Meredith Boyd - Georgia Arthritis Survivor
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) affects a heck of a lot more young people than you might think. Meredith Boyd of Georgia in the USA was struck with it at age 15. Read Meredith's story on how she handled it and what she is doing to help others with the same condidtion.
My life changed overnight.
I woke up one morning for school, put my feet on the ground to stand up...and fell to the ground.
I had never been so scared in my life.
Like many children living with arthritis, missing school and going to doctor's appointments became my normal way of life. I was determined to keep up with the work and maintain regular attendance, and I was lucky to have very understanding teachers who allowed me to
make up my work and even take tests after school. Weeks of physical therapy followed, along with dispelling the myth that only older people get arthritis. My family and friends soon began to understand that kids get arthritis, too.
After my knee surgery, I was told to stand up out of my wheelchair and walk out of the hospital. I thought the doctor was crazy! I was so scared to collapse again and fall.
To my surprise, I was able to stand and walk. It was like a dream to have my freedom back for just a few seconds. A ray of hope struck my heart and just those few steps is all I needed to motivate me to get through physical therapy and get on my feet again."
I endured numerous painful knee drainings, but delicate surgery was needed to repair the damage arthritis left behind in my right knee.
My journey with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) began at age 15 as a sophomore at Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. I did extremely well
in academics and I had a passion for music, especially marching in the band playing her clarinet. I consider myself one of the lucky ones, having received a diagnosis of JRA in only six months. The quick - and accurate - diagnosis allowed the medical team to proceed with treatment immediately. After using crutches and wearing knee braces to stay mobile at school, it became clear nothing was working to relieve
the pain or reduce the swelling.
With plenty of encouragement and determination, I have been on my feet ever since. I graduated from Georgia Southern University, where I met my husband Matthew. I am now well into adulthood, and I still battle stiffness in my joints, but it doesn't hold me back from accomplishing my personal and professional goals. In December 2005, I again began experiencing severe pain, this time in my left foot. I endured numerous steroid injections to relieve the pain, but it was only a temporary fix until the pain came back more severe each time. This led to my second surgery to deal with this arthritis, and an entire bone was removed.
I was shocked at the amount of pain and intense physical therapy it took to heal the damage of arthritis after my second surgery It is never easy no matter what age you are. I wasn't able to walk out of the hospital this time. I was back in the wheelchair in so much pain.
Having dealt with scar tissue and months of physical therapy. I was determined to overcome this adversity and get back on my feet - yet again. Now at the age of 33, I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed possible.
No pain equals no gain. This experience has taught me to work harder for things in life and never take anything for granted as it can be taken away from you when you least expect it."
I am currently a Group Director for a multi-national PR firm in Atlanta. Makeup artistry is a passion, I am comfortable in front of and behind the camera as a commercial model and makeup artist. My quest for quality led me to start her own line of makeup called Mere Cosmetics. My efforts have resulted in many national television commercials, print work
and awards. I regularly attend Arthritis Foundation events as an official spokesperson carrying a message of hope for the nearly 1.7 million Georgians - including 9,200 children - living with arthritis. As the reigning Mrs. Georgia International, I have adopted arthritis awareness as her official platform and I plan to help the Arthritis Foundation, Georgia
Chapter increase public awareness and to bring widespread attention to arthritis and the many people it affects.
My husband Matthew is a Lieutenant of Detectives for the Powder Springs Police Department, he introduced me to M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) in conjunction with D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). Together we have explored the Special
Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run and annual games that share special places in our hearts.
The Arthritis Foundation mission is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. I want to support that mission and be a voice for children who have arthritis and let them know they are not alone.
You are welcome to contact me and follow my travels by visiting my website
