Texas
Arthritis Foundation
2008 Dallas Hero
Morgan London
Meet Morgan, the 2008 Dallas Walk Hero! Morgan was diagnosed with JRA after six weeks of waiting and testing when she was two years old. It began in her right knee and was very noticeable when she was young. She woke up every morning crying...every morning for almost two years! Her mother, Tracie would pick her up and carry her to a warm bath until she was able to move her knee.
Following the doctor?s advice, she tried to stay active through swimming. But Morgan really wanted to dance. So at the age of two having just been diagnosed with arthritis, Morgan began her first creative movements dance class. Over the years, the arthritis advanced and other joint became involved, the left knee, both elbows, ankles, wrists, jaw. Through all of this, Morgan continued to dance. She stretched and danced almost everyday even if she had pain or discomfort.
Morgan in now 11, almost 12 and still dances with arthritis every day. She has missed classes due to flares, she has had to quit tap completely because of the pain, but continues to take as many dance classes as she can. She has performed with the Moscow Ballet int he Nutcracker two years, but was forced to drop out last year due to arthritis. Morgan has many obstacles, many years of not being like other kids, but his does not stop her. This year, she assists teaching ballet class for kindergartens and first graders in addition to taking ballet, jazz and modern dance.
