Arthritis Success Stories

Physical activity programs such as Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program and People with Arthritis Can Exercise (PACE) classes can: decrease joint pain, decrease depression, increase joint mobility, increase flexibility, increase a person's sense of control, and improve quality of life.

Read the stories below to see how the Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program or PACE has improved the lives of Kansans with Arthritis.

Please click here to submit your success story.

A Success Story:

My name is Julia Fonseca and I am a 26 year old woman, but on some days my bones feel like they are.let's just say, much older! At the age of six months old, I developed Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis in my right knee and left wrist. I remember wading in this massive hot pool while doing physical therapy exercises and getting fitted for new braces every few months. I also remember the doctors saying that I was lucky to have JRA because, as a child, I stay very active, which is good for my bones. On the other hand, the doctor continues to state that I have one of the worst kinds of arthritis due to it being "crippling." At a year old, I developed some more "conditions." I developed glaucoma and uveitis, which affects my vision. I was told that this all stems from my JRA and wonderful family genetics. I was then told, at the age of 20, that I would be blind.

Now that I have introduced the "dark side," let me tell you about who I really am! My name is Julia Fonseca and I am 26 years old and a person with a disability who is proud to be a part of this wonderful disability community! Yes I have JRA, I am visually impaired, and I need to use a cane and guide dog. Also, I use assistive technology for my vision, I live in a ranch style house for my poor old bones, and I'm on medication for both conditions. Due to having these two disabilities, I have found numerous abilities within myself. I graduated from Washburn University after seven long years. I now have a full time job assisting others who have disabilities. I am on several committees that advocate for persons with disabilities. I have gone on a civil rights march, organized my own campus group focused on disabilities and students, and am very involved in my community in my spare time. Am I bragging? No. I'm trying to show you that even though one may have a disability- whether it be arthritis or something else- there is nothing you can't do! It is all in how we choose to live our lives. Yes, our disability may dictate on some days what we do or how fast we do it, but it does not dictate our whole being. Our bones may tell us that we may not have the physical strength to complete a certain task today or give us too much pain to even think about it, but it is our internal strength that helps us deal with those situations as they arise. which for many is often. My arthritis has always been a roller coaster ride. Kind of like the inflammation I feel in my joints! Similar to a roller coaster ride, it may make you sick or it may make you scream in delight. You need to lean into the turns and go along for the ride. You can't get off now. Remember, there are many more people on this ride with you for support!

Julia Fonseca