The annual Arthritis Foundation Walk was Sunday at the Kosciusko Wellness Center.
Twenty-one teams participated and raised $20,911.
Money raised supports the research, programs and services of the Arthritis Foundation.
Gracie Hann was the walk honoree. Her team name was Team Gracie’s Gang. Walkers warmed up to Zumba.
Hann participated in the walk and raised nearly $2,000.
Hann is an 11-year-old who was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at 2 years old. Her left knee was visibly swollen, but with two years of Cortisone and Naprosyn, her arthritis went into remission.
It wasn’t until the summer before she was to begin her fifth-grade year that problems with her knuckles began to surface. After two weeks her knees started to bother her and it was this trigger that helped her doctor determined that she was having a flare.
She has endured Cortisone injections in her knees, wrists, knuckles and elbows. They momentarily relieve the swelling and discomfort, although the relief is fleeting. She is currently taking Naproxen, Folic Acid, Methotrexate and Enbrel injections. Her family is hopeful that this combination will allow her to live life with less pain.
Hann has persevered and continues her active lifestyle playing basketball and volleyball despite her pain. She is the starting point guard for her team, and has also played with the YMCA league, often playing on all three teams simultaneously.
Her mom is amazed at her strength and said, “Gracie never gets depressed about her JRA, and I cry probably more than she does.”
Hann wants to become a physical therapist to help others cope with their pain.
