#LiveYes and Dream Big
By: Samantha Paul
Senior year did not turn out the way I had expected. In the blink of an eye, school was online, prom was canceled and the graduation I had been waiting years for became a drive-through. Just like living with juvenile arthritis (JA), the rise of COVID-19 has presented unique challenges.
Arthritis has tried to stop me from doing what I love, and now COVID has tried to throw a wrench in my plans as well. I Live Yes by not letting challenges stop me. They are unique challenges that not many people my age face, but they allow me a different perspective and force me to go in a different direction.
I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at the age of 14, but I had been living with symptoms since I was 11. I had pain in my foot that over a handful of doctors passed off as plantar fasciitis. It wasn’t until the pain in my jaw started almost a year later that doctors began to listen.
When my treatment started at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, I had to leave school because I was so sick, and my pain wasn’t managed. Once it started getting under control, I went back to school for half days. The effects of living with unmanageable chronic pain for years can be detrimental. I began having pain in parts of my body where I didn’t have arthritis and ended up being diagnosed with a chronic pain condition: amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS).
I was lucky enough to go to an in-hospital program designed to treat AMPS, and after three weeks I came out a whole new person. I was pushed past my breaking point daily and learned that I am stronger than I could have ever imagined, not only physically but mentally. I had never felt better and went home with a whole new perspective on life.
I believe I was 15 or 16 years old once I finally had the perfect treatment regimen for me — and have been almost pain-free ever since. I graduated high school in May and committed to a college in New York City to pursue an acting major and BFA, something I never thought I would be able to do after my diagnosis.
Every single day, I am doing things that, only a few years ago, I never thought I’d be able to do on my own again, starting with getting out of bed in the morning. Although I have never felt better, years of untreated arthritis has its consequences. Last summer, my doctor noticed that my jaw joints had deteriorated to a point where I would need reconstructive surgery. I had that surgery this past June.
If there’s anything I’ve learned from arthritis, it’s that we can do hard things — not just me but all of us. We are truly all JA warriors. Every time you inject your medication, sit still for a long MRI or even get through a scary doctor’s appointment, you’re getting stronger. I can guarantee that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without arthritis. I wouldn’t have the compassion, empathy and drive I do now.
My dream was to move to New York City and be an actor. In the fall, I’ll be doing just that. The reason I can do it is because I refuse to let my disease stop me. I’d love to hear your story and experiences. You can share them on social media with #WeLiveYes . To the class of 2020, congratulations! I can’t wait to see the wonderful places you’ll go.
For all the JA teens who have started their first year of college, please check out the Connect on Campus Care Pack , filled with helpful tools and materials to empower you to live your best life while in college.
Senior year did not turn out the way I had expected. In the blink of an eye, school was online, prom was canceled and the graduation I had been waiting years for became a drive-through. Just like living with juvenile arthritis (JA), the rise of COVID-19 has presented unique challenges.
Arthritis has tried to stop me from doing what I love, and now COVID has tried to throw a wrench in my plans as well. I Live Yes by not letting challenges stop me. They are unique challenges that not many people my age face, but they allow me a different perspective and force me to go in a different direction.
I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at the age of 14, but I had been living with symptoms since I was 11. I had pain in my foot that over a handful of doctors passed off as plantar fasciitis. It wasn’t until the pain in my jaw started almost a year later that doctors began to listen.
When my treatment started at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, I had to leave school because I was so sick, and my pain wasn’t managed. Once it started getting under control, I went back to school for half days. The effects of living with unmanageable chronic pain for years can be detrimental. I began having pain in parts of my body where I didn’t have arthritis and ended up being diagnosed with a chronic pain condition: amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS).
I was lucky enough to go to an in-hospital program designed to treat AMPS, and after three weeks I came out a whole new person. I was pushed past my breaking point daily and learned that I am stronger than I could have ever imagined, not only physically but mentally. I had never felt better and went home with a whole new perspective on life.
I believe I was 15 or 16 years old once I finally had the perfect treatment regimen for me — and have been almost pain-free ever since. I graduated high school in May and committed to a college in New York City to pursue an acting major and BFA, something I never thought I would be able to do after my diagnosis.
Every single day, I am doing things that, only a few years ago, I never thought I’d be able to do on my own again, starting with getting out of bed in the morning. Although I have never felt better, years of untreated arthritis has its consequences. Last summer, my doctor noticed that my jaw joints had deteriorated to a point where I would need reconstructive surgery. I had that surgery this past June.
If there’s anything I’ve learned from arthritis, it’s that we can do hard things — not just me but all of us. We are truly all JA warriors. Every time you inject your medication, sit still for a long MRI or even get through a scary doctor’s appointment, you’re getting stronger. I can guarantee that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without arthritis. I wouldn’t have the compassion, empathy and drive I do now.
My dream was to move to New York City and be an actor. In the fall, I’ll be doing just that. The reason I can do it is because I refuse to let my disease stop me. I’d love to hear your story and experiences. You can share them on social media with #WeLiveYes . To the class of 2020, congratulations! I can’t wait to see the wonderful places you’ll go.
For all the JA teens who have started their first year of college, please check out the Connect on Campus Care Pack , filled with helpful tools and materials to empower you to live your best life while in college.
