Texas
Arthritis Foundation
2008 East Texas Heroes
Mikayla Martin and Stephanie Mossier
Mikayla Martin:
I am in the sixth grade at my school and am on the "A" honor roll. When I was 9 years old I started having some bad pains in my hands. It didn't go away after a couple of days so my mom took me to the doctor. Because my aunt has Rheumatoid Arthritis, my doctor thought I should be tested just in case. The test came back positive and I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had to start seeing a special doctor to get help and he started me on medicine every day. After taking the medicine, I started getting better and I have been able to do everything other kids my age were doing. The cold sometimes made me hurt but other than that I was even able to play basketball. In May of 2007, the week before the Arthritis Walk, I got great news from my doctor. He said I was in remission and I could stop taking my medicine. Since that time, I have been doing very well. I try to take good care of my body and I still have to see my doctor regularly. With fundraisers like the Arthritis Walk, we can raise money to help fight this disease so that someday children and adults with arthritis may be pain free.
Stephanie Mossier:
Hi, my name is Stephanie Mosier. I am a 34 year old wife and the mother of two boys. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis a little over 6 years ago. I am sure I had it for longer than that I just never had a bad flare up like I did when I finally found out what was wrong with me. I can remember the pain and swelling and even brusiing I had back then. All of which made me not able to get out of bed for a few weeks. Even after I was able to get out of bed I was not well for over a year. I was then put on a treatment called Remicade. An IV therapy for RA and Chrone's Disease. This treatment totally changed my life. I was able to care properly for my family once again. I did not feel as though life was passing me by but felt as though I was ready to take life on. I made up my mind at that time to fight to raise awareness and money for research and better medicines for others like myself. I really hope that each year others will join the fight too! It is so worth it!
