Episode 41 - Kicking Arthritis In The Butt

In honour of Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, our second special guest of the month - Alejandra Van Dusen comes on Take a Pain Check to talk about her story with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis alongside Ulcerative Colitis. Diagnosed at 2 years old with JIA, Alejandra talks about childhood memories of being at the hospital and soon realizing that it’s okay to be different. Her symptoms went from her hands to elbows and at 12 years old jaw complications arose. Alejandra explains her experience for jaw surgery and what it felt like waking up and not being able to open her month. Alejandra and Natasha bond about having brothers, gym class exceptions, technology and more. Lastly, they dive deep into the Patient and Community Engagement Research (PaCER) program where Alejandra and Natasha conducted research alongside other young adults living with arthritis on patients with arthritis. 

Alejandra's Socials: Instagram: @alej4ndra  Twitter: AlejandraVanD   

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Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara 

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