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Real Profiles of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Photos © Emi Zanelli

Name?

Emi Zanelli

Age?

I’m 13 years old.

Location?

New Jersey, United States

How long have you lived with RA?

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 11 and its only been about 2 years since my mother (a nurse) assumed I had Lyme Disease but Blood test revealed my ANA count was really high.

What advice would you give to someone who has just been diagnosed with RA?

Any advice I would give to somebody with RA would be to hang in there.  When I say this I don’t mean to take some Tylenol (only acetaminophen because it wont interfere with my medicine) and lay down on the coach for the rest of the day- as tempting as it sounds!  Just make the best of it, no pain no gain.

Do you use any mobility aids?

I do not use any mobility aids

How has living with RA helped to improve your life?

The one good thing about living with a chronic auto immune disease is that when you are on a “good day” you realize that it makes you stronger.  It truly makes me (a young teenage girl) feel like somebody who has really had to experience more than anything my family or friends have ever gone through, and this to me is the greatest feeling that will always over win the aching in my joints, the throbbing in my head, and the nausea in my stomach.  So yes for all the new kids (even newer to me) just keep holding on because trust me it will pay off.

Do you have any visible signs of RA?

My only visible signs or RA are the occasional swollen joints in my hands, knees and feet.  Also I have limited motion in my ankles, wrist, neck, and hips.

Can you please describe some of your favorite coping strategies for living with RA?

The best strategy for coping with RA when having a bad day is to vent.  I never really throw a huge fit to anybody in particular, because nobody really understands to much but sometimes if you need to complain than complain. I always wear a simple necklace that was made by the RA foundation  it has a silver ring that says “hope” on it.  I never take it off and it is always just a small reminder to “hang in there”.

Can you please describe your current medical (traditional and alternative) treatments?

At the moment I am on Volteran which seems to be working alright, better than my recently used Naproxican.

Is there anything else about yourself that you would like to share?

I am really athletic.  It obviously can be a little difficult now and than but some how I make it work.  I love to figure skate, run, play tennis and especially Lacrosse.  I would have such a tough time surviving without my precious sports so even if I’m having a tough day and my knees are bugging me I still try.  When I run or play lacrosse (my 2 favorite) it feels like all of my pain, worries and fears disappear, right before my speedy sneakers (stuffed with arch supports of course!)

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