UCB Announces the 2009 Winners of their Family RA Scholarship

SAN ANTONIO, TX — Don Arispe has three important groups in his life: His family, his faith, and the people he serves in San Antonio's tough Westside neighborhoods. Arispe has spent the last 30 years working with dozens of community-based initiatives to try and ...

Don Arispe

Texas student heading to California Institute of Integral Studies

SAN ANTONIO, TX — Don Arispe has three important groups in his life: His family, his faith, and the people he serves in San Antonio's tough Westside neighborhoods. Arispe has spent the last 30 years working with dozens of community-based initiatives to try and improve the lives of people living in one of the most economically disadvantaged, but culturally rich, areas in all of Texas. He is active with several nonprofit organizations as a board member and is building a community development consulting business. Arispe is also a lay ministry instructor at Oblate School of Theology.

At home Arispe and his wife are raising three children, including a son diagnosed with lymphoma and two children who live with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), a debilitating disease that attacks the joints and can cause severe pain and disability. His wife is also a JRA patient who has had three joint replacements in an attempt to regain the mobility JRA has taken from her.

Arispe remains upbeat despite these challenges with his family's health. He has been able to complete two master's degrees over the years and is now pursuing a doctoral degree from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

When not studying and working to improve the community, Arispe and his family try to stay active by gardening, enjoying golf, and taking a house boat across the country.

It is his academic drive and his ability to fight through the difficulties RA is presenting to his family that led him to be named one of the 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship winners. Arispe will receive $10,000 to continue his doctoral work.

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HUNTINGTON, NY — When Suzanne Barone was a young girl, she was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). After being introduced to the local Arthritis Foundation chapter, she was invited to participate in the 10th Annual Arthritis Foundation Telethon in Long ...

Suzanne Barone

New York student heading to The University of Richmond

HUNTINGTON, NY — When Suzanne Barone was a young girl, she was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). After being introduced to the local Arthritis Foundation chapter, she was invited to participate in the 10th Annual Arthritis Foundation Telethon in Long Island, New York. Her first impression was that it was very cold. She remembers sitting and shaking in a chair facing the television camera. She did not understand why the studio was so cold. She later learned the temperature was kept cold to counteract the heat given off by the studio lights. And despite her first "cold" appearance, Suzanne has gone on to appear 10 more times in the Arthritis Foundation's telethon. It is an experience she treasures.

"My JRA has given me the opportunity to do things my peers could not even imagine," said Barone. "Working with the Arthritis Foundation helped me become the person I am today and kept me up on the latest medical information about JRA. I am very thankful for that opportunity."

Barone went on to be a competitive swimmer in high school, play lacrosse, and participate in many school and organizational activities, including the Spanish Club, National Honor Society and the Spirit Club. She likes to sail, babysit and work as a lifeguard when not in school.

This ability to live beyond the boundaries of her JRA led to Barone's selection as one of the 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship winners. She will receive $10,000 to pursue her degree at The University of Richmond.

"Winning this scholarship meant that someone out there has an appreciation for what I go through everyday when dealing with RA," said Barone.

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Libertyville, IL — Julia Bleck is her own biggest motivator. Diagnosed at age 3 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), she had to grow up missing the things her classmates did. She could not participate in gym class. She had to watch from the sidelines as her friends played soccer ...

Julia Bleck

Illinois student continuing at Rice University

Libertyville, IL — Julia Bleck is her own biggest motivator. Diagnosed at age 3 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), she had to grow up missing the things her classmates did. She could not participate in gym class. She had to watch from the sidelines as her friends played soccer. She even had to battle the stigma of having to deal with people who thought she was contagious.

Now as a college freshman at Rice University in Texas, Bleck has a chance to continue to motivate herself to succeed. Her academic achievements and her ability to live beyond the boundaries of RA led her to be named one of the 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship winners. Bleck will receive $10,000 towards the costs of her mechanical engineering degree at Rice.

In high school, Bleck was a member of the National Honor Society, an Illinois State Scholar and president of the school's choir. She hopes to continue her singing in the university's choirs. She also was a fund raiser for the Chicago area Arthritis Foundation.

Bleck is also keeps up an active exercise routine. "Having arthritis slowed me down as a child, but it also taught me hard work and discipline," she said. "Arthritis allows me to respect my body, and while some my age may be abusing theirs with a variety of substances, I will not take that path."

