Carleigh's Story
With her beautiful red curls and bright smile, 11-year-old Carleigh exudes a sunny personality and has never let arthritis get the best of her. She's spent nine years raising funds for a cure.
Carleigh and her family are proud to bring attention to juvenile arthritis (JA). They’ve been doing it for years. From their national and local advocacy efforts, frequent volunteer work with the Arthritis Foundation and participation as a team in every local Walk to Cure Arthritis since Carleigh’s diagnosis at age 2, they’ve spent the past nine years working towards a cure.
As a happy, active toddler, Carleigh began showing signs of favoring one leg and avoiding the use of one arm. Her pediatrician pointed her parents to the University of Iowa where tests confirmed she had JA in several joints. Over the years, Carleigh has bravely undergone a variety of treatments as her team at the University of Iowa and Blank Children’s Hospital works to bring her arthritis into remission.
To meet Carleigh, now 11, you would never know that she lives with joint pain. She joyfully participates in figure skating and gymnastics. In warmer months, she loves to be outdoors, swimming, riding her bike and spending time at her family’s cabin in northern Minnesota. Carleigh is an enthusiastic student who enjoys reading, math, singing and playing with friends. With her beautiful red curls and bright smile, Carleigh exudes a sunny personality that has never let arthritis get the best of her.
As a happy, active toddler, Carleigh began showing signs of favoring one leg and avoiding the use of one arm. Her pediatrician pointed her parents to the University of Iowa where tests confirmed she had JA in several joints. Over the years, Carleigh has bravely undergone a variety of treatments as her team at the University of Iowa and Blank Children’s Hospital works to bring her arthritis into remission.
To meet Carleigh, now 11, you would never know that she lives with joint pain. She joyfully participates in figure skating and gymnastics. In warmer months, she loves to be outdoors, swimming, riding her bike and spending time at her family’s cabin in northern Minnesota. Carleigh is an enthusiastic student who enjoys reading, math, singing and playing with friends. With her beautiful red curls and bright smile, Carleigh exudes a sunny personality that has never let arthritis get the best of her.