Kristy McPherson Reaches out to Juvenile Arthritis Patient

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Avnet Classic: Kristy McPherson Reaches out to Juvenile Arthritis Patient

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/680989-avnet-classic-kristy-mcpherson-reaches\

-out-to-juvenile-arthritis-patient

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or JIA, is a term that most probably are not

familiar with.

It is the most common form of persistent arthritis in children today. It

currently effects more than 50,000 children in the United States.

Early sign of JIA may be limping in the morning. Some children have just one

or two flare-ups. Symptoms can come and go. Others have symptoms that never

go away. JIA can even go as far as causing growth problems in some children.

It may begin with a swollen knuckle, a spiking fever, or an unexplainable

rash. But no matter what symptoms appear, hearing the word " arthritis " in a

diagnosis for a child can be unexpected and confusing.

LPGA Tour player Kristy McPherson and her family are all too familiar with

all of these terms. The McPherson's know what it sounds like and feels to

hear the words arthritis in a diagnosis of their child.

Kristy was first diagnosed with having a rare form of arthritis at the age

of 11. At the time, the doctors told her there was a good chance she would

never be able to play golf, or any other competitive sport, again.

To an 11 year old girl that spent so much time practicing, traveling and

playing a game that brought her so much love, the news must have been heart

breaking.

McPherson not only set out to beat this diagnosis, she eclipsed it by

playing at the highest level of women's professional golf in the world.

Kristy has since recently joined the Board of Directors for the Arthritis

National Research Foundation to be a national spokesperson for arthritis

research and tell people that arthritis is not just a condition that is

found in adults, it can affect children as well.

Enter Six-year-old Warren of Fultondale, Al. Fultondale is about 260

miles north of Mobile, Al. where the LPGA is currently playing the Avnet

LPGA Classic this week.

, like McPherson was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at a young

age-two years old to be exact in 's case.

According to her parents, actually spends more time in doctors'

offices and hospitals than playing outdoors. Something no one, especially a

young child, should never have to endure.

Tests have also shown that her juvenile arthritis has also begun affecting

her vision causing Uveitis, an inflammatory condition that if left untreated

can lead to blindness.

Though going through all the tests, doctors' appointments, chemotherapy

drugs and hospitalizations, has a great pestilential smile and drive

inside her that many of us could learn from.

and McPherson were brought together through their support of the

Arthritis National Research Foundation. Kristy recently sent young a

handwritten personal letter, photo and autographed cap to from her

play at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

being the fighter like her idol Kristy is and was, grabbed her toy

golf club and went outdoors to hit golf balls in her backyard.

In the letter to , Kristy told her about her own struggle with

juvenile arthritis, adding a personal message to her.

McPherson said:

" As a player on the LPGA Tour, I want to help tell the world that kids get

arthritis, too. You can, like me, be among the best in the world at whatever

you want to do and wherever your heart and passion leads you.

" I hope you can come see me play in when I'm in Alabama. We'll have some fun

and tell the world how we're beating this disease every day. "

So as the LPGA Tour is set to tee it up in Mobile, Al. at the Avnet LPGA

Classic, young Warren will get her wish to meet her idol Kristy

McPherson face-to-face.

I am sure they will share many smiles and laughs together when they finally

meet, while also bringing awareness to this serious condition that affects

more and more children every day.

Since 1952, the Arthritis National Research Foundation has funded over 165

promising young investigators with innovative arthritis research projects.

The research has resulted in the discovery of TNF, the molecule that

initiates inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, breakthroughs in gene

therapy and treatments currently in clinical trials for arthritis patients.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America.