Michigan Chapter
Juvenile Arthritis
| For one magic August week, Michigan children with juvenile arthritis can put their health worries aside and join in on the friend-making and new experiences of a special summary adventure called Camp Dakota. Click here to learn more. |
 | The JA Action Newsletter presents information about programs and services of specific interest to families coping with arthritis or related disease. |
 | The Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter offers many opportunities for families to be involved in local programs and events! JAAW/Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Week, educational programs, or special events such as our Arthritis Walk, or the Jingle Bell Run are held throughout the year. |
 | The JA Aquatics program is a warm water exercise program designed specifically for children and teens with juvenile arthritis. The soothing warmth and buoyancy of the water in the JA Aquatics pools make it a safe, ideal environment for relieving arthritis pain and stiffness and improving the range of movement of joints affected by arthritis. Click here to find a location near you! |
 | The Parent-to-Parent Telephone Network links a parent of a child newly diagnosed with juvenile arthritis with another trained as a “parent coach” to provide support and encouragement. Parent coaches are parents who have been managing their child with arthritis for a period of time and who possess a compassionate and encouraging outlook on life with a child with chronic illness. |
 | In Michigan, there are five health system sites that have on staff a pediatric rheumatologist (someone who is trained in pediatrics and the subspecialty of pediatric rheumatology). Click here to learn more. |
 | "The Miracle League" is a charitable organization in Michigan that provides children with physical and/or developmental challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. They play on a custom-designed field made of a cushioned synthetic turf that accommodates wheelchairs and other walking-assistance devices, while helping prevent injuries. Visit the Miracle League. |
 | The Arthritis Foundation Pen Pal Program provides the opportunity for children with juvenile arthritis or a related condition to make a new friend and share feelings and experiences. Children sign up by filling out a questionnaire and are assigned a pen pal with similar interests. They might even get to write to a pen pal out of state! |
 | The American Juvenile Arthritis Organization (AJAO) is a council of the Arthritis Foundation that serves the special needs of children and youth with childhood rheumatic diseases and their families. The AJAO provides information and support through educational and social programs. Click here to see photos of Michigan families at the AJAO Conference. |
 | Speak Up for Arthritis! With so many causes out there seeking support, it is very important that children and families speak up and raise awareness that KIDS GET ARTHRITIS TOO!. Your legislators' job is to represent YOU and your issues. That's how he/she got elected. Now they need to hear from you about what's on your mind. We think that arthritis in children needs to be top-of-mind when it comes to health care issues. YOU CAN HELP US MAKE THAT HAPPEN. To see how, Click here. |
 | Arthritis Foundation, Michigan Chapter medical volunteers conduct “Kids Get Arthritis Too!” presentations for health care providers at Grand Rounds Programs in community hospitals throughout the state. Our Critical Elements of Care for Juvenile Arthritis (CEC) document outlines best practices for the diagnosis and management of juvenile arthritis. |
 | The Michigan Department of Community Health has provided support for the Michigan Juvenile Arthritis Initiative since 2001, leading to development and distribution of the Critical Elements of Care for Juvenile Arthritis (CEC) document, and providing Grand Rounds programs at community hospitals, an annual videoconference for rural health care providers, JA KiP information packets for parents of newly diagnosed children, and support for Parent-to-Parent training. Click here to view report. Children with arthritis and related diseases are eligible to be considered for financial assistance through MDCH Children’s Special Health Care Services. |
For more information on Juvenile Arthritis programs,
Please contact Juvenile Arthritis Initiative Project Coordinator,
MaryBeth Stano at the Arthritis Foundation,Michigan Chapter:
800-968-3030 ext. 222 or email at mbstano@arthritis-mi.org
