Both Julie Rhyne and Liam McGlone thought they were the only kids in the whole wide world with arthritis. Their involvement with the Arthritis Foundation taught them otherwise. They are only two of the 46 million with arthritis, but as stalwart advocates for arthritis awareness and this year’s 2009 National Arthritis Walk Honorees, their message is echoing across the country – from their hometowns to Capitol Hill.
As Walk Honorees, it’s their job to elevate public consciousness of arthritis at the Walk, which will be held this May in more than 400 communities nationwide to raise funds for arthritis research, programs and services.
Both Julie and Liam were diagnosed with the disease as children, and both share a “can-do” attitude that is a testament to their resilience.
Julie Rhyne: “I’ve learned not to worry about the things I can’t control and worry about the things I can,” says Julie, now 34, who was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (JA) at 14. “I try to keep a positive attitude no matter what.”
Julie, who lives in Winchester, Va., is an avid volunteer for the Foundation’s Virginia Chapter. She has chaired her local Arthritis Walk, and lobbies in Washington, D.C., as an Arthritis Ambassador and at the Foundation’s annual Advocacy Summit.
She has a master’s degree in social work, but is unable to work full time. “It is very frustrating. I wanted to write grants and do program development and evaluation for nonprofit organizations,” she says, “but instead of realizing my career goals, I have had to live with the disappointment of being on disability.”
She channels that frustration by enlightening others, as she did eight years ago on a visit to a discount store during a flare. There, she asked the store greeter for a motorized cart. After scrutinizing her, Julie says, he answered, “You can walk.”
“My first reaction was, of course, anger,” Julie recalls. She explained to him that sometimes people’s disabilities are hidden. “I learned from that experience that instead of being reactive, I need to be proactive and educate people.”
Liam McGlone: Eight-year-old Liam of East Northport, N.Y., has ankylosing spondylitis, asthma and a heart aneurysm. He is not swayed from teaching others about his diseases. His brothers, ages 4 and 11, were recently diagnosed with JA, and Liam shares with them his ways of coping.
Liam’s bright smile is the face of juvenile arthritis for the thank-you letters and pledge reminders campaigns for the Foundation’s Long Island Chapter in New York.
Liam was Youth Honoree for his chapter’s 2006 Arthritis Walk, and his mom, Krista, was keynote speaker at a fundraising breakfast that year. Liam also has attended the Foundation’s Juvenile Arthritis Conference, an educational and networking event held exclusively for kids with arthritis and their families, where he met other children with arthritis. “I thought I was the only one,” he says. “It was fun to meet other kids like me.”
Liam is learning that having arthritis is not something to be ashamed of, and that it is manageable, says Krista. “Seeing your child in pain is the worse thing in the world. No one should have to live with pain every day, but a child should never have to go through what kids with arthritis go through,” she adds. “On the positive side, he will learn to be strong, to overcome and to adapt to whatever life brings.”
To find an Arthritis Walk near you, contact your local chapter or visit www.arthritis.org/arthritis-walk.
