Amelia
As told by her mother
Amelia (Mia) was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis at the age of 9 months. Her symptoms started when she was 7 1/2 months old with the typical fever, rashes, and joint pain. After 3 different hospitals and a total of 18 days spent in-patient we were finally diagnosed. Life at first was a challenge. We were battling fatigue, weight loss, joint pain, and mental trauma from the hospital stay. She started Methotrexate within the first month of diagnosis; after a few weeks she started to perk up. And after 8 weeks on Methotrexate she was playing right along with her two brothers. She was very ill during key months of physical development so we are still struggling on playing "catch up" to her peers, but life is wonderful now. Amelia is a pain-free, happy baby. She does physical therapy to help her with standing and some day soon she will be walking. She's a very happy and determined girl; she won't let a little arthritis stop her! You can read more about Mia's progress and adventures at www.junebugsbattlewithjra.blogspot.com
