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Arthritis Walk Honorees
2013 National Adult Honoree
Mikayla Minnig
Age 13
2013 National Adult Honoree
Susan Au
Age 39
National Arthritis Walk Honorees
2013 National Youth Honoree
Mikayla Minnig, Age 13
Mikayla is not a new face or name to many of you – she and her family have been participating in Arthritis , advocacy, JA Conference and multiple other Foundation activities for a number of years. Her Arthritis Walk team, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” is one of the original teams in Orange County, CA. Mikayla was diagnosed 10 years ago with JA but she hasn’t let her disease affect her life. Mikayla cheers, participates in pageants, and visits community groups to give presentations on and fundraises while doing so! An outspoken volunteer at age 13, Mikayla demonstrates an amazing understanding of her disease and doesn’t hesitate to share her story with others to further the mission. We are very excited to have Mikayla represent children with JA across the country.
2013 National Adult Honoree
Susan Au, Age 39
Susan is not a new volunteer to the Foundation and has been participating with her Fort Worth, TX office for the last five years. Diagnosed eight years ago with RA, Susan had to make major adjustments to her very active lifestyle, which up to that point had included ultra racing and high impact sports. In an attempt to become pregnant, Susan went off her medication for two years, which led to her hip needing to be replaced. By that point Susan had given up hope on being a mom, but the day she went in to meet her surgeon she was told that her blood work showed she was pregnant. Susan delivered a healthy baby boy nine months later, and three months later had her hip replacement surgery. Susan has served on both Arthritis Walk and Jingle Bell Run/Walk committees and has a team since the first Arthritis Walk Tarrant County. Susan’s story will resonate with so many and we can’t wait to share it!
