Debbie Pettigrew, 43

I was walking home from school in 1966, I was nine years old, and it was a warm, beautiful fall afternoon. I was always a very active energetic child who could out run, out jump, and out talk anybody. However today I was having difficulty getting home.  As I walked in the door, I showed my Mom my knees. They were swollen, red, and very hot; she immediately called my Dad who in turn called his friend, Bill.  Bill told my parents my symptoms looked like rheumatic fever.  I would be diagnosed with JRA. This was to be the end of my running, jumping, but thank God, not my talking!

Since then I have undergone several surgeries including total hip replacements and revisions, knee replacements, ankle fusions. I have never asked myself why me because I say why not me. God has blessed me in other ways and anyway he did not take my voice.  I have been able to be an advocate for people with disabilities.  I have been able to show everyone that having a disability is not the end of the world.  It is learning to do in another way.  

My baby sister was born in May 1966, and sadly my arthritis overshadowed what should have been a wonderful time in my parent’s lives.  They were torn between a new baby and a sick child.  Of course, I had to be a priority.  This will always make me sad.  She should have been the priority.  Instead my parents were forced to leave her while taking me to doctors, hospitals, and daily treatments.

Arthritis has made me stronger and grateful because I am blessed to have the love and support of my family.  I am blessed to have healthy children and grandchildren.  I am blessed because I am able to walk.  I will never forget the words one of my doctors said to me.  When I asked how many other children has he done hip replacements on, he said, "None, the rest are in wheelchairs."  I have refused to let arthritis take me down, I will continue to fight and help to take it down.  I have seen many changes in 43 years and hope to see the day when arthritis is no longer a threatening disease.  When I walk in the Arthritis Walk event in Denver, I walk to help beat this age old disease that does not only strike those in old age.  I am asking you to join me by walking with me or in prayers.

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