UCB Announces the 2009 Winners of their Family RA Scholarship

BRYAN, TX — Lynn McDaniel thinks of her bluegrass music as if it were a third child. She believes the songs she writes and performs hold some of the same characteristics as her sons. She created the songs, she nurtured the songs, they are a part of her. ...

Lynn McDaniel

TX student pursuing elementary education degree

BRYAN, TX — Lynn McDaniel thinks of her bluegrass music as if it were a third child. She believes the songs she writes and performs hold some of the same characteristics as her sons. She created the songs, she nurtured the songs, they are a part of her.

And while music comes easy to McDaniel, her health has been another story. She was diagnosed with RA in her early 20's after the birth of her first son. What was first thought to be only tendonitis turned into a deforming and painful experience. She tired easily; the medications—when she could afford them—were expensive; people stared at her hands. It was depressing for the young mother with two young sons.

"I didn't realize the scope of the disease," said McDaniel.

As McDaniel's doctors found better medications for her, things improved. She was able to devote time volunteering for a local child advocacy center and began playing in a bluegrass band. She had always sung in choirs in school and church, but bluegrass music became her passion.

"It is a fast, happy, and uplifting music form," she said.

Now McDaniel is returning to school to finish a degree in elementary education with the help of a scholarship from the UCB Rheumatoid Family RA Scholarship Program. "I'd love to be a teacher one day; there is so much joy and wonderment in the world."

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LEMONT, IL — Catherine McDermott loves animals. She enjoys spending time with her pets and working with a veterinary clinic and an equine therapy program. She likes animals so much that she wants them to be part of her professional life as a veterinarian once she ...

Catherine McDermott

Illinois student continuing at Augustana College

LEMONT, IL — Catherine McDermott loves animals. She enjoys spending time with her pets and working with a veterinary clinic and an equine therapy program. She likes animals so much that she wants them to be part of her professional life as a veterinarian once she completes her undergraduate degree at Augustana College. But McDermott will have to deal with more than rabies shots and heart worm medicines. That is because McDermott is also a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) patient and must deal with the consequences of a chronic illness that can cause severe pain and disability.

McDermott was an active high school student when she was diagnosed. She was a track-and-field athlete and on the swim team. She played in the marching band and was active in several school organizations. But when she was diagnosed with JRA, some of her more active pursuits had to take a back seat. She concentrated on her grades and refocused her activities from sport-related activities to more community-service-related activities.

She got involved with an area hospice program, a wildlife center, a therapy riding center and a cat adoption agency. "I try to keep everything in perspective," says McDermott. "I would never wish RA on anyone, but I would not be the same person without it. It has ushered many wonderful people and important lessons into my life."

For her continued academic success and community service, McDermott has been named one of the 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship winners. She will receive $10,000 to assist with her financial obligations to Augustana College.

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ROCKVILLE, MD — "Arthritis sucks!" These words are how Brandeis University student Rebecca "Becky" Miller describes living with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)...

Rebecca Miller

MD student continuing at Brandeis University

ROCKVILLE, MD — "Arthritis sucks!" These words are how Brandeis University student Rebecca "Becky" Miller describes living with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).

Diagnosed at the age of 8, Miller had difficulties staying in gymnastics, and tap dancing, and with playing the clarinet. But she refused to give up the active life completely. She likes to snow ski and go rock climbing, but admits those activities make her joints ache afterward.

"Since I was a little girl I always wanted to keep up and never miss out on what my friends were doing," said Miller. "I am more competitive with myself than others and I think having JRA has added to my motivation to succeed."

Miller leads a team at the Boston Arthritis Walk and has volunteered with an equine therapy association and hospice care organization. She is part of Brandeis' Emergency Medical Corps as an EMT and hopes to go on to physical therapy school after graduation.

Miller plans a career helping patients with arthritis as a healthcare professional, educator, and fundraiser. For her outstanding academic and community work, she has been named a 2009 UCB Rheumatoid Family RA Scholarship winner. She received $10,000 to assist with educational expenses at Brandeis.

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ROCKY HILL, CT — For Jessica Minor, the first 5 years of her life were spent in a hospital. Doctors told her family she had one of the worst cases of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) they had ever seen. For Minor, it has left her with childhood memories most kids would ...

Jessica Minor

Connecticut student continuing at Duquesne University

ROCKY HILL, CT — For Jessica Minor, the first 5 years of her life were spent in a hospital. Doctors told her family she had one of the worst cases of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) they had ever seen. For Minor, it has left her with childhood memories most kids never have such as riding her IV pole through the hallways of the hospital. At age 8, she was confined to a wheelchair. At 16, she had her first joint replacement surgery. She's had half a dozen surgeries since then. But these medical difficulties did not stop her from pursuing an education, doing volunteer work, and singing in her church choir. For these demonstrations of living beyond her JRA and her strong academic performance, Minor was selected to the 2009 class of UCB Family RA Scholarship winners.

