Written by Hailey Krey
Arthritis In Motion
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Arthritis – n. painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints, affects every 1 in 4 adults in the United States and over 300,000 Children.
Motion – n. the action or process of moving or being moved.
How are Arthritis and Motion connected? I asked myself this same question at the age of 15. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis; I felt the world stop. This was a brick wall I didn’t understand how to hurdle. I wondered how I could remain in motion while living an active lifestyle and coping with this aching pain. Around the thick brick wall was a giant cloud, which made everything very foggy, and it was almost impossible to know the height of this massive barrier. All I knew is that waiting for me on the other side was everything I dreamed of doing and this obstacle blocked the way. I soon recognized that the world didn’t fully stop. I watched the sun rise and set as the days passed on, and I still stood staring at the brick wall thinking that it would magically be lifted and taken from my path. I could not escape the facts: I had arthritis and it was confirmed to me every time I felt an inch of pain. We cannot escape the facts of life, but we can choose the way we see them and react to them. Just as we adapt with nature, we have to adapt with the nature of our lives.
I felt my attitude change as I adapted to the circumstances that had been allotted to me. The brick wall in front of me looked different. The view became less foggy, the giant cloud went away, and I noticed that the wall was in the shape of a big arrow pointing upwards. It represented opportunity, optimism, and striving to reach my desired goals and dreams. This brick wall no longer became my roadblock, but it became my motto: AIM ABOVE. AIM standing for Arthritis In Motion. I decided to keep moving forward and AIM to accomplish my goals and reach my highest potential. Instead of letting this brick wall stop my progression, it became my motivation in everything I did. I saw my Arthritis In Motion, and my dreams and goals became possible. There are things in our life that we have no control of changing, but we can control the way we react and the way we see it. It is my passion to help others discover the same and live a life of positivity. Arthritis is a roadblock that effects over 300,000 children in the United States.
Life is not about setbacks and roadblocks; it’s about opportunity and finding joy in the journey. If you take a step back you may recognize that your brick wall is an arrow pointing towards the sky. My message of Arthritis In Motion is an invitation to you to see yourself in motion and AIM for what makes you happy. If you are an Arthritis Fighter, join the A.I.M. Above Family and continue forward with positivity.