: Walking tall against a powerful enemy

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: Walking tall against a powerful enemy

www.wickedlocal.com/beverly/sports/x1867423083/--Walking-tall-against\

-a-powerful-enemy

Wed May 14, 2008, 08:21 PM EDT

Beverly, Mass. - No matter what challenges were presented, has

always risen to the occasion. The 14-year-old is living proof of what the

human spirit can accomplish when the odds are stacked against it.

For , those challenges occurred at a very early age.

" When I was little, I remember having casts on my knees and how

uncomfortable they were, " said . " When I was seven, it started making

sense. Sometimes my knees would hurt, and it wasn't just because I had a

bruise or anything; it was for a reason. "

was suffering from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, a disabling

disease that affects 50,000 children, including 5,900 in Massachusetts

alone.

along with her 10-year-old brother and parents Bob and Liz, will

lead Team at the annual North Shore Arthritis Walk, Sunday, May 18,

at Lynch Park. This will mark the fourth year the family has participated in

the event, which will raise money for arthritis research.

" If people help out in the Arthritis Foundation, then it will be easier to

find a cure for this disease, " said. " I'm really excited to go to the

walk, and I'm doing it with all my friends. "

was just 16 months old, when her parents, Liz and Bob of North

Beverly, first noticed that something wasn't right. Their youngster was

having trouble walking, something she'd done regularly since the age of 10

months.

" We could see little changes in her, where she really wouldn't walk, " Liz

recalled. " And right before her feet would hit the floor, she'd pull

them back up. We could see when we were just taking her pajamas off, we'd

have to bend her legs and she'd be crying and her knees were warm. "

Seriously concerned, the s brought their daughter to her

pediatrician, who promptly sent them to Children's Hospital. was put

through a battery of tests, which confirmed a diagnosis of Juvenile

Rheumatoid Arthritis, a disease with symptoms that include joint swelling

and stiffness, among others.

The s were floored by the news.

" It was really kind of eye-opening because we really had no idea that kids

could get that, " said Liz. " You think of arthritis with someone who has done

a lot of sports and maybe had a previous injury and it can affect the joint

that way, but you don't think of a baby who's not even two to have this. "

" It was a little humbling, to say the least, because you just don't know

what's going to happen, " the mother added. " You think your child is healthy

and then something like that happens. "

According to Liz , the doctors indicated that more than likely

caught the disease following a bout with the flu. The bug must have awakened

something inside her body, resulting in her condition, which primarily

affects her knee, wrist and jaw.

" She has a mild case of it, so we've been very lucky and very fortunate, "

Liz said. " It can go into different parts of your body, and we've been

fortunate that hasn't happened.

visits five doctors every three to six months, including a

pediatrician, rheumatoid specialist, optometrist and orthodontist. Her

medical team at Children's Hospital trades notes on their patient, keeping

everyone informed of any important developments.

" We're fortunate to be close to hospitals right here in Boston, " said Liz " I

can't say enough about Children's Hospital. They really know their stuff,

and it was really comforting to know that we were in good hands. "

is currently taking one medication that has so far combated the ill

effects of JRA. Although symptoms have a tendency to flare from

time-to-time, the 14-year-old Briscoe Middle School student has handled

adversity well.

" 's really been good about it, " her mother said. " This has been going on

since she was not even two. She's always had medicine to take, and she

really never complains. She knows that it's going to help her in the long

run. "

Being a good sport

These days, sports have taken center stage in 's life.

" At first I thought was really bad, but then I figured out that I was

still able to do everyday activities. "

wasted little time, keeping active playing a variety of sports from

skiing and soccer, to gymnastics and cross-country.

" The doctor said I wouldn't have any problem with playing sports and that it

shouldn't stop me from playing, " she said. " I think of myself as equal to

everybody else when it came to sports. "

These days, can be found on the diamond, playing softball for the Red

Sox in the Beverly Girls Softball League. A third baseman/pitcher, the

right-handed hurler and her club picked up its first victory with a

convincing 16-7 win over the Orioles last week.

She has proven to be just as competitive on the slopes, where she reigned as

a member of the Mt. Cranmore Ski Team this past winter, while also teaching

ski lessons to children 8 and under. Staying competitive in athletics has

been extremely beneficial for , both medically and recreationally.

The family maintains a positive outlook, noting the possibility that

the effect of JRA could lessen as gets older. In the meantime, she

remains booked with plenty of games to play in the month ahead to keep her

occupied.

" She likes exercising, " said Liz. " She likes playing all these sports, and

she knows that it's really good for her.

" She doesn't let stop her from doing anything, " Liz said. " If

you look at her, you wouldn't even know she had it unless I told you. "

As for the future, would like to one day pursue a career, either as

a fashion designer or kindergarten teacher. She's already gotten a taste for

working with kids as a ski instructor.

And she feels kids who are suffering from arthritis shouldn't let it be an

obstacle in their lives.

" If I can do it, they can do it, " said. " Some cases are worse then

mine, but sometimes they're not, and they can do anything that they can put

their mind to. "

One thing is for sure: has a winning attitude, which should

keep her in the athletic arena for many years to come.