Three cheers for

[Guest guest]

Three cheers for

Thursday, January 19, 2006

http://www2.townonline.com/saugus/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=411007

If you want proof that adversity can bring out the best in people, look no

further than Sacilotto.

In many ways Sacilotto, 17, is no different than the average high

school teenager. She likes hanging out with her friends, cheering on the

varsity squad for the Saugus High School football and hockey teams and

participating in student government.

But while most of her classmates only go the doctor for annual

physicals, Sacilotto heads to the doctor once a month for bloodwork. That's

because she suffers from mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), a rare

disorder characterized by parts of the immune system being over-active and

producing increased amounts of abnormal antibodies that attack a patient's

organs.

Patients with MCTD experience symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as

scleroderma, lupus and myositis. These symptoms often appear as cardiac,

pulmonary or skin manifestations, but since Sacilotto was diagnosed with

MCTD, the symptom that affected her most prominently has been juvenile

rheumatoid arthritis.

It all started when Sacilotto was only 8 years old and had trouble

tumbling in a gymnastics class due to aches and soreness in her hands. The

condition was determined to be arthritis and led to the eventual diagnosis

of MCTD.

By the time Sacilotto reached fourth grade, her arthritis worsened and

she had to take medicine to function normally. In sixth grade her condition

improved considerably after doctors prescribed a treatment program her body

responded to more positively.

Nowadays Sacilotto still suffers from inflammation in her joints and

has difficulty with circulation in her extremities during cold weather, but

she's healthy enough to lead a normal life mostly free of pain. There are

some tough days when she feels fatigued and sore, but the good days

outnumber the bad.

" Now, it's not having a big impact on my life, " she said. " I go about

each day just like everyone else does. "

Making a Difference

Living with a serious disease such as MCTD isn't easy. When Sacilotto

was still in elementary school her face swelled considerably as a side

effect to medicine she had to take to combat the disorder.

Classmates too young to understand what Sacilotto was dealing with

teased her about her appearance. Instead of withdrawing socially, she

handled the situation by making presentations in class about her disease and

forging close-knit friendships with peers who looked past the disease to

realize the terrific person she was.

Sacilotto remains close with these friends today. In fact, her

connection with them is so strong that they all walked together two years

ago in the Beverly-based North Shore Arthritis Walk, an event that raises

money used to try to find a cure for arthritis.

" My friends are awesome, they always want to help me out, " Sacilotto

said, singling out a Palladino, Leanna Walsh, Jaycee McCarthy and Raylyn

Glavin for everything they've done for her.

Last spring Sacilotto was appointed as an ambassador for the North

Shore Arthritis Walk. True to her nature, she took on the responsibility and

contacted numerous individuals to encourage them to participate in the

fund-raiser.

When all was said and done, Sacilotto assembled a team of about 20

family and friends to walk with her. The group called themselves " Team Tater

Tots " and dressed as characters from the hit movie, " Napoleon Dynamite, "

taking home the award handed out for best costumes.

Over the last two years Sacilotto and co. have raised close to $2,500

for the Arthritis Foundation. Her goal this spring is to raise at least

$2,000 through sponsorships.

Overcoming adversity

Although Sacilotto has received tremendous support from family and

friends since being diagnosed with arthritis, she said it helps to be around

others who are dealing with the same disease and have a firsthand

understanding of what she's been through.

Those who are closest to Sacilotto are amazed how well she has handled

being diagnosed with MCTD. Among them are her mother, Sue Sacilotto, who

described her daughter as a fun-loving spirit and true inspiration.

" I'm really proud of how brave and confident she's been through all of

this, " Sue Sacilotto said. " If it was me, I think I would have hidden, but

she hasn't been afraid and has committed her own time to show people you can

lead a good life with this disease. "

One of Sacilotto's biggest gripes about living with MCTD are the

regular trips to the doctor to monitor her condition. As a Saugus High

School junior trying to balance homework with a full slate of

extracurricular activities, she admitted devoting a day to medical tests can

be frustrating with so little time to spare.

When people hear that Sacilotto has arthritis, they are often surprised

to find out someone so young can be diagnosed with the disease. She said

that shouldn't be the case as arthritis doesn't discriminate when it comes

to age.

" The thing I want people to know is that arthritis can affect anybody, "

Sacilotto said. " It's not a disease that only impacts old people, it affects

people of all ages. "