Meet the Youth Chairs

Alyssa Kondash - Mercer County Walk

“Nobody expects it,” claims Alyssa Kondash of Hamilton, NJ when asked about her first reactions to being diagnosed with arthritis. Alyssa, age 11, is the current Youth Chair for the Mercer County Arthritis Walk.

Alyssa was formally diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis when she was six. This condition affects her lower back, spine, wrists, and ankles and causes much pain and inflammation in these areas. Alyssa’s mom Ann Marie comments, “At first they said it was growing pains, but when we would take her out and she would constantly ask to be carried because her legs hurt, we knew it was a lot more than that.”

Alyssa still feels that living with arthritis has not made her life any different than any other 11 year old girl. In her spare time she enjoys seeing her close friends and taking up various forms of dance. When she is older she aspires to become a professional dancer.

“I want to do something to help find a cure,” continues Alyssa, “I want to inform everyone that kids get arthritis too and we need to stand up and fight it!

Cynthia Brown - Raritan Bay Waterfront Park

 “I had no idea what it meant back then,” explains Middlesex County Arthritis Walk Youth Chair Cynthia Brown of Woodbridge, NJ, “I came home from preschool and my mom was washing my knees after being outside on the playground. She noticed that my right knee was swollen”.

Cynthia was diagnosed with arthritis in her knee at the age of four. Complications from her condition have also lead to the development of glaucoma in her eyes. “When I was younger I had five eye surgeries to keep the glaucoma under control, but still I have learned that I can’t let it affect me.” It is Cynthia’s spunk and love of life that lifts the spirits of anyone that comes in contact with her. Currently she is 12 years old and in the 7th grade. In her free time she enjoys reading, swimming, ice skating, and art; and hopes to one day become a professional artist or writer. As chair of this year’s Middlesex County walk, Cynthia is extremely excited and is looking forward to cutting the ribbon at the beginning of the walk. “I feel that now I am in on all the meetings and to be a part of it is really cool.”

Overall, Cynthia hopes that she can help get the word out that kids can get arthritis too. “You have to be aware that there are people out there to help you. Don’t get discouraged. Some people with arthritis might feel that they are doomed or alone and that is not true! It is a really serious problem, but there is still hope!”

Hannah Teitelbaum - Point Pleasant

“It’s frustrating,” claims ten-year-old Hannah when asked about how she views her life with arthritis. Hannah was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the young age of 17 months. “I still do a lot of stuff!,” says Hannah, who enjoys drawing, sculpting, and being a member of her school’s choir. “I also really like studying science in school because I love animals,” she continues. “I’m also a huge Giants and Yankees fan!,” she adds.

“Even though you have arthritis, you can still do the things you want to do.” Hannah’s mom, Sue, could not agree more. “Children with the condition may need extra help, but they can do anything they want to do,” says Sue. “Educators need to be informed and aware that children can get arthritis. Parents also need to know that their children have rights as students,” she continues.

Hannah found out about the Arthritis Foundation through another family already who were already involved with the Chapter and now she is ready to be this year’s Youth Chair. “I’m really excited,” says Hannah, who hopes to spread awareness by being youth chair. “I want to get the word out that kids with arthritis can still be active and live normal lives. Arthritis should not slow anyone down and people with the condition still need an opportunity to be active.” Hannah hopes that in the future enough awareness can be made to one day find a cure. Until then, “It’s something I’m used too, something I live with everyday.”

Jeffery Fischetti - Bergen County Community College

 “Life is different sometimes. It is different when it hurts.” Those are the words of 10-year-old Jeff Fischetti of Aberdeen, NJ. As youth chair of this year’s Bergen County Arthritis Walk, Jeff has the opportunity to speak out on his life with arthritis. “I don’t want others to experience it. I want to find a cure.”

At the age of seven, Jeff was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. Despite his condition, Jeff is still determined to not let it put a damper on his life. As a fifth grader, Jeff is athletic and participates in baseball and karate. Jeff claims that no matter what is put in front of him he still is able to overcome it. “Don’t let a disease stop your dreams. Always follow your dreams,” says Jeff who aspires to be a pro-athlete in the future.

In his efforts to raise awareness about arthritis, Jeff has spoken in Washington, D.C. along with other children asking congressmen to join them in the fight against arthritis by passing the recent arthritis bill. Jeff has also taken measures back to his hometown, where he plans on speaking to his student council about starting an arthritis advocacy program. “Sometimes I have to sit down because my legs hurt, but I still go for it and I’m really excited and honored to be a youth chair so I can get other people to join the cause.”

Parents, Amy and Jeff Sr., could not be more proud of Jeff and his outlook on life. “We are proud of how he handles his disease. It’s not an easy thing. People just don’t understand with a disease you can’t really see.” All feel it is important to educate people about arthritis and to create awareness that children can get arthritis too. “I want to be a spokesperson,” says Jeff, “I want to tell other kids that arthritis does not stop me so it should not stop them.”

Lauren Beier - Verona Park

17 year old Lauren Beier of Caldwell, NJ is no stranger to the arthritis cause. Since the 6th grade the 2008 Essex County Youth Chair as been speaking out on arthritis in efforts to raise awareness. Lauren is also no stranger to the foundation and chapter.

