym Routine Helped Him to Build Physical (and Mental) Health and Lifted His Disease Management to the Next Level

By |October 3rd, 2023|Mental Health, Newly Diagnosed, Physical Activity, School Toolkit|

"Working out and going to the gym helped me regain my physical ability but also my confidence, energy and overall mental wellbeing." - Ryan Dekker, Young Adult Living with JA As someone who grew up with an active lifestyle (and plenty of energy), finding a way to stay active [...]

June 2023

Youth Story: My experience with JIA and finding Cassie + Friends

By |June 28th, 2023|B.C., Blog, Fundraising, JIA, Movement, Physical Activity, Stories, Vancouver|

"Throughout all of these experiences that I have had with Cassie + Friends, there is one throughline: Understanding. Understanding is a concept not to be underestimated." Meet Ciara. It was after after my body couldn’t row anymore, my hands couldn’t hold the pencil, my joints ached in pain, and after my diagnosis of [...]

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 2022

Physical Activity

By |October 27th, 2022|

Get Moving with JA! Physical activity is an important component of JA management - and one that often comes with many questions and concerns from families learning how to navigate their disease. One of the most important facts to know is that early detection, intervention and parent support are critical [...]

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June 2022

Jenna’s Story – Enthesitis related arthritis

By |June 20th, 2022|Advice, Blog, JIA, Medication, Physical Activity, Stories|

We have been asking youth with rheumatic disease to share their story! Sharing stories helps build community and connections. We hope that Jenna’s amazing story inspires you to share your own story.  My name is Jenna Kedy. I am 18 years old and live in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  As a child, I was often [...]

May 2022

Read Why I’m a Team C+F Youth Ambassador

By |May 16th, 2022|About JIA, Advice, JIA, Physical Activity, Resources, School, Stories|

In early 2022 we launched the Team Cassie + Friends Youth Ambassador program to support youth in raising awareness of JA and other rheumatic diseases within their school community. Soleil is one of our first Team C+F Youth Ambassadors! This month she will give a presentation to her entire school on Juvenile Arthritis and [...]

January 2021

Meet Mackenzie: JA Won’t Stop Me!

By |January 18th, 2021|Physical Activity, School, Stories|

Meet Mackenzie! Mackenzie Riddell is a 14 year old synchronized swimmer who was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis (JIA) when she was 3 years old. On Saturday, January 30th (4:30 pm PST/7:30 pm EST), she will be sharing her story and advice for staying active at the upcoming Physical Activity with Rheumatic Disease [...]

June 2020

Emerson’s Story: “ERA won’t take over my life”

By |June 24th, 2020|Physical Activity, Stories|

Shortly after his 13th birthday, Emerson started experiencing a lot of pain and stiffness in his hands, knees and wrists. After a few months of doctors appointments and a lot of questions, he was diagnosed with Enthesitis-Related Arthritis, a type of arthritis that involves swelling and inflammation of the connective tissue that attaches to [...]

September 2018

Reese’s Story: “I will never let JIA get in my way”

By |September 21st, 2018|Physical Activity, Scotiabank Charity Challenge|

Thirteen year old Reese from Whitby, Ontario was diagnosed with JIA at age two, but she has never let this get in the way of her athletic goals. Read her story of perseverance and strength below, and join Reese and her entire Aurora Panthers Bantam AA hockey team on October 21st as they lead Team [...]

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