Bede’s Story
As an active kid, Bede was devastated when a juvenile arthritis diagnosis kept her from the activities she loves. Now, she’s learning to cope with her symptoms while keeping up with her classmates.
Bede is your average, active kid. She loves gymnastics, cross-country, squash, tennis and playing the piano. In early 2017, everything changed when pain sidelined her. She was eventually diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). By the time she was finally diagnosed, she had arthritis in almost every joint in her body and severe swelling due to a fluid build-up in her joints.
Once diagnosed with JIA, Bede’s doctors began the process of trying to make her better and finding a medicine that worked with her body. She received a monthly infusion that seemed to be help.
Bede’s swelling went down, and she was ecstatic about the success of her treatment. However, during one of many checkups, her doctors told her that while things were looking good, there was a 50 percent chance of a flare up in the future. A flare would result in another round of painful swelling and a major loss of movement. They also explained that these flares could happen every two to three years.
Bede loves being around her friends and is generally described as a major people person. Unfortunately, due to her arthritis symptoms, last year she had to stop attending school completely. While she has been able to remotely view her classes, it’s been very difficult for her to be away from her friends and classmates.
Once diagnosed with JIA, Bede’s doctors began the process of trying to make her better and finding a medicine that worked with her body. She received a monthly infusion that seemed to be help.
Bede’s swelling went down, and she was ecstatic about the success of her treatment. However, during one of many checkups, her doctors told her that while things were looking good, there was a 50 percent chance of a flare up in the future. A flare would result in another round of painful swelling and a major loss of movement. They also explained that these flares could happen every two to three years.
Bede loves being around her friends and is generally described as a major people person. Unfortunately, due to her arthritis symptoms, last year she had to stop attending school completely. While she has been able to remotely view her classes, it’s been very difficult for her to be away from her friends and classmates.