Before adulthood with juvenile arthritis, there were the early years. These are the stories that shaped the way I learned to cope, the choices my parents had to make, and the moments that taught me what strength looks like long before I had words for it. These posts trace the beginning of my journey, from early procedures to the decisions that changed the course of my life and the years when I pushed every limit I could find.
If you’d like to start at the beginning, the full series is below.
Series Posts
Post 1: “Look Mom, I Can See You!”
A glimpse into my earliest memories with JRA. This post looks at childhood resilience up close and the small human moments that stay with us long after the medical details fade.
Post 2: The Decision Beyond My Years
A reflection on the impossible choice my parents and surgeon had to make when they decided to fuse my left knee. It explores the weight parents carry, the trust children give, and the way hindsight reshapes our understanding of courage.
Post 3: Rules? I Thought They Were Suggestions!
The years after my knee fusion, when I tested every boundary I could. Ice skating, bike riding, roller skating. This is the story of how I tried to fit in, how I pushed past fear, and how I eventually realized that what looked like resilience was really the beginning of becoming myself.