To many people, St. Patrick’s Day is a day for wearing green and shouts of Erin Go Bragh! It’s a day of parades, parties and Irish celebration. But for 4-year-old Ryann Hotaling, St. Patrick’s Day 2007 was the first day she was unable to walk.
Her mother, Casey Hotaling, described Ryann as waking up that morning with a limp, `so I carried her downstairs,` she said.
`Ten minutes later she was still limping and complaining about her knee,` Hotaling said. `When I looked at it, it was twice the size of the other one, so I brought her to the doctors.`
According to Hotaling, it took the doctors only a few moments to determine that Ryann has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, a version of a disease that affects the joints in the human body that afflicts children.
Doctors did bloodwork and testing to ensure that the disease Ryann had was, in fact, arthritis. Hotaling monitored Ryann’s swelling for six weeks, and saw no change.
`To be honest with you, I didn’t even know that it could happen to a child. When the doctor told me, I was just in complete shock, and I think that it’s just a common misconception that children cannot get arthritis,` said Hotaling. `It’s shocking as a parent to hear your child has rheumatoid arthritis.`
Hotaling said that when Ryann was diagnosed, there were few options as far as specialists who work with the disease, and even now, the family has to travel to Massachusetts for Ryann to see the doctor.
But more than a year later, Ryann is learning to deal with her disease on a daily basis, even though some days are harder than others.
`She deals with morning sickness every morning. It can go anywhere from half an hour to even worse,` said Hotaling, `It takes her a little while to get warmed up. When she’s having a bad flare, even walking the mall or playing in the park is difficult for her.`
However, last year, Ryann’s family began to take action in advocating for her disease and spreading awareness about a condition that some days leaves her paralyzed. By creating a team for the Northeastern New York chapter of the National Arthritis Foundation, the Hotalings are able to raise money for the foundation, which helps those suffering from arthritis, and educate those who know little about the disease.
This year, Ryann has been given the title of 2008 Northeastern New York Child Honoree.
Her mother said Ryann’s team, called `Ryann’s Roses,` has set a goal to have 100 people walk at the Arthritis Walk, scheduled for May 10, and to raise between $58,000 and $60,000 for the foundation. Casey and her husband, Chad, owners of downtown Albany’s Pearl and Envy Lounge, are confident that by the time of the walk, they will have met those goals.
Ryann has support from several places, including her Daisy Girl Scout troupe.
Jackie Bellinger, Ryann’s Daisy Troupe Leader, as well as neighbor and family friend, said that while the Girl Scout organization will not allow its members to participate in any fundraising event, many of the girls will be walking as Ryann’s friends.
`I personally think it’s important because I think [her parents] are trying to teach her how to be proactive in her own life with this, and they’re starting it at an early age, which I think is great. My husband is actually sponsoring the team and making the T-shirts,` said Bellinger.
Rainbow Doemel, director of development for the northeastern New York chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, said that Ryann was selected as this year’s honoree because of her vibrant personality and enthusiasm toward life.
`She’s got a great smile and a great outlook even though she’s in pain,` said Doemel, `Being 5 and wanting to play and run, it is very hard for her.`
According to Doemel, this year’s fundraising goal for the event is to raise $600,000.
Doemel said at the walk, which will be held this year at the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, Ryann will be one of two honorees.
The sixth annual event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m, and the walk will begin at 10 a.m.
Walk options include a track or off-road trail and can be 1 to 3 miles.
Casey said Ryann’s team has not yet decided on the distance they would be walking. At least year’s walk, Ryann spent most of the walk riding in a stroller due to pain.
Ryann, who did not have much to say during an interview, did firmly state, `I do not like arthritis.`
Her family, including parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, will be walking on Ryann’s team this year, including Ryann’s 3-year-old brother, who likes to call himself `B` and will be riding in a stroller.
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