2009 Adult Honoree

Lori Knapp - 2009 Adult Honoree

The Arthritis Foundation Western Pennsylvania Chapter is proud to announce Lori Knapp as the 2009 WPA Arthritis Walk adult honoree. Lori was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in February 2007 and describes the time since her diagnosis as an emotional whirlwind.

“From the first time when I received the news until now, there have been many sad, happy, important, and insignificant issues that brought me to this point in time,” Lori said. “I have, for the most part, been embarrassed and angry to admit that this disease actually resides in my body; other than for the constant aches and pains of which my body reminds me.  I have always been a strong person, but RA has the ability to take everything out of you.  One minute you are fine and the next two hours you are in bed wondering, what the heck happened to me?”

But Lori has worked very hard to turn her condition into a positive. She recently became an Arthritis Foundation Ambassador and attended the Arthritis Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C. on March 3 and 4. At the Summit, Lori met with Congressional representatives and other people affected by arthritis.

“My family and I attended that Summit on March 3 and 4 in Washington, D.C. and what a big deal that was for me!” Lori said, “I was able to get out and meet people suffering like me, talk about our common problems and even learn a lot more about arthritis in general.  I could not believe that 1 in 5 Americans and 1 in 3 Pennsylvanians have some form of arthritis.  Even kids can get arthritis.  This is a horrible disease that knows no boundaries; it does not matter your age, race or religion.  It will strike whenever it pleases.  But just knowing and seeing that I was not alone was a turning point for me.”

Lori is a testament that one person truly can make a difference! Click here to read a blog post by Lori.