Texas
Arthritis Foundation
2008 Lubbock Hero
Harmony and Kiki Thrash
Harmony Thrash (Age 5) & Kiki Thrash (age 8)
Kiki was diagnosed with JRA at age 2. Soon after birth, she started showing signs of developmental delays. She was originally diagnosed as CP but at 18 months the Drs. said there were no signs of delay and the original diagnosis was wrong. Kiki thrived for the next 8 months and then began having pain in her hips and back and had a very pronounced limp. After ultrasounds, XRays, blood work, and a 3 phase Full body bone scan, she was diagnosed as having JRA. She was on Methotrexate for over 5 years but due to the severe side effects and the drug not having a positive impact on her disease, we switched her to Enbrel. I now inject her with the drug 2 times a week. Kiki used to love playing soccer but due to the severity of her disease, she is no longer able to play. Kiki took up golf about a year ago. Swimming is the best exercise for her and she is a Tinkerbell nut. Harmony was showing similar developmental delays as Kiki but due to the information we received from Kiki's Drs, we immediately began testing for JRA. Harmony was diagnosed at age 3 with JRA. Her disease is currently being treated by Naprysyn. She enjoys swimming and anything Elmo. She even named her new puppy Elmo. Both girls love school and are very vocal about their struggle with JRA. We travel over 350 miles each way to see a Pediatric Rhuematologist every 2-3 months. It is a really long trip, but due to the lack of Ped. Rhue. that is the closest specialist to our area. Kiki and Harmony have 2 other sisters. Reagan, who is 9 and Maya, who is 6. All 4 girls are very close and they support each others struggles.
