Surviver of JRA for 66 years
My name is Linda Martin. I am 73 years old and was diagnosed with quick-onset chronic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in 1959 by a Johns Hopkins rheumatologist. This came after a year of misdiagnosis by a family doctor.
Life with chronic illness
Over the years, I have undergone many surgeries due to the progression of my arthritis. Despite the challenges, I was able to have two healthy babies in my 20s. I’ve also been through two marriages and have worked as a CNA in a nursing home and later at a hospital in Maryland.
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Relocation and independence
In 2007, I moved to Florida for the warmer climate, which has been beneficial for my joints. Even now, I am able to ambulate, drive, and live independently, which I’m proud of. I continue to manage my condition with joint injections when necessary, and I live with chronic pain from the joint damage in areas that haven't been replaced with artificial joints.
The struggle with perceptions
Despite everything I go through, people often have no idea how much I suffer because I still appear healthy on the outside. It's a constant reminder that invisible illnesses can be deceiving to others, even though the pain is very real.
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