“I soon began to experience extreme pain in my wrists, which would cause challenges for me whenever I would be at school or would work on school assignments.”

My name is Jessica Gill. I am from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis at the age of eight years old at the rheumatology clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The diagnosis took place as a result of severe pain I was experiencing in my hips when I was eight years old, for which we visited the Hospital for Sick Children. I was being treated by physicians working in the orthopedic surgery department, who found that I should be treated in the rheumatology clinic as a result of the symptoms I was experiencing and the condition in which I was.

During our appointments with the rheumatologist, we learned that this pain was caused by arthritis. The medication treatment began with naproxen in liquid form, as a result of me not being able to swallow tablets and capsules at that time. We found a difference in my condition until flare-ups began occurring again. As a result of this we then began using methotrexate in the oral form, which would assist with the pain I would experience, however, it would cause nausea which resulted in my stomach no longer being able to accept the medication. Following all of this, my rheumatologist decided to eliminate the methotrexate, after which I soon began to experience extreme pain in my wrists, which would cause challenges for me whenever I would be at school or would work on school assignments.

My rheumatologist then decided that it would be best if another injection would be administered to my wrist, to view a difference in my condition. My condition improved by a bit following the second injection, however, this was only a temporary relief, which resulted in my rheumatologist then deciding for us to switch over to biological medication. The medication I began using and am currently on is Enbrel, in the form of a weekly injection. In my perspective, I would say that this medication has produced results in which I am experiencing little to no pain. In regards to my experience with the administration of the medication weekly through an injection, I believe that I found it a bit difficult in the beginning, however, gradually became used to it. 

Furthermore, as a result of the pain I would experience in different joints, the activities I would perform daily at home as well as at school were all impacted. However, I have constantly received all of the support and assistance which I required from my parents and elder sister at home, as well as from my educators at school. With respect to the support, I have received at school, my parents have always informed my educators regarding my medical condition, and they have ensured that I can present my work using various formats which are further accessible to me (such as completing writing assignments using online platforms and using voice dictation). Adding to this point, my physical education teachers have been understanding regarding the limitations I would experience when participating in physical activities, and would permit me to take a short break throughout the activity to not cause additional stress on my joints.

On the grand scale, I have found my educators being patient with me and showing their understanding of my condition and when I would experience extreme flare-ups. Overall, I have learned quite a bit about myself, my strengths, and my weaknesses throughout my journey with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. I am quite grateful to have such affectionate, supportive, and motivational individuals such as my parents, elder sister, educators, physicians as well as occupational therapists who have always tried to ensure that my medical condition does not stop me from reaching my full potential in all aspects.