Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is a type of arthritis that affects children and teenagers aged 16 and younger. It has unknown causes and can differ from adult arthritis in its presentation and effects. The Match and Mentor Program connects families of children with JIA to mentors who have personal experience with childhood arthritis to provide social support through discussion and management tips, especially during the difficult period following diagnosis. The program aims to help families effectively manage JIA.

1. Mentor
&
WHAT IS JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC
ARTHRITIS (JIA)?
Many people think that arthritis is something only
old people get. Children and teenagers get a type
of arthritis called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
“Juvenile”means young (16 years of age or younger)
and“idiopathic”means the cause is not known. JIA is
also sometimes called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
(JRA).
There are some differences between arthritis in
children/teenagers and arthritis in adults. For example,
one of the most common forms of arthritis in adults,
called osteoarthritis, is not common in children or
teenagers with JIA. There are also some types of
arthritis in children and teenagers that do not occur
in adults. It can often take longer for children and
teenagers with JIA to be diagnosed because many
people (even doctors) do not realize that children and
teenagers can get arthritis!
JIA in children and teenagers may affect their
growth and can also get inflammation in their eyes.
Medications used to treat arthritis are generally the
same in all age groups. However, doses need to be
adjusted for children and teenagers based on their
weight.
Match & Mentor Program
As you probably know, a diagnosis of childhood
arthritis can be scary, stressful, confusing, and hard
to handle for both parents and children. Proper social
support is important, particularly in the early days
following diagnosis, and many parents and children
report that mentoring relationships have given them
the support and strength they need to effectively
manage this difficult time.
The Match and Mentor Program was developed in
partnership with the Janeway Children’s Hospital, to
help families connect with others who have experience
with childhood arthritis for discussion, management
tips, and social support. Our mentors are able to share
their experiences and are available to help others when
they need it most.
Get in touch!
To connect with one of our
mentors please contact us.
The Arthritis Society
31 Peet St. Suite 223 | St. John’s, NL | A1B 3W8
1.709.579.8190 | info@nl.arthritis.ca
facebook.com/NLArthritis @TheArthSocNL
arthritis.ca
PROGRAM
CHILDHOOD ARTHRITIS
Mentor
&
PROGRAM
CHILDHOOD ARTHRITIS

2. Jenna Small
My earliest memories are
coloured by the juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis I
developed when there were
just three candles on my
birthday cake. The disease
spread to 80 per cent of my
joints, as well as to my eyes.
Being a three-year-old flower girl at my uncle’s wedding
with knees so swollen I required help down the aisle;
playing tag at recess and not being able to move well
enough, always being“it”; knee surgery prior to my
Grade 8 graduation; being called“gimpy”in high school;
spending gym class in the resource room.
These are my memories of a childhood spent with
arthritis.
I pushed through by joining a gymnastics team and
reaching the highest provincial level in Ontario. While
competing, I needed several surgeries and joint
injections. Despite all this, I endured pain, but never
suffered.
Arthritis has had a big impact on my life. I don’t want
anyone to go through what I did. I really want to help
fund research, especially into childhood arthritis.
Michaela Brophy
When I was 18 months old, my
knees popped and I was rushed
to the Janeway emergency
room. They preformed a knee
tap and after a week in the
Janeway I was diagnosed with
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.
My prognosis was uncertain;
five of my joints had popped and my mother was told it
was a possibility that I would bein a wheelchair by the
time I was 16.
The first time I really understood that arthritis could
affect my ability to participate in physical activity was
when I was unable to finish the Duke of Edinburgh
award because I physically could not complete the
Gold hike. The mandatory gym class during high school
made me acutely aware that arthritis is an invisible
disease, as my teacher did not believe me when I
couldn’t participate.
Over the years, I learned to predict when a flare up is
coming on and adjust my daily activity.
I am still a very active person: I go to the gym, run, and
lift weights; but at the age of 21 I have accepted the fact
that my arthritis is an invisible disease that I will have to
learn to accommodate in my lifetime. Because of this, I
want to help others who are going through what I went
through!
Leigh-Ann Payne
We had just moved into our
new home, my husband
just accepted a new job
offshore, I gave birth to our
third child, and then the
unthinkable happened.
Looking back, there were
signs of a problem with
Faythe as early as six months old. She never liked like
her jumperoo and was a late walker. She would always
fall down more often than she could stand up. Her left
knee eventually started to swell, and within days she
couldn’t straighten her leg.
Faythe was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic
Arthritis at just sixteen months. It was like an out of
body experience. I thought the diagnosis was wrong;
arthritis does not affect children.
The first few months were beyond overwhelming. Her
Rheumatologist put her on an aggressive treatment
plan of medications and physiotherapy.
There have been many challenges for our family
over the years. I was told I was going to have to stop
working, and hire a nanny on several occasions by
different medical professionals. I decided to keep my
job, and forgo the nanny - I was going to take the super
mom approach!
I cannot say it was easy. Since her diagnosis, Faythe’s
arthritis has moved its way into many joints in her
body. There are still many days where the pain is so
unbearable she cannot put her feet on the floor.
Watching your child in pain is not easy. I often worry
about kind of quality of life she will have. Will she play
sports? How much school will she miss? Will she be
able to keep up? How will this affect my other children?
Is her arthritis going to get worse?
As a family, we take it day by day. We remain optimistic
about her future, and do our part to support The
Arthritis Society and raise awareness of Juvenile Arthritis.
Our Mentors
These are just some of our mentors. If you would like to connect with other mentors,
or become a mentor yourself please contact us.
1.709.579.8190 | info@nl.arthritis.ca