Analeigh
Juvenile Dermatomyositis and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honoree

In 2015, at the age of 4, Analeigh suddenly couldn't do things she once had been able to do. She had lost most of her strength and had trouble opening doors, going up and down steps, and sitting up from a lying down position.  After months of doctors appointments and medical testing we were finally sent to Arkansas Children's hospital and diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). JDM is a skin and muscular disease that primarily affects the large joints and leaves a bright red rash on the face, hands and feet, and can develop on any joints in the body. JIA often accompanies JDM and other auto-immune diseases.  Analeigh struggled through the first 2 years of hospital stays, steroids, at-home chemo injections and much more. Today she is off all at-home medications and living her best life! We still have many restrictions, but, fortunately, are able to live a mostly normal life! She is passionate about life and lives every day to its fullest. She is an animal lover and spends most of her time outdoors with her dogs, cats, and chickens. She also adores riding horses and participating in horse shows. Although there is no cure for JDM or JIA, we have faith that her treatments will keep her active! We are incredibly blessed and grateful to have such exceptional medical care and have the support and dedication of the Arthritis foundation.