Diana Spiegelberg does not wait for a storm to pass; she has learned to dance in the rain. No matter the pain or challenges that living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) brings, her will to succeed and positive attitude have helped her make the best of every situation and embrace every moment, rain or shine. Living with rheumatoid arthritis has taught Diana to reflect on her blessings and truly appreciate the simple things in life.

"I do not want to sadden others with a pessimistic journey full of rain clouds and storms. And I certainly do not want to receive special treatment or have excuses and exceptions made on my behalf," Diana says. "I want to live my life as normally as possible."

The first rain clouds appeared during her childhood when her young, athletic father was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and Diana's own storm came when she was diagnosed with the disease during high school. Despite the debilitating knee pains she experienced, Diana was a top member of her high school cross-country and track and field teams, running 30 miles a week as well as practicing dance for two to three hours a day. Diana also did not let her swollen wrists and fingers stop her from being a top performer academically. Diana has also contributed to her community by teaching Spanish at an after-school program, helping with the Wisconsin 4H program, and mentoring girls with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

UCB has awarded Diana a UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship to assist in her final year at Wisconsin Lutheran College. The $10,000 scholarship will help her complete her double major in Spanish and communications. Diana plans to incorporate her love for Spanish and charity work into a career working for a nonprofit organization in a Spanish-speaking country.

Diana says, "Even though it has been years since I had a day without pain, I would never give up the mature, strong young woman RA has made me."