Sophia Prox
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Teen Honoree
Sophia's symptoms started when she was in 4th grade. She'd often complain of leg and back pain but like normal kids that age, her family thought it might just be growing pains. Once she got into middle school, she really started to complain a lot more, so her mom took her to the doctor and they diagnosed her with shin splints. Sophia never seemed to get better. After many tests, she was referred to Comers Children Hospital. All her tests were mostly normal but due to a family history of seronegative autoimmune arthritis, her symptoms, and her exam, she was able to receive a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Allison Grove
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honoree
Allison’s juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) journey started when she asked to have her nails painted but when she held out her hands, she couldn’t fully straighten her fingers or wrists. When her mom asked if she was in pain, she said she wasn’t. Her mom took her to her pediatrician who ran tests and recommended Comer Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed quickly.
Allison is improving with treatment, and she understands what’s happening to her body. She loves to dance Hip Hop and Jazz, and spends time playing with her two dogs Blaze and Maggie in her free time. She enjoys math, lunch and recess at school and hopes to go to law school in the future.
Nora Mays-Rimnac
Juvenile Arthritis
Youth Honoree
Nora was experiencing reoccurring fevers with no other obvious symptoms. Her pediatrician noticed that her knee was slightly swollen and referred her to a rheumatologist at Lurie’s where she was immediately diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.
Due to Nora’s age, it was hard for her to communicate with her parents when she was in pain. She has recently been able to express when she is feeling joint pain.
Nora did step therapy and multiple rounds of steroid injections. She is currently doing much better with her treatment. She is not letting her arthritis slow her down!
Sophia's symptoms started when she was in 4th grade. She'd often complain of leg and back pain but like normal kids that age, her family thought it might just be growing pains. Once she got into middle school, she really started to complain a lot more, so her mom took her to the doctor and they diagnosed her with shin splints. Sophia never seemed to get better. After many tests, she was referred to Comers Children Hospital. All her tests were mostly normal but due to a family history of seronegative autoimmune arthritis, her symptoms, and her exam, she was able to receive a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Allison’s juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) journey started when she asked to have her nails painted but when she held out her hands, she couldn’t fully straighten her fingers or wrists. When her mom asked if she was in pain, she said she wasn’t. Her mom took her to her pediatrician who ran tests and recommended Comer Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed quickly.
Nora was experiencing reoccurring fevers with no other obvious symptoms. Her pediatrician noticed that her knee was slightly swollen and referred her to a rheumatologist at Lurie’s where she was immediately diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.