Minor, 23, a graduate of Bob Jones University and Trinity International University, received one of the $10,000 scholarships to continue her doctoral work at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. "I've always been independent and very motivated," says Minor. "I always believe the Lord is with you and I draw strength from knowing that."

Minor hopes her advanced degree leads to work as a medical ethicist and a teaching position in a medical school. She also hopes to do advocate work. "Through all my experiences, I have learned discipline, determination, compassion and a concern for others. Having arthritis and being in a wheelchair is a great opportunity to encourage so many people."

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TIGARD, OR — When Marian Price was 10, a doctor handed her a coloring book of a child in a wheelchair and said, "this is how children with your disease live." Needless to say that was a traumatic event in the life of a child just diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis ...

Marian Price

Oregon student continuing at Santa Clara University

TIGARD, OR — When Marian Price was 10, a doctor handed her a coloring book of a child in a wheelchair and said, "this is how children with your disease live." Needless to say that was a traumatic event in the life of a child just diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). But Price did not let that doctor's harsh words define her. In fact, she set out to prove she would not be limited by RA. She ran track in high school and even made it to the state championships as a freshman and sophomore in the high jump.

Today, some 10 years after that encounter with her doctor, Price has been named one of 31 students from around the country to win the UCB Family RA Scholarship. She will receive $10,000 to continue her studies in civil engineering at Santa Clara University in California.

"I am really grateful for this scholarship as it kind of validates me for being able to succeed despite all the setbacks with RA," said Price. "It shows that somebody on the selection committee believes in me and that means the world to me."

Price hopes to work in the area of water recycling and waste-water management when she graduates.

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SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN — South St. Paul resident Leslie Ray, a mother of 4, remembers the shock of finding out that one of her active little girls was suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The emotional questions and decisions that followed almost engulfed her to the ...

Leslie Ray

Minnesota student pursuing nursing degree

SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN — South St. Paul resident Leslie Ray, a mother of 4, remembers the shock of finding out that one of her active little girls was suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The emotional questions and decisions that followed almost engulfed her to the point of wanting to throw up her hands and say 'I quit!' But she could not and did not quit and her determination to help her daughter successfully battle JRA and her academic ambition led her to be named one of 31 people across the United States. to win a UCB Family RA Scholarship. She plans to use the $10,000 award to continue her studies towards becoming a nurse.

When Ray's daughter Allie was 6, doctors told Allie she had a chronic disease that was attacking her joints and causing the swelling and pain Allie was experiencing. "I said ‘why me' and had to watch as this delightful little lady turned into an emotional monster because of the severe drugs she had to take," said Ray.

On top of this, Ray watched as her career as a travel agency owner, and her husband's work as a cabinetry salesman, have been decimated by the downturn in travel and home construction brought on by the current economic slowdown. She closed her travel agency in 2003 and now concentrates on school and her kids.

"I know I'm making a difference in my daughter's life," said Ray, who spends time researching arthritis in a hope of finding a treatment that will work for Allie.

Ray is an active "soccer mom" who also enjoys watching collegiate ice hockey and taking her daughters to dance, tennis, and swimming. She continues her work as a volunteer for the Arthritis Foundation, with an attention deficit disorder parent networking group, and on a fundraising committee for a pediatric rheumatology fellowship at the University of Minnesota.

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SPRING LAKE, NC — Lauren Reynolds was like most teenage girls leading an active lifestyle, singing in her church's choir, cheering on the school squad, and spending time swimming and shopping with friends. But in her 10th-grade year, she broke her ankle and tore several ...

Lauren Reynolds

North Carolina student heading to Meredith College

SPRING LAKE, NC — Lauren Reynolds was like most teenage girls leading an active lifestyle, singing in her church's choir, cheering on the school squad, and spending time swimming and shopping with friends. But in her 10th-grade year, she broke her ankle and tore several ligaments. It didn't seem so bad at first, but after months of the joint failing to heal, doctors realized something else was involved. It was RA, and it was keeping her ankle from healing properly. Her recovery process was long and difficult, and she had to deal with multiple medical visits and explaining her disease to friends, teachers and family. But Reynolds continued to press hard in her studies, eventually graduating fourth out of a class of more than 280 students. Her perseverance in the face of challenging obstacles including RA has led Reynolds to be named a 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship winner receiving $10,000 to pursue her degree at Meredith College.

"I did not allow my arthritis to stop me from living my life," said Reynolds. "I am very grateful for this scholarship, as my parents are divorced and my mother is supporting me and my younger sister on her own. My mother has sacrificed so much, especially when I was hospitalized, and this scholarship makes her life and my life just a little bit easier."

Reynolds, an avid sewer and seamstress, is a child development major and hopes to pursue a law degree and work in child advocacy after college.

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ROSEVILLE, MN — Cory Stingl was once told by doctors he would be wheelchair-bound by the age of 16. Cory never met a challenge he didn't take on and his diagnosis at 4 was no exception. In fact, Stingl looked forward to beating his doctor's prognosis. Now a 28-year ...

