Zachary’s Story
Zach was doing so well that his rheumatologist believed he was on the path to medical remission. Just when he thought he was in the clear, Zach was back to being stiff and swollen.
Zachary’s journey with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) has been full of peaks and valleys since his diagnosis in August 2017 when was just 4 years old. Just this past October, he was doing so well that his rheumatologist told his family he was on the path to medical remission. Just when they thought they were in the clear, Zach was back to being stiff and swollen. Another visit to the rheumatologist gave him the news that not only was he having a flare-up, but his arthritis had also spread to his neck.
His parents were heartbroken. “We felt defeated because he was doing so well,” says Zach’s mom, Laura. “But sometimes, that’s just how it goes with this disease – one step forward, two steps back.”
A few months ago, Zach was happily running around. He’s still happy and running, albeit at a much slower and stiffer pace. His family helps him find relief by massaging his achy joints and running extra warm showers when he’s in pain.
“Right now, we are in a valley with Zach,” says Laura. “It’s the biggest one we’ve faced so far, but I am hopeful we will peak again. I want to be able to look back at this time and marvel at how far he’s come and how much stronger he is. I am confident we will get there. In the meantime, we will continue to take it day by day.”
His parents were heartbroken. “We felt defeated because he was doing so well,” says Zach’s mom, Laura. “But sometimes, that’s just how it goes with this disease – one step forward, two steps back.”
A few months ago, Zach was happily running around. He’s still happy and running, albeit at a much slower and stiffer pace. His family helps him find relief by massaging his achy joints and running extra warm showers when he’s in pain.
“Right now, we are in a valley with Zach,” says Laura. “It’s the biggest one we’ve faced so far, but I am hopeful we will peak again. I want to be able to look back at this time and marvel at how far he’s come and how much stronger he is. I am confident we will get there. In the meantime, we will continue to take it day by day.”