Reader shares valuable information about Juvenile Arthritis

[Guest guest]

Reader shares valuable information about Juvenile Arthritis

http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/1002290

With the end of the month of March at hand, it has come to the attention of

this column that it has passed with very little mention of 'Juvenile

Arthritis Awareness Month.' And, it may have gone un-noticed if not for the

drive and determination of Eisener, who is with the local branch of

the Arthritis Society.

" I became involved with The Codiac Branch of The Arthritis Society in 2007.

It is my passion to educate people about Juvenile Arthritis, " says Eisener,

adding she is on a mission to stomp out a popular misconception.

Many people reading this may believe that arthritis is a condition that

primarily strikes at a certain age, however Eisener informs us that

arthritis knows no age boundary and its debilitating effects can also attack

the very young.

Her hunger to spread the news regarding Juvenile Arthritis is steeped in a

very personal place for Eisner one that she explains in her own words.

" My daughter Leah was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis in 1999, at 23

months of age, after months of pain and many visits to several doctors.

" Unfortunately, very few family doctors know much about Juvenile Arthritis,

making it a difficult disease to diagnose. "

The family realized early on just how difficult as she relates, " There is no

one definitive test but a series of tests and a process of elimination to

diagnose the disease. This lack of education, by medical and non-medical

persons, lead to a longer period of time before diagnosis, which allows the

disease to progress uncontrolled and cause much pain and damage, as it did

with Leah. "

Eisner admits to being in the dark herself in the beginning.

" At the time of Leah's diagnosis, I had never heard of Juvenile Arthritis.

Now almost 11 years later, most Canadians still know nothing of this

debilitating childhood disease. Leah is now almost 13 years old and will

live with this disease for the rest of her life. It is for this reason that

the Arthritis Society asked Leah and I to be local media contacts during

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness month. "

And so the Eisners are eager to assist families who may be experiencing a

similar situation.

" Please feel free to call me at 386-1065 for more information. No child

should suffer because of lack of education and information, " she offers.

In the interest of promoting public knowledge about the affliction she adds

" an excerpt from an article published on The Arthritis Society website " that

says:

" A vast majority of Canadians are not aware of one of the most common

chronic childhood diseases, juvenile arthritis (JA), according to a recent

national survey commissioned by The Arthritis Society. The Ipsos Reid survey

revealed that 80 per cent of respondents, including parents with children

below the age of 16, are unfamiliar with the disease. Juvenile arthritis

affects 1 in 1,000 Canadian children.

" Life is different and harder for children with arthritis. They have daily

struggles that other kids don't have to face, " notes Dr. Feldman, Vice

Chair of The Arthritis Society's Medical Advisory Committee and head of the

division of rheumatology at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

" Children with arthritis often have to miss school and recreational

activities because of their many medical visits. In addition to dealing with

the sometimes excruciating physical effects of the disease, missing out on

these activities can impact children emotionally. Some children with severe

forms of juvenile arthritis may require surgery on their joints. Finding a

cure is imperative; no child should have to go through this. "

In her approach, Eisner states, " Just knowing that children get arthritis

puts you ahead most Canadians in education. "

Hopefully this information will assist families who have members dealing

with similar symptoms as Leah find answers quicker by discussing the option

with doctors.