Hi! My name is Maddie and I am ten years old. I live with my mom, dad and 5 year old sister Emma in Cokato, MN. I am going into 5th grade. I love to read, write stories and poems, dance, play outside, play Wii and ride my bike. I have a dog named Mollie and two cats named Max and Milo.
I was diagnosed with JDM just after I turned three in 2002. I. I got IVIG treatments at Gillette Children's Hospital took medicine at home for about 2 years. I was in remission for about three years, but my arthritis and JDM came back, so I got IV's at the hospital again. Now I seem to be doing better and my labs are better, so I went off my methotrexate and IV's and just take placquinil. I go to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul. I really love my rheumatologist, Dr. Akin. She's really nice!
Maddie is now a senior at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. She is on the lacrosse team, and is active on the handbell choir, and work with the chaplain's office. She is majoring in psychology and applying to grad schools to become a Child Life Specialist. I'm sure she would have more to say, but to be here after being dx when she turned three with 15 years of IVIG, methotrexate, prednisone and what was called an "intractable case" she is amazing!
