“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 familiar with: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). I was 15. This diagnosis would forever change the way I looked at life. It was a relief to finally be provided with an explanation for the challenges I had been facing growing up. My medical team at the Children’s Clinic at Health Science Center Winnipeg developed a treatment plan that initially involved weekly self-injections to manage pain and stiffness. They were one of the hardest parts of my JIA journey due to the constantly occurring negative side effects.

It took time to find a medication that managed my symptoms and that I tolerated well. Adapting to a different lifestyle, including medications with exhausting side effects, and struggling with joint stiffness and swelling, taught me to be forever grateful for what I have and the people who have been supporting me throughout my journey. The barriers I had to overcome along the way were not the easiest, but they have helped me become stronger and shaped me into the person I am today.

Prior to my diagnosis, I was struggling with numerous injuries that doctors could not explain. This was frustrating and mentally exhausting because I knew in my gut something was wrong. It was difficult taking notes in school and trying to maintain focus while I experienced symptoms and side effects. Strong academics are important to me so I worked hard to achieve a high GPA maintaining a 92% average throughout high school.

Another important part of my identity is being an elite athlete in the sport of volleyball. JIA was constantly affecting me and altering my way of life which gave me a lingering fear of not being able to continue developing as an athlete. After my diagnosis, dealing with my condition was a challenge and was extremely hard on my body, both mentally and physically but as each day passed, whether I noticed it or not, my struggles and worries began to fade. I chose to not let it define me and impact my goals of playing post-secondary volleyball. Each hospital visit, MRI scan, and blood test gave me a new reason to take care of my body to the best of my abilities. By trial and error, I had to learn the most beneficial way to manage my condition. That included taking extra time with volleyball warmups, doing home workouts and stretching, massage therapy, and providing my body with enough nutrients through food, which at times felt exhausting to keep up with. In the end, it would all be worth it and what felt like a difficult obstacle three years ago is now my new normal.

Being able to say I have overcome the challenges of my condition is something I take pride in, especially when it comes to continuing to excel in volleyball and completing high school with an A+ average. 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 to me. Now I am looking forward to attending Dalhousie in September 2023 and playing for the Rams. JIA has taught me about resilience, about the importance of listening to your body and adapting activities to best manage staying healthy. I won’t let JIA stop me – instead I have chosen to use it as a source of empowerment so I can be the best version of myself. Don’t let JIA get in the way of your dreams. I have learned that although JIA is a part of my life, it does not define me – I define my journey.