Lindee and Lola
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honorees

Did you know that one in every 1,000 children under the age of 16 has Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)? While it is not common for a family to have more than one child with arthritis (1.2% chance), it does happen.  In the case of identical twins, one in four children whose twin has JIA, will also get it. Unfortunately, Lindee and Lola are part of that 25%

Last October, at 17 months old, Lola was diagnosed with Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, which means she has more than five joints affected. In addition to joint pain and inflammation, she suffers from bowel issues and light sensitivity. One month after her diagnosis, her twin sister Lindee’s symptoms came about abruptly, and in December, she was diagnosed with Oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Since being diagnosed, both girls have shown significant improvements with joint mobility and decreased inflammation, a large part due to the medication regimen and regular physical therapy.  Much like most kids that suffer from JIA, they have good days and bad. Communicating how they are feeling can be particularly difficult at times, due to their age. However, they are taking their journey in stride and, for the most part, remain positive, despite their illness.

Their parents and big sister Zoey are extremely thankful for the Arthritis Foundation, not only for the informational resources and support they have provided since the twins were diagnosed with JIA, but also for helping them stay connected to other families experiencing the same types of issues. Lindee and Lola are very proud to be a part of the 2019 Jingle Bell Run!

Sherry Little
Osteoarthritis
Adult Honoree 

I was born in Los Angeles and moved to Arkansas at age 10 - and never left!  I attended UALR and have worked for several great companies but found a home when I went to work for L’Oreal USA.  This year marks my 20^th anniversary with the company.  I have always stressed the importance of hard work to both of my children, Michelle and Daniel.  Michelle is successful and Daniel is finishing up at UALR this year. 

As a family, we participate in the Jingle Bell Run and have for many years.  We look forward to the sign up for the Jingle Bell Run each year. It meant even more to us when Michelle was diagnosed with Arthritis while in High School.  Michelle underwent surgery and has done great since that time. I was diagnosed with Arthritis several years ago when I had a knee replacement at an early age.  I have been the Team Captain here at L’Oreal for many years.  L’Oreal has supported our employees, not only with their registration but they have donated many of their products that go into the bags that participants get at the end of the race, year after year.   

In my off time I enjoy working on fused and stained glass, a hobby I have done now for nearly 40 years. Also, I have volunteered with our neighborhood pool for 15 years and this year we signed up over 200 families…..a first in many years.  Our pool is a great asset to our neighborhood and we are all volunteers who want the best for our neighborhood. 

Joel N Smith, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Medical Honoree  

Dr. Smith is a native Arkansan who grew up in Northwest Arkansas. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2006. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in OK in 2011. During his chief year in residency, he was awarded the Outstanding Specialty Resident of the Year by the OU Trauma Center. He continued his training and completed his sports medicine fellowship at Tahoe Orthopedics and Sports Medicine where he worked with team physicians for the U.S.A. Alpine Ski team and athletes during training events.

Dr. Smith specializes in Orthopedic Surgery, and particularly Sports Medicine. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Smith’s passion is helping to improve the quality of life for his patients. He utilizes non-surgical and surgical treatments to help his patients achieve their goals. He specializes in arthroscopic surgery for the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle. He also does joint replacement surgery for the knee and shoulder, including total and partial knee replacement, as well as total shoulder and reverse total shoulder replacement. Dr. Smith is very grateful to be acknowledge by local AY Magazine as one of Central Arkansas’ Best of the Best Orthopedic Surgeons in 2017.

Aside from practicing medicine, you will find Dr. Smith outdoors enjoying spare time with his wife, Jennifer, and three children. He is an avid golfer and enjoys a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, and football. He and his family enjoy exploring all that central Arkansas has to offer.