Kristen’s Story
After battling juvenile arthritis for more than three years, Kristen has achieved remission. She’s returned to sports and other hobbies she didn’t think would be possible living while living with JA.
Kristen Trogu, Arthritis Warrior
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Throughout her childhood, there was never a time Kristen wasn’t playing sports. Whether it was through school or on travel teams, she was constantly active with her friends. However, that active lifestyle came to a halt in February 2012.
At age 15, as a sophomore in high school, Kristen went to travel volleyball practice one night and returned home with not one, but two swollen ankles. Doctors told her that it was a sports-related injury, but it wasn’t long before both of her arms had also doubled in size. Her regular pediatricians were at a loss. Kristen inevitably quit all sports she was involved in and lived with the pain of arthritis in her hand, wrists and ankles for months. After those weeks of confusion, anger, sadness and frustration, she finally received answers. Kristen was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at CS Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
After more than three years of medications and life changes, Kristen was lucky enough to achieve remission. During those years, she returned to sports and other hobbies she didn’t think would be possible living while living with JIA. Today, she has been in remission for almost four years, but that does not mean her fight is over. Although her personal battle has ended, she will continue to fight for and with her fellow Arthritis Warriors to raise funds and awareness toward finding a cure and conquering this disease once and for all.
At age 15, as a sophomore in high school, Kristen went to travel volleyball practice one night and returned home with not one, but two swollen ankles. Doctors told her that it was a sports-related injury, but it wasn’t long before both of her arms had also doubled in size. Her regular pediatricians were at a loss. Kristen inevitably quit all sports she was involved in and lived with the pain of arthritis in her hand, wrists and ankles for months. After those weeks of confusion, anger, sadness and frustration, she finally received answers. Kristen was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at CS Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
After more than three years of medications and life changes, Kristen was lucky enough to achieve remission. During those years, she returned to sports and other hobbies she didn’t think would be possible living while living with JIA. Today, she has been in remission for almost four years, but that does not mean her fight is over. Although her personal battle has ended, she will continue to fight for and with her fellow Arthritis Warriors to raise funds and awareness toward finding a cure and conquering this disease once and for all.