Hey! My name is Josie Fratarcangeli, and I am from Woodstock, Ontario. I was diagnosed with Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis when I was 4 years old. I am currently 17 years old – and have just “graduated” from London Health Science’s Pediatric Medical Day Unit (PMDU) where I got my monthly infusions of Remicade for the past 4 years! When I was 2 years old, my family noticed me limping, and soon enough it became evident that something was wrong after I refused to participate in gymnastics which I had previously loved. Most doctors believed that it was “just anxiety” and that I was seeking attention up until my diagnosis day.

School & Friends

Most of my teachers have been supportive of my limitations. I have received accommodations while in school, whether it be extended assignment periods or extended time to write a test. One of the most important things you must remember is to advocate for your needs. I would not have received this support without explaining to my teacher what my needs are.

I have always been comfortable telling my friends about my chronic illnesses because I know that real friends are always supportive. My best friend also has arthritis, and we talk about how sore we are, our pain, etc. I have another friend named Charlotte who has arthritis. I met these friends in elementary school – our school of 200-300 children had 3 students at one time with arthritis! My sister and I used to babysit Charlotte and her sister Riley after school, and we still do on occasion. Charlotte and I would get our infusions on the same day – and she even made my last one special by bringing video games and presents (featuring my “PMDU graduate” ribbon)!

Sports & Hobbies

Despite living with JIA, I have been physically active, participating in numerous sports including soccer, volleyball, dance, gymnastics, basketball, curling, and my current favourite, badminton. I love art, specifically drawing – I am good at portraits, and I drew one for my art class with the arthritis ribbon in my hair!

Transitioning to Adult Care

I am currently in the process of transitioning into an adult clinic where I will be continuing my Remicade Infusions. Over the next couple of months, I will learn how to manage my infusions and post-secondary studies, as I will be studying forensic anthropology at UofT! Growing up means gaining more responsibilities, and this includes learning to manage chronic illness on my own. Independently, I began:

– Signing into monthly doctor’s appointments,

– Ordering my medication, tracking my appointments, and

– Noting how I feel/when I experience pain.

I know that remembering to take medication is hard, as I have to take medication 30 minutes before I eat every day, so it is important to stick to a routine; find out what works best for you!

I hope you learned something to help you manage your arthritis, and thank you for reading about my journey so far!