In her 24 years Ginny Winkelman has faced more challenges than most deal with their entire lives. At the age of four, she began experiencing pain in her neck, which soon spread to her knees, hands and ankles. Ginny became a porcelain doll, crying whenever she tried to walk or move. After three months of tests, she was finally diagnosed with Stills Disease, a form of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Since her diagnosis Ginny has experienced a great deal of pain. At the ages of 13 and 14 she underwent hip replacement surgery, and she now has arthritis in100 percent of her joints. Ginny’s arthritis limited her to half days during her senior year in high school, but she remained very active in her art classes and speech team.
After high school, Ginny went to college for photography. Although attending college took a heavy toll on her health, she persevered by taking it one day at a time. Today, Ginny continues to remain positive. “There are worse things that could be happening to me. I can still use my legs and hands,” she said.
Throughout her childhood, Ginny’s mother stressed the importance of not letting her arthritis control her life. “Even though the doctors would tell me not to do something my mom always told me to try,” Ginny said. She has taken that advice to heart and now enjoys painting, reading, off-roading and being involved with Women of Today.
Matthew Burg
At the age of five, Matthew Burg’s life was turned upside down. Matthew began experiencing an ongoing rash, high fever, swollen lymph nodes, along with neck and jaw stiffness. After three months of numerous tests and doctor visits he was diagnosed with systemic onset polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the rarest and most difficult to treat type of juvenile arthritis. This once active child spent the summer on the couch, unable to play or even eat his birthday cake because it was just too painful.
Today, at age 7, Matthew battles daily with swollen and painful joints and often has difficulty completing simple tasks such as getting dressed. To treat his disease and keep symptoms under control, Matthew must take a handful of pills, daily injections and trips to Children’s Hospital for IV infusions.
Although Matthew will often ask why he had to get arthritis, he doesn’t let it get him down. His mother gives him daily injections, but he does not complain about the pain. He does not dwell on the activities his peers can do that he cannot. Despite his limitations, Matthew remains a very active child. He is determined to play baseball this summer as a catcher even though both his knees are affected by arthritis. Matthew aspires to be like Joe Mauer, his favorite Twins player. Matthew also enjoys riding his bike and playing outdoors.
His family said Matthew is the bravest person they know. “He never lets his disease get him down and takes his “flare ups” in stride,” his mother said.
Walk with us this spring
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.
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.
If you have questions, please contact: Lindsey Kumlien lkumlien@arthritis.org 651-644-4108
