Daphne O'Brien
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Adult Honoree
 Daphne O'Brien was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at 11. Initially, Daphne had a sudden onset of pain and swelling in her ankles, but the symptoms soon spread to include weakness in her hands.
Her family's doctor referred Daphne to Akron Children's Hospital where she received her diagnosis. After years of physical therapy and medications, Daphne was considered in remission and again able to play sports, something the Arthritis Foundation inspired her to strive for by showing active kids with JRA. Today, Daphne lives with joint damage and occasionally has flares, but she is healthy and active and loves spending time with her husband and their three sons. |
Before joining the Center for Rheumatic Diseases and Osteoporosis in North Bethesda, Dr. Seema Goyal served as Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, for 3 years and then several years as a private practice rheumatologist with the Princeton Medical Group in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Goyal has been chosen by her peers to be listed in the Washingtonian “Best Physicians” edition every year since moving to the area. Dr. Goyal is an active member of the American College of Rheumatology and sees adults with all types of rheumatologic conditions.
Carsey Eliason was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis in her left knee when she was in 5th grade, and it has been a bumpy road with trying to regulate the disease. Advocating for herself when in pain has been something she’s struggled with as the conversation would lead to having to explain that kids get arthritis, too!
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