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Zachary Fuhrer, 12
Carrollton, OH
My son, Zachary, has been diagnosed with JRA for almost 9 years now. He spent a whole year running a fever, a high fever, once a month. It was a very frustrating year. The doctors kept telling us it was a fever of unknown origin. Finally, a different doctor recommended that we see an infectious disease specialist. After lots of tests, and no new information, he ran the fever again. Only this time when the fever ended, his knee swelled.
So they sent us to a rheumatologist. Zach has been on several medications at different times since that first appointment. Thankfully, his current treatment seems to work.
We are still having that awful time, however, with “Why me?” Zach is a pre-teen and wants to be like everyone else. Camp Wekandu helped him to understand that he isn't alone.
Zach is such a brave person. I love him dearly and would gladly take any of this for him. He bravely walks in and tells the nurses what arm for the IV and takes it without a fuss. This disease is slowly robbing him of his love of sports. Football is getting harder and harder and just this year he missed a lot of hunting with his dad and brother.
Basketball was a disaster last year. If it wasn't for the wonderful team of doctors and nurses that take such wonderful care of him, this time in our lives would be so much worse. They help him to understand he isn't alone. They got him to go to camp last summer. And they continue to be there whenever he needs them.
Zach is a strong, brave boy. And he is my hero.
