2019 Walk to Cure Arthritis Honorees

 

Dr. Adams
Medical Honoree

Dr. Adams attended undergraduate school in Iowa, where he obtained a BS in History and EMU for premedical classes.  He returned to NYC where he attended Medical school and performed his Pediatrics Residency at SUNY-Downstate in Brooklyn.   Moving back to Michigan he did a Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship at Mott’s Children’s hospital and has been at Children’s Hospital of Michigan as a Pediatric Rheumatologist for the last 20 years, and Chief for the last 7. 


Brandon Bell
Psoriatic Arthritis
Adult Honoree

Brandon’s story with arthritis began when he was 8 years old. It was during football season, with many trips to the doctor’s office. We all assumed they were football related injuries, knees, ribs and then back pain. It was the visit when he was complaining of back pain that his doctor thought something else might be the culprit. She told his mom that no matter how hard he got hit playing football, no child should have this much back pain. Brandon went for blood tests and x-rays and was diagnosed with juvenile psoriatic arthritis.

He has had psoriasis since he was 2 years old, but he had never heard of psoriatic arthritis. His rheumatologist quickly started the medications needed to help with his joints. The side effects were the worst part. After years of trying different medications, with not a lot of relief, his doctors and his mom decided it was time to try biologic medications. They made quite a difference in his life.

He has had many blessings in his journey. His absolute favorite thing was getting to go to Camp Dakota. It was his favorite week of the year. Finally, a place where having arthritis was NORMAL! He went every year and then became a camp counselor. The friends he met there is his support system and will be lifelong friends. Brandon says that, “Disney World has nothing on Camp Dakota!”

Now that he is an adult, he is trying to navigate his way into making his own medical decisions and finding a career. The career part is a little more challenging that he thought it would be. He likes to work with his hands, so finding a career that he is able to do as his arthritis progresses will be tricky. He is looking forward to seeing how the rest of his story continues…


Koehn Long
Juvenile Idopathic Arthritis and Juvenile Anklosing Spondylitis
Youth Honoree

Koehn is the typical 9 year-old boy that loves to play sports but because of his JIA he often has a hard time keeping up.  Koehn loves to swim, play baseball and soccer at school with his friends.  Because of his JIA/JAS he is unable to play competitive sports like the other kids his age.  Another love of Koehn’s is video games.  

At a young age Koehn had a difficult time running around at daycare playing with the other kids.  He seemed to have an unusual gait when he was playing.  A pediatrician recommended physical therapy, but soon after, Koehn started running high fevers with unknown origin.  Koehn was hospitalized often for these fevers and then was sent to Rheumatology where it was found that Koehn had a large effusion (fluid) on his right knee. 

Since Koehn’s original diagnosis of JIA, he has been also diagnosed with JAS.  While some medications have help keep his inflammation down, side effects have included a suppressed immune system, leading to catching many colds and viruses. 

As Koehn is growing older, it is getting more difficult for him to do some of the “easy” things other kids do (like play soccer). His mom Karon has advice for other JA moms, “Our hope for others is to stay active and do what you love.  Also, look for opportunities to meet other kids with arthritis and make life long friendships.”  Koehn attended Camp Dakota, a summer camp for kids with juvenile arthritis hosted by the Arthritis Foundation.  “I want to thank the Arthritis Foundation for organizing such an awesome camp,” Karon continued, “We are looking forward to honoring Koehn at the Walk to Cure Arthritis as this year’s Youth Honoree.”