When a child or teen is diagnosed withjuvenile arthritis(JA), they might feel alone or not able to do activities they’ve done easily in the past. Art for Arthritis, an Arthritis Foundation fundraising event being held in three cities in September, gives children and teens diagnosed with JA or a rheumatic disease a feeling of togetherness and creative expression. Through these life-changing events, kids are paired with a professional artist and together, they turn a potentially challenging and painful situation into beautiful and inspiring pieces of art.
2013年，吉莉安·里德被诊断出患有幼年特发性关节炎(JIA)，她的父亲约瑟夫(Joseph)觉得有必要围上马车。他相信他们的儿科风湿病医生，并想让他们的家人在创伤时期保持亲密。吉莉安的妈妈，金伯利，想要加入关节炎基金会的社区。She found a flyer aboutArt for Arthritis Kansas Citywhile visiting their pediatric rheumatologist. The idea that Jillian could work with a professional artist and enjoy a creative outlet piqued their interest and they signed Jillian up for the event.
“第一年，与她的艺术家一起工作，看到合作和过程是很棒的，”约瑟夫说。“在我看到吉莉安的变化后，这改变了我之前不想参与的心态。我们意识到她是多么需要见见其他患有关节炎的孩子，并有这样的经历。”
Now, the Reid family is very involved. Joseph serves on the Kansas City Leadership Board and spoke at the 2016 JA Conference in Philadelphia. Jillian, now age 9 (she turns 10 this week), was the 2015 Walk to Cure Arthritis Kansas City Youth Honoree and is participating in Art for Arthritis for a second time this fall.
Jillian’s 2016 mentor artist first met with her while she was getting an infusion at Children’s Mercy. Her Mentor Artist, Scribe, is also theartist-in-residenceat Children’s Mercy. “That first day, Scribe drew her a cheetah,” says Joseph. “It’s an experience she will treasure always, working with the artists. It brings us joy to see way she glows when mixing paints or putting on a mask to spray paint.”
Taylor Van Emmerik was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis when he was 9. Now, at 13, he will also be participating in Art for Arthritis in Sioux Falls for a second time. Taylor’s favorite part of Art for Arthritis was in 2015 when someone bought his painting and gave it back to him.
“Art for Arthritis is important to us because of the fundraising that happens and the awareness that it brings,” says Taylor’s mom, Jodi. “It’s amazing how as you’re sitting there visiting, people come for different reasons and the event helps them realize how important it is to support kids with JA and their families.”
In the three years since Taylor’s diagnosis, he has gone to Camp Cambria, a Minnesota JA Camp. He is always trying to recruit other kids in Sioux Falls to come to camp, it’s his favorite part of the summer. Taylor also enjoys the release Art for Arthritis brings. “I feel calm and relaxed when creating art,” says Taylor. “It feels like I can let everything out when I’m working with my artist.”
Taylor and Jillian both agree that participating in Art for Arthritis, whether it is in Sioux Falls or Kansas City, helps them feel like they aren’t alone. “It’s important to me because when all the kids do art and we auction them off, they get money for arthritis to find a cure,” says Jillian. “It’s fun and I feel really good when I get to do it.” Creating pieces of art gives them and other participants an outlet for expression and helps support the JA fight.
To learn more about upcoming Art for Arthritis events in Kansas or South Dakota, visitarthritis.org/WichitaArtorarthritis.org/SiouxFallsArt.
- Art for Arthritis Kansas City– September 9, 2016
- Art for Arthritis Wichita– September 24, 2016
- Art for Arthritis Sioux Falls– September 30, 2016