Thank you for making the walk a success! Photo provided by Monte Swann Photography
Meet our 2009 Honoree
When Gracia High was 16, being diagnosed with a chronic disease was far from her mind. When she discovered a swollen and painful ankle she wrote it off and told herself she must have sprained it. But when the stiffness and swelling moved into her hands, she consulted a doctor.
She was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and promptly told of all the things she wouldn’t be able to do in her future, like walking and driving. Even through all the pain and doctor’s visits, Gracia never missed a day of high school. “School was my sense of normalcy,” she said. Gracia told very few people about her diagnosis. “I told a few close friends, but it was hard to explain to people that I had arthritis.”
“As of today, I have spent half my life with this disease doing the things the rheumatologist told me I wouldn’t. I drive, I live on my own, take care of myself and I work full time,” Gracia said. She has been in remission for four and a half years and says, “I will not let arthritis stop me.”
Event Schedule 9:00 a.m. Registration Kid's Zone activities Health Fair vendor booths Bow Wow Pageant T-shirt Contest Music & Fun!
10:00 a.m. Walk Begins
11:00 a.m. After Party
At the Event…
Choose from a three-mile or one-mile walk route
Write an inspirational message on the Wall of Heroes
Wear a blue “hero” hat if you have arthritis
Enjoy the fun, festivities and free health information
Register Today
Register online today! Once you register, you can set up your own personal Web page and begin fund raising. Raise $100 or more and earn an official Arthritis Walk® T-shirt.
About the Arthritis Walk
The Arthritis Walk® is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis.
Get your company involved or recruit friends and family members to form a team. Best of all, walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis and know you’re making a difference by raising funds to support Arthritis Foundation research, public health and public policy efforts to improve the lives of people with arthritis.
By registering for the 2009 Arthritis Walk, you are also becoming a part of Let's Move Together®, a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation. Let's Move Together® encourages people to move to prevent or treat arthritis.