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Nashville, TN — Taylor Cox grew up like a lot of kids. She played sports and the clarinet. But in middle school, what she thought was a nagging sports injury turned out to be more serious. She was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). From that point ...

Taylor Cox

Tennessee student continuing at Pepperdine

Nashville, TN — Taylor Cox grew up like a lot of kids. She played sports and the clarinet. But in middle school, what she thought was a nagging sports injury turned out to be more serious. She was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). From that point on, she was different. It took her longer to get to class. Friends asked her why she limped. Some even teased her, not understanding that RA is a chronic disease that attacks the joints in the body, sometimes causing pain and forcing people into wheelchairs. Cox realized many people, including adults, did not understand RA. She set out to change that.

Cox started the KARDed program — Kids Aware of Rheumatic Disease and Educated. What started out as a holiday fundraiser in her high school now includes 11 Nashville-area schools selling candy grams and Halloween bags to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. KARDed has raised over $52,000 in its first four years.

In addition to KARDed, Cox is active in school and her community. She was part of the Volunteer Girls State program where she was elected governor. She was part of the YMCA Youth Legislature and the Vanderbilt Young Scholars Program. She volunteers with Special Olympics, March of Dimes, and Junior Achievement among others and even found the time to do internships with Fox News and the Austrian Embassy in Shanghai, China.

For her academic achievements and her ability to live beyond the boundaries of RA, Cox was awarded a 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship to apply to her educational expenses at Pepperdine University.

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COLLINSVILLE, MS — Most people with six grandchildren are not normally preparing for the fall semester at college, but then, Dea Dickerson is not most women. The 49-year-old who suffers from RA is going back to school after a 29-year absence ...

Dea Dickerson

Mississippi student continuing at Mississippi State

COLLINSVILLE, MS — Most people with six grandchildren are not normally preparing for the fall semester at college, but then, Dea Dickerson is not most women. The 49-year-old who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis is going back to school after a 29-year absence with the help of the UCB Family RA Scholarship.

Dickerson was diagnosed shortly before her 40th birthday. "It was hardest in my relationship with my grandkids," said Dickerson. "I used to get them every weekend, but after the diagnosis, I had to cut back the time I spent with them."

Determined not to let a chronic illness define her, Dickerson sought medical help that has returned her to work and allows her to spend more time with her grandchildren. She was even able to go back to school, receiving her associate's degree this past spring graduatins with high honors. Now her sights are set on a bachelor's degree in accounting.

"I vowed I was not going to let RA get me down," said Dickerson. I've never asked, ‘Why me?' I know God has a plan for me and I am thankful He has given me a purpose in life."

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REVERE, MA — Nina Dineen spent her summer doing what many college students dream of—studying abroad in Europe. The trip was filled with many great memories of sites, foods, and experiences that this Emerson College student will never forget. But it was one ...

Nina Dineen

Massachusetts student continuing at Emerson College

REVERE, MA —Nina Dineen spent her summer doing what many college students dream of— studying abroad in Europe. The trip was filled with many great memories of sites, foods, and experiences that this Emerson College student will never forget. But one experience on public transportation while in Italy left an impression she would rather not remember. She was pushed out of her chair and slapped by an irate Italian couple who apparently took her for a lazy American kid. What they did not know is that Dineen suffers from polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), a chronic condition that attacks the joints in the body making it hard to move and confining some people to a wheelchair.

Dineen is occasionally forced to use a wheelchair, wear custom knee braces, and use a cane. She was diagnosed with JRA at the age of 2 and has always struggled with athletic activities. But in high school she found she excelled in speech and debate. At Emerson she competes in poetry and prose reading for the school's Forensics team.

"Forensics gives me a chance to be part of a team and it is a great outlet for me, especially since I could not be on the sports teams my friends were on when I was younger," said Dineen. "Life is more rewarding if I keep telling myself to keep going."

She also writes for her school magazine and plans to pursue a master's degree and eventually a doctorate. Dineen's demonstrated academic excellence and her ability to overcome diversity led to her being named a 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship winner. She will receive $10,000 to help complete her studies at Emerson.

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Vadnais Heights, MN — Justine Eggers, a student from Vadnais Heights, has never known life without RA. She was diagnosed at the tender age of 18 months. It is the challenges she has faced that ...

