Support the Arthritis Foundation and the54 million Americanswith arthritis.
Meet Cassidy Middleton
Cassidy Middleton is a happy, thriving 8-year-old who has a loving affinity for Minnie Mouse and spending her days horseback riding in the warm, Tucson, Arizona, sun.
2013年12月，卡西迪被诊断出患有自闭症，米德尔顿家族的世界从此改变。大部分时间都是治疗师和预约，就在事情开始稳定下来的时候，卡西迪的母亲卡里(Kari)注意到，作为一个3岁的孩子，卡西迪“膝盖有点弯曲”，走路“有点滑稽”。After consulting with their pediatrician, who referred the family to a pediatric rheumatologist, Cassidy was diagnosed withjuvenile arthritis (JA).
Since her diagnosis, JA has taken over the Middletons’ daily lives. They’ve had to figure out how to create a shared calendar for all their appointments and to ensure Cassidy’s medication is given on time. Cassidy has had to deal with thedaily pain of arthritisand the rollercoaster ride of symptoms that come with it on both good days and bad. JA also causes Cassidy to miss more days of school than most of her peers.
“Although you’d never know it by her activity level or ‘puffy’joints, Cassidy doesn’t slow down,” says Kari.
Cassidy’s favorite things are Minnie Mouse, cuddle time, books and her heating pad. “This evil disease has taken away more than any of us would like to admit, and it’s time weraise awarenessandfund researchto find a cause so that no parent has to hear, ‘Your child has juvenile arthritis.’”
The Middletons connected with the Arthritis Foundation shortly after Cassidy was diagnosed. “I actually Googled it and found theArthritis Foundation,” Kari says, “and within a month we were connected with Allie [Avishai] and the local Arizona office.”
“The Arthritis Foundation has given us hope, support and an extended family we never once thought we’d be a part of,” says Kari. “We’ve been able toconnect with other familiesand young adults. Having a great network both locally and online is so helpful and supportive.”
You cansupport Cassidy and the Arthritis Foundation bydonatingon her behalf before the end of the year. When you give to the Arthritis Foundation, youhelp support our commitment to help 54 million Americanswith arthritis say Yes. Give, so Cassidy can say Yes to childhood — to Minnie Mouse and horseback rides, to books and cuddle time.
Related Resources:
- JA Mom: I Know Just Enough to Know I Don’t Know Enough
- Become an Arthritis Advocate
- Learn more about our Live Yes! campaign