Cory Stingl

Minnesota student continuing medical education

ROSEVILLE, MN — Cory Stingl was once told by doctors he would be wheelchair-bound by the age of 16. Cory never met a challenge he didn't take on and his diagnosis at 4 was no exception. In fact, Stingl looked forward to beating his doctor's prognosis. Now a 28-year-old medical student, certified scuba diver, and avid cyclist, Stingl is also one of 31 students from around the country selected for the 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship.

Stingl has been a Twin Cities Arthritis Walk Committee chairman and is a regular volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation. He talks with patient groups about growing up with RA and tells them the motivation he gained from his parent,s who encouraged him to attempt whatever he felt like doing and never let him use his RA as an excuse.

"If something is really important to me, I'm not the type to let anything get in the way," said Stingl. "It is the way I was raised."

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KISSIMEE, FL — Cassie Tosado found faith as a teenager and it changed her outlook on life. The young woman, who grew up in New York, faced a myriad of challenges growing up. She was diagnosed with RA at the age of 3. She got an infection ...

Cassie Tosado

Florida student continuing at Florida Baptist

KISSIMEE, FL — Cassie Tosado found faith as a teenager and it changed her outlook on life. The young woman, who grew up in New York, faced a myriad of challenges growing up. She was diagnosed with RA at the age of 3. She got an infection and lost her left leg below the knee at 10. She had both hips replaced and two wrist fusions by the time she was 16. She struggled with the medical issues in her life.

"I could not understand what was wrong with me. I just knew I was different," said Tosado about the severe pain and missed days from school. "I wanted more than anything to belong."

After a move to Florida, a friend of hers introduced her to a church, and as Tosado's faith and spirituality grew, her outlook on life took a positive turn. By her own words, she believes she is different from the girl (who underwent all those surgeries), and has become someone who wants to help others by sharing her medical journey and counseling young people with chronic diseases. She is a member of her church's praise team choir and helps lead the youth group.

For showing perseverance, academic excellence, and community service, Tosado has been rewarded a 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship.

"I really did not know there were others out there who are going through what I go through," said Tosado. "Winning this scholarship was a blessing, not only financially, but also socially, to see that I am not alone in fighting my arthritis."

She plans to use the scholarship to complete a bachelor's degree in Christian Studies. Eventually, she'd like to earn a master's degree in counseling.

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MIAMI, FL — When she was age 7, the breakfast table in Ana Villfane's Miami home became a mountain of prescription drugs. That's because the energetic youngster, who participated in soccer and ballet, was now diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) ...

Ana Villfane

Miami student heading to Loyola Marymount University

MIAMI, FL — At the age of seven, the breakfast table in Ana Villfane's Miami home became a mountain of prescription drugs. That's because the energetic youngster who participated in soccer and ballet was now diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), which severely restricted her sports and athletic activities.

Villfane experienced typical responses from many classmates, from some who did not believe she was sick, to those who thought she had died since she missed so much school, to some who were afraid to be in close contact with her for fear they might catch her disease.

But she did not let these misunderstandings stop her. Villfane's loss of physical activity led her to other pursuits, including painting and singing, where she found a new way to release her creative energy. She found she had talent signing and became active in the church and school choirs, eventually doing musical theater and even performing in Italy for Pope Benedict XVI.

Villafane is using her singing talent to pursue degrees in music and sociology at Loyola Marymount University. She is also a winner of a 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship for her demonstrated ability to succeed academically and personally despite the challenges of JRA.

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SPRING, TX — Nina Wikstrom-Aguilar learned to live with RA by making adjustments to her everyday life. She learned to wear clothing with no buttons or laces and that did not require ironing. She was diagnosed with RA as a teen ...

Nina Wikstrom-Aguilar

TX student heading to the University of Phoenix

SPRING, TX — Nina Wikstrom-Aguilar learned to live with RA by making adjustments to her everyday life. She learned to wear clothing with no buttons or laces and that did not require ironing. She was diagnosed with RA as a teen but was still able to earn 2 college degrees, marry, and have 3 sons. She also moved 15 times in 20 years with her military husband.

But RA was never far from her mind. Her joints became so disabled that she underwent 30 operations since 1986 in an attempt to alleviate pain and return mobility to her hands and feet. "It might sound like the physical limitations were the hardest on me," says Wikstrom-Aguilar, "but it has really been the emotional and spiritual boundaries the disease imposes on me that I have the most trouble with."

Now that her sons are grown and moved away, Wikstrom-Aguilar is active in a book club and her church. She also became an advocate for families of people affected by Kawasaki's Disease after losing one of her sons to the disease.

Because of her ability to succeed academically and personally, Wikstrom-Aguilar has been named a 2009 UCB Family RA Scholarship winner. She will receive $10,000 to pursue a master's degree from the University of Phoenix.

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