Thursday, October 13, 2016

JIA Families...A New Beginning

Dear JIA families,

I have shared on this blog the good and the bad with Savannah's journey with arthritis.  Savannah has seen two years of monthly infusions, jaw injections twice, years of daily medicine, being in a wheelchair because of severe pain, weekly shots, sleepless nights...you get the picture.  But now, we want to share the good from it all.  Savannah is compassionate, a fighter, looks for the positive, courageous, and more well rounded because of her arthritis journey.  And now, she is also a child of Christ.  We want to share this joy with our readers because this blog is not only about a child's arthritis journey, but the blessings in spite of it.  Savannah became a Christian Oct. 6, 2016 through faith and obedience.  To God be the glory!!!


Savannah being baptized by her Papa.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Juvenile Arthritis and Swimming...a Great Combination


Savannah had her first swim meet today...it was a great success!  She swam with all her heart and her joints handled it wonderfully.  Savannah is so blessed in so many ways and we thank God for the Prattville Christian Academy swim team! Thank you to all who have prayed for Savannah as we celebrate this blessing together!

Yes, life with Juvenile Arthritis is a roller coaster, and we thank God for times like these that are wonderful and down right fun!  ... And when we hit a dip or crazy part of this ride/journey with arthritis...we will remember days like today...and we will be thankful.




Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Juvenile Arthritis -Teenage Years and Junior High - What Helps

I haven't posted in a long while...sorry about that.  Sometimes you just don't know what to say, because life is a roller coaster with juvenile arthritis.

SO....here are some helpful ideas for living with arthritis as an 8th grader, so far.

1. Savannah's locker:  All lockers at Savannah's junior high school have a lock built into the locker....all lockers but ONE...Savannah's locker.  This is because the school physically removed Savannah's lock on her locker because her hands are not able to maneuver the opening of the lock due to the arthritis in her fingers and hands.  We are thankful to the school for doing this...sometimes you just have to ask.



2.  Savannah has joined the school swim team!  This is a huge thing, because this is the first sport she has played that has really not affected her joints for the negative...in fact, the movement is great for her joints!! Soccer may be a thing of the past (so much running was killing her ankles and feet), but swim...well, it is a blessing from God for Savannah.  Looking for a great school sport for arthritis...try SWIMMING!

3.  Savannah still uses her pencil grip to write every day, but sometimes there are too many notes to write down for hands with arthritis to manage.  So, Savannah takes her phone or computer and takes a picture of the notes on the board as the teacher writes them down.  She then prints them up on our printer and puts them in her notebook for future studying and notebook checks.



4.  SUCK IT UP!  Yes, this is the term we use amongst ourselves.  Sometimes, no matter how much it hurts, you just have to "suck it up" and deal with the pain as best you can.  If Savannah wants to wear some cute shoes without her shoe inserts, she "sucks it up".  If Savannah wants to run the football on and off the field as "ball girl" to help manage the varsity football team on Friday nights, she "sucks it up" (even though this simple act makes her feet and ankles scream by the end of the game).  Get the point?! Don't let arthritis stop you from doing things that are most important to you. 


Savannah's life is more than arthritis...it is full of so many opportunities and blessings.


Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Playing Soccer...Overcoming Arthritis with Prayers and Hard Work!




Savannah got some playing time in her school's JV soccer game tonight. Living the dream with the help of prayers and determination.  

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Victory Over Juvenile Arthritis...Fighting Back and Praising God

Today is a long awaited post.  This post would not be possible without Savannah's prayer warriors.  Savannah played in her first JV soccer game...and they won, 8-0! However, the biggest victory is Savannah being able to play.  Just four years ago, Savannah was in a wheelchair on her worst days...the pain too bad for her to even walk, let alone run.  Through God and prayer, grit, and lots of determination...she accomplished her dream...playing soccer again. #nevergiveuponyourdreams
All smiles...ready for first game!


Some of Savannah's closest friends...living the dream together.