At the age of three Lauren was diagnosed with Polly-JRA. “We didn’t really know what it was at first. As a little kid I didn’t know what was going on.” According to Lauren, growing up with Arthritis was far from easy. “Sometimes I was depressed growing up. Kids are cruel at times. They are not like they used to be.” Ever since then Lauren and her family have learned more about the disease and began to share their knowledge with the rest of the community. Now in her senior year of high school Lauren is looking towards the future. She plans on attending William Patterson University where she will take up nursing. On top of school and friends Lauren also manages to hold a part time job.

“I would like to be like any other senior in high school and go out and party, but sometimes I just can’t. Still, I try not to let it hold me back anymore. Now I feel like I have a voice and I want to tell other kids not to give up. You need to keep pushing if you want to see any advances.” Lauren’s spirit and outlook on life is what keeps her grounded and helps her stay focused. “Life does not have to be different. People have to realize that there is help out there if they need it. This is a big problem and we can and will conquer it.”

Lauren Slattery - Atlantic City

“I am really excited. I really like it!,” is all Lauren Slattery of Eggharbor, NJ could put into words about how she feels about being selected as the Youth Chair for the Atlantic County Arthritis Walk. Lauren is thrilled that she will serve as a spokesperson for the disease and have the amazing opportunity to share her story with the rest of the community.

At the age of three, Lauren was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ever since then it has been a “long battle,” according to her father, Jim, who points out that in spite of living with the condition for nine years now, Lauren manages to exceed everyone’s expectations. “We are blessed to have a daughter with as much energy and determination as Lauren has.” As a 6th grader, Lauren is already a member of the JV basketball team at her school. She also finds time to play shortstop in softball as well as surf, which has always been a passion of hers. When asked about her life in comparison to others’ Lauren remarks, “It could be different; a lot of people cannot do what I do.”

Her activeness in life is contributed to her philosophy that, “I want others to benefit. I am an example of what arthritis research can do.” Lauren also believes that education and awareness are the keys to fighting the battle with arthritis. As a youth chair, she now feels that she is given the chance to let the world know about arthritis. “I want to tell people don’t give up, never give up, you can do anything!”

Victoria Munro - Morris/Sussex/Warren

“Sometimes it’s hard to explain. People don’t understand that kids can get arthritis too.” Those are the words of 9 year old Victoria Munro of Sparta, NJ. This year, Victoria is the Youth Chair for the Arthritis Walk in Morris/Sussex/Warren County. With this prestige, she is more than excited to speak out about her life with arthritis.

Mom, Valerie, explains, “She has taken so much initiative in speaking out for the cause. We could not be more proud.” Her parents have ample reasons to be proud. This past February Victoria joined forces with other kids with arthritis and traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak out about current arthritis legislation.

Valerie continues, “We are so thankful for the Arthritis Foundation and the opportunities like this that it provides.” At only 2 ½ Victoria was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. “It’s painful at times,” states Victoria. “I sometimes have to sit out in gym because it hurts too much.” Despite her condition, Victoria still manages to be like every other 9 year old. She enjoys having tea parties with her friends and loves studying science in school. When she is older, she would like to be a doctor.

“I am excited to be youth chair. I think many people don’t know about arthritis, and for the people that do know, I want to tell them just to be brave.”

Rachel Jandak - Field of Dreams

“At first I thought it was just a disease for the elderly. I was in disbelief.” That reaction is from 12 year old Union County youth chair, Rachel Jandak of Bridgewater, when she was first informed that she had arthritis. At the age of nine, Rachel was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Still, Rachel does not allow her condition to be a roadblock to success. As an enthusiastic 7th grader, Rachel enjoys fencing, drawing, surfing the internet on her computer, and spending time with friends. Rachel loves writing as well, especially poetry, and aspires to become a writer or novelist when she grows up.

“I’m really excited to be chair, but I’m nervous to make a speech!” explains Rachel. Overall though, Rachel is ready to be the face of arthritis for her community. She is no stranger to the organization, as she has attended Camp CHAT over the summer. ”Now I learned that kids like me have it too and I accept it now. I want to tell people not to be afraid because you are obviously not alone.”

Rachel feels that even with arthritis she can still do anything and everything she wants to do. Mainly this attitude can be attributed to the support she gets from family and friends. “I think most people are understanding when you explain it them. My friends and family are always there to support me all the time. They know I’m not any different. They know I’m just Rachel.”

Lacie Porch - Challenge Grove Park

 “My favorite movie is Happy Feet,” claims exuberant Lacie Porch, who diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at only 18 months.

Lacie is currently in the second grade and has recently become a Brownie Girl Scout. When she grows up she hopes to be a teacher for first or second grade students. Lacie enjoys learning Spanish in school and loves to jump around on her trampoline in her backyard.

“I don’t stop her,” claims Lacie’s mom, Michelle. “I don’t baby her either. She can still do what she wants to do. A lot of people don’t know that kids can get arthritis. It’s hard to deal with it, but we try to make the best of it. Lacie lives with her disease as best as she can and most of the times you don’t even know she has it!,” she adds.

“I am thrilled to be this year’s youth chair,” says Lacie, who is excited to be spotlighted and serve as a voice for the fight against arthritis. “I don’t think my life is different,” continues Lacie, “I still go out and play when I want to.” Lacie’s determination in life serves to further her point that arthritis should not stop you. “I want to help other kids. I want to teach them that it is okay.”