May is for....

...Arthritis Awareness Month. Did you know that? Unless you are someone you know is impacted by this dreadful disease, I bet you didn't. Did you also know that there are more than 100 forms of arthritis? Bet you didn't. Did you know that Juvenile Arthritis is an AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE? Bet you didn't. Did you know that our kids (and lots of adults) have to take low dose chemotherapy as part of their treatment? Bet you didn't. Did you know that many of our kids hate day to day life because this disease makes them so different? Bet you didn't. For instance, a field trip means having to wear long sleeves, long pants, a wide brimmed hat AND sunscreen while your kid wears shorts a tee shirt and not a care in the world. Our kids have to miss school because your kid didn't get his vaccinations, so now there is an out break of chicken pox at school. Thanks. Our kids caught your kids cold because you felt he wasn't "sick enough" to keep him home from school. Now our kid has pneumonia. Did you know that the very drugs that treat our children, also make them sick? Bet you didn't. Or how about this, did you know that every Friday night I have to hold my baby girls hand while Daddy gives her her injections and she screams, "Please don't do this! WHY are you doing this to me?!" I bet....you didn't.
That video up there is of a sweet, BRAVE little girl named Jordan. Her family calls her Peanut because she is so small. So small, yet still SO brave! Oh yeah, did you know that this disease can stunt a child's growth? Bet you didn't.