Zachary lived with the pain of arthritis for nine months and the symptoms of chronic disease for 19 months before finally being diagnosed with Systemic Onset Juvenile Arthritis at the age of 3 ½. At the time of diagnosis, we had no idea how extensive the impact of arthritis would be on our lives.
Zachary has been through more pain and procedures in his short life than I would wish on anyone in a whole life. As a family, we adapt our lives and activities based on the severity of Zachary’s arthritic flares. At times he can be just like any other five-year-old, active, energetic and full of life. Unfortunately, there has been far too much time where his life was full of pain and at times even a hug was unbearable.
Zachary has been on many different medications in the past 2 ½ years which have had extensive side effects. The most obvious side effect has been the impact the disease and drugs have had on his growth. At almost 6, Zachary often gets confused as the twin to his 3 ½ year-old brother. His current medication regime includes a daily trip to the hospital for a “poke”. Despite the fact that he knows that the medicine in the injections is making him feel better, it doesn’t make it any easier to receive the painful poke each day.
Our wish is to find a cure and put an end to the pain of arthritis for Zachary and all the other children who suffer from rheumatic diseases like juvenile arthritis.
