A walking example

[Guest guest]

A walking example

http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_138010057?keyword=topstory

For Terry Munkres, Saturday's Arthritis Walk is more than just an event.

It's a chance to give something back.

Five years ago, Munkres' daughter, Kayla, was diagnosed with juvenile

rheumatoid arthritis. Today, Kayla is healthy, leads the active life of a

9-year-old, and her disease is under control.

Thanks, Munkres says, in part to the Arthritis Foundation.

" I tell people we support the Arthritis Foundation like they are supporting

our child. It's because of their research, that we have the ability to

control Kayla's disease. "

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is actually a white blood cell disease, she

said. " But it's called arthritis because of the pain associated with the

joints. "

Attacking the victim's joints, and in some cases organs, the disease causes

pain and fatigue. In some cases, the disease can be life threatening.

" It can really slow down an active child, " Munkres said. " Take a trip to the

zoo - with Kayla, we can only stay as long as she is up to it. It's

difficult. She can't always play like normal kids because of her disease. "

Still, Munkres credits drug therapy for allowing her daughter to have a

" pretty normal " life. " At first, she was on Vioxx. But her doctor wanted

Kayla to have a holiday from it, and while she was off it, it was pulled

from the market. "

Today, she said, Kayla takes Metothreate. " It's not as good a Vioxx, " she

said, " but it works pretty well. "

Munkres said both drugs suppress her daughter's white blood cells. " This

keeps them (white blood cells) from attacking her joints, but at the same

time, also suppresses her immune system which makes her more susceptible to

disease. "

Yet even with the challenges, Kayla is an everyday kid, her mother says.

" She's wonderful. At times she shy and then she's outgoing. She's a normal

9-year-old. "

And it's that little 9-year-old who will be the Arthritis Foundation's

Spotlight Child this Saturday at the Arthritis Walk.

The event is set for the OU North Oval. Registration is at 9:30 a.m., with

the walk at 10. Teams and walkers are still being formed. For more

information call the Arthritis Foundation at 936-3366.

Presenting sponsor for the event is Carl's Jr. Additional sponsors are

ActiveJoints.com, Arvest Bank, Norman Clinic, Norman Regional Hospital,

Norman Specialty Hospital, and Therapy in Motion.