Justine Eggers

Minnesota student heading to Minnesota-Duluth

Vadnais Heights, MN —Justine Eggers, a student from Vadnais Heights, has never known life without RA. She was diagnosed at the tender age of 18 months. It is the challenges she has faced that motivates this young woman to embark on a career in the medical profession beginning this year at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Eggers is entering school as one of 31 students nationwide to be awarded the UCB Family RA Scholarship. This $10,000 award is given to students who show academic excellence while showing an ability to live beyond the boundaries of RA.

Her experiences with RA have led her to volunteer with organizations that help those with special needs including the Arthritis Foundation and the State of Minnesota Special Health Needs Program. She has volunteered at summer camps and spoken at youth conferences.

But Eggers also enjoys some of the things a typical teenager does. She plays softball, and likes to rollerblade and spend time with friends. "I believe that through knowledge we can all be a little bit more understanding and accept people for who they are," she says.

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HERSHEY, PA — Helping others has always been a part of Paul Felker's makeup. He speaks to patient groups and volunteers his time with the Arthritis Foundation. He runs a summer camp for children and plays his guitar and piano at children's events and in church. He ...

Paul Felker

Pennsylvania student continuing at Widener University

HERSHEY, PA —Helping others has always been a part of Paul Felker's makeup. He speaks to patient groups and volunteers his time with the Arthritis Foundation. He runs a summer camp for children and plays his guitar and piano at children's events and in church. He coaches youth athletic leagues. Felker does all this while struggling with RA.

At times, it got so bad for Felker that he required hospitalization and the use of a wheelchair. But he is adamant about not letting RA define who he is. "I use terms to explain my battle with this disease such as wrestle, fight, and wage war against this invader to my body," he said. "I almost look at it like a boxing match. This round belongs to me."

Diagnosed as a child, Felker had to give up his dream of playing in the NFL. But RA gave him a chance to concentrate on music and helping others. He completed a bachelor's degree and then went on to get a master's degree in social work. Recently, he and his wife added another responsibility to his busy schedule: the birth of twins.

For his ability to succeed academically and in the community, Felker has been awarded a $10,000 UCB Family RA Scholarship to apply toward his expenses at Widener University.

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FORKED RIVER, NJ — Peter Galati is a dean's list student at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and hopes to go into politics or government service when his college days are over. This makes him like many other students who are pursuing a bachelor's degree. But what ...

Peter Galati

New Jersey student continuing at Stockton College

FORKED RIVER, NJ —Peter Galati is a dean's list student at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and hopes to go into politics or government service when his college days are over. This makes him like many other students who are pursuing a bachelor's degree. But what sets Galati apart from many students is the fact that he suffers from RA, which has left him confined to a wheelchair. He was diagnosed with RA as a toddler and has missed out on many of the activities many children take for granted.

"I've always tried to live my life with the view that this is the hand I was dealt and I can either sit around and feel bad about it, or say this is who I am and strive to be the best that I can," said Galati.

Galati is a former resident of Brooklyn, New York and is a big fan of the New York Yankees. He has volunteered at community Thanksgiving dinners and with the New York Aquarium. After relocating to New Jersey he learned to drive a specially fitted minivan designed for those in wheelchairs, giving him independence so he no longer has to depend on others to get around.

For his academic achievements and ability to succeed while dealing with RA, Galati has been named a 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship winner. He will receive $10,000 to continue his studies at Stockton College.

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SAMMAMISH, WA — Victoria Giordano tried to ignore the pain as a child. She was an outdoor type who liked camping, hiking and tennis. Trying to ignore what her doctors told her was RA, Giordano eventually had to slow down when she developed ...

Victoria Giordano

Washington student continuing at USC

SAMMAMISH, WA —Victoria Giordano tried to ignore the pain as a child. She was an outdoor type who liked camping, hiking and tennis. Trying to ignore what her doctors told her was RA, Giordano eventually had to slow down when she developed stress factures playing tennis and wound up temporarily in a wheelchair. Her RA was forcing her to slow down.

But refusing to give into a disease that robs the body's joints of their function, Giordano continues to stay active by taking martial arts classes, working out, snow skiing and hiking when she can. She is also active in her sorority and working part time for a public relations agency. She has maintained her dean's list 4.0 GPA and continues to volunteer for several charitable organizations.

"I've always been very competitive and despite the roadblocks RA has placed on me, I have learned you can overcome them and it motivates me to not let RA control my life," she said.

Giordano's academic and community achievements led her to being named a 2009 UCB RA Family Scholarship winner. Giordano will receive $10,000 to continue her education at USC.

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