At the young age of two, Mariah Melin was diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Not long after, she was also diagnosed with iritis, which has required her to have more than ten surgeries and has left her legally blind in one of her eyes. “I can’t say that I ever remember life without arthritis,” Mariah said.
When Mariah was younger she loved running, but was forced to try something else due to the severe inflammation it caused in her joints. As a result of her arthritis she has had a synovectomy on her left knee, cortisone injections and numerous extractions of synovium fluid. When anyone tells her she can’t do something, Mariah takes it as a challenge to not let her arthritis hold her back.
Despite having to give up running, the Hermantown High School Junior joined the swim team and competed in the state Class A swim meet last fall. “I believe everything happens for a reason and I am thankful that I was able to discover my love for swimming,” Mariah said.
“Mariah has never complained or felt sorry for herself,” Mariah’s mother said. “She is an amazing swimmer and enjoys the activity no matter how hard she pushes herself and how much pain she is in. I am very lucky to have her as my daughter. She is an inspiration to our family and community.”
Mariah strives to remain active and to live her life like everyone else. “I don't think of myself as different,” Mariah said. “Arthritis may affect the things I do, but it doesn’t affect who I am.”
Walk with us this spring
The Arthritis Walk® is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis.
Get your company involved or recruit friends and family members to form a team. Best of all, walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis and know you’re making a difference by raising funds to support Arthritis Foundation research, public health and public policy efforts to improve the lives of people with arthritis.
By registering for the 2009 Arthritis Walk, you are also becoming a part of Let's Move Together®, a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation. Let's Move Together® encourages people to move to prevent or treat arthritis.
At the Event…
Choose from a three-mile or one-mile walk route
Write an inspirational message on the Wall of Heroes
Wear a blue “hero” hat if you have arthritis
Enjoy the fun, festivities and free health information
Register Today
Register online today! Once you register, you can set up your own personal Web page and begin fund raising. Raise $100 or more and earn an official Arthritis Walk® T-shirt.
If you have questions, please contact: Lindsey Kumlien lkumlien@arthritis.org 651-644-4108
