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2023 Walk to Cure Arthritis Honorees

 

Kayle Plotkin
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Adult Honoree


December 1990, at her daughters’ 2nd birthday, Kayle was sitting on the floor helping her daughter open gifts. But unlike other times, she couldn’t seem to get up and noticed a nodule on her finger and decide to go to the doctor. After a year of being diagnosed with lupus, it is determined that I actually have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Thirty-two years later and she has worked 2 jobs most of her working career, raised an amazing daughter for 22 of those years as a single mother, participated in 2 different medical trials, one of which she is still using.

 

Sophia McCabe
Juvenile Arthritis
Youth Honoree

Sophia's journey with arthritis began at the tender age of 2. Doctor's appointments, various medications, infusions, injections were all just a part of her life. She never let arthritis limit her options, participating in basketball and gymnastics, eventually being invited to join the gymnastics competition team where she won several medals. As a Girl Scout for 10 years she learned to be considerate and caring, courageous and strong, earning her Bronze and Silver awards.

Today, she is on her journey to become a nurse, having been inspired by all of the amazing medical staff that has been a part of her life over all of these years. She has become her  first patient, as she now self-injects her weekly medication.