Juvenile Arthritis
Welcome to the Arthritis Foundation, Georgia Chapter's
Juvenile Arthritis Programs!
The Georgia Chapter offers educational and support programs throughout the year for children, teens and families with arthritis or a related disease.
Family Education Day
Held each Fall, Family Education Day offers parents and children alike the chance to meet new friends and learn about arthritis and the issue surrounding it. In 2008, Family Education included a yoga demonstration, a ventriloquist act and a live animal presentation for the children while parents and adults attended educational sessions that included a general question and answer session with a pediatric rheumatologist. There were also information sessions with medical experts on pharmaceuticals and juvenile arthritis and the eyes.
SAK (Supporting Arthritis Kids) Program
More than 9,200 children in
Now, when a child is diagnosed with JA, they will be given one of two special age-appropriate bags -- backpack or shoulder strap -- full of information and tools to help them and their families deal with their diagnosis. The SAK is designed to provide information to children and their parents and to offer some comfort to children, many who experience daily pain from arthritis. Each SAK includes a special soft item -- teddy bear or herbal heat wrap -- that can be heated in the microwave and placed on a swollen or painful joint to ease pain. Because many children find it painful to hold regular pen and pencils, the SAK also includes cushioned pencil grips. Sunscreen is also included in the SAK because many arthritis medications make children extra sensitive to the sun.
The younger child's SAK includes a book about being a child with arthritis, and both SAKs include the book, Raising a Child with Arthritis for parental use. Also included are Arthritis Foundation brochures and news on upcoming children's programs.
