Hi, my name is Samantha. I love school, especially Math! I love to draw anything and everything. I love crafts and making pretty things. I really love my friends. Until this disease hit me I was in Honor Roll at my school. I was diagnosed with JDM on Sept. 15,2006. At that time I couldn't walk, sit up, dress myself, feed myself, or do anything but watch tv (literally). I was in alot of pain and anyone even touching me hurt. The doctor says my enzyme levels were: Creatine = 30,000+ (suppose to be around 160) and adolase = 112 (suppose to be under 7.6). The doctors and my mom started me on Predisolone and Methotrexate. The pain finally started going away. I started physical therapy and I have a really cool home-school teacher so I won't fall to far behind. I get to go back to my classroom and visit with my classmates. They have all been wonderful. Some of my classmates and my really awesome 4th Grade teacher marched in a parade in support of me and helping with this disease. They have done fundraisers to help my family and I with all the medical bills that weren't covered plus all the driving we've done. My mom has put 9,000 miles on our car since Sept. 2006 to January 2007. My classmates have made so many cards that my mom doesn't know where to put them all. They all so made me a huge banner that is now hanging by my bed. Its January 2007 now and I can walk in little spurts. The pain sometimes comes back, but for the most part the pain is gone. I can feed myself now, which is great because I like to eat allot now. I can do more and beat my sister up easier now, whether I roll on the floor or run like a person on stilts. I try, thats all I can do. I have gained some weight due to the medication. I have also noticed alot more body hair all over. But, no matter what I am getting better. I am getting stronger and we don't even have to use the wheelchair much at home anymore. My goal for me is to be able to get off the floor by myself so I can back to school by March. That is what my physical therapist says I have to do in order to go back to school so that is what I am going to do!!!! My mom, my papa, my teachers, my friends, and even some wonderful people I don't know have come together to support my family and me, so therefore I am thankful to all of you for being so wonderful and proving there are still people out there that care about others. Thank You!!! God bless all!!!