Jack Hickman, a young, vibrant boy from Fabreville, was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at the tender age of seven years old. Jack initially experienced swelling in his big toe; then the pain spread to his other big toe and ankles. After seeing Jack’s pain, his parents Rosina and Jim sought help from many physicians. As part of their journey, they met with pediatric rheumatologist Dr. Gaëlle Chédeville and Nurse Gillian Taylor (now retired) at the Montreal Children`s Hospital. It was Dr. Chédeville who diagnosed Jack.

In the beginning, Jack took 42 pills per week. Some mornings, Jack couldn’t walk down the stairs at home, but being Jack, he slid down the stairs himself on hind quarters. He went to school with crutches. On good days, by lunch hour, he laid his crutches down because he felt better. His classmates thought Jack was faking; Jack persevered and wrote a school project about Juvenile Arthritis so his classmates could better understand his disease.

Dr. Chédeville suggested that Jack take Methotrexate injections which Jack resisted initially. Months later, Jack and his family realized that the medication was working. He could play soccer and some other sports. Running was still difficult, though. Although Methotrexate helped, Dr. Chédeville made another suggestion; that Jack be injected with Enbrel (a biological injection). Within just weeks, there was a visible difference.

4,500 Youth in Quebec Suffer from Juvenile Diabetes
When we think of arthritis, we think of a disease that affects the elderly. Most of us don’t realize that this debilitative, painful disease also affects children, teens and young adults. When it afflicts young people, it’s referred to as Juvenile Arthritis, which affects children of all ages and backgrounds. This condition affects approximately 24,000 young people across Canada, including a total of 4,500 youth in Quebec.

Juvenile Arthritis is considered to be an autoimmune disease. Usually, an immune system fights off harmful bacteria and viruses. In the case of an autoimmune disorder, the immune system attacks some of the body’s own healthy cells and tissues. Symptoms of Juvenile Arthritis include swollen joints, pain and stiffness that won’t subside and usually affects knees, hands and feet and is worse in the morning. Other symptoms include limping, excessive clumsiness, high fever and a skin rash, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck or other parts of the body. Sometimes these symptoms improve and go away (a remission) or they return (a flare). Juvenile Arthritis can cause eye inflammation, growth problems and bones and joints to grow unevenly.

It’s not easy to confirm that a child has Juvenile Arthritis. Many tests must be completed in order to confirm the diagnosis. (See the sidebar for more information on the various types of Juvenile Arthritis.)

Juvenile Arthritis not only affects a child, but the entire family, as it involves a child’s social and school activities. Exercise is the key to reducing symptoms and maintains function and range of motion for joints. Children can still participate in sports when symptoms are under control. Swimming is a beneficial activity because it uses several joints and muscles simultaneously without putting excess weight on them. During a flare, children may be unable to participate in activities or concentrate on school work.

Jack’s Support System
Jack`s biggest fan is his sister Jenna. “My sister Jenna is 9 years old and she’s like a teddy bear, but even better. For every single needle that I ever took in my life, she was there holding my hand if I was in pain,” says Jack. “She would try to make me laugh so I could stop thinking about the pain. Honestly, I would not know what I would do if she wasn’t there right next to me every step of my journey with arthritis.”

Still to this day after being pain free for about 3 years, Jack says that Jenna holds his hand while he takes his injections. “This is why my sister is the best sister in the world; she is the most supportive person I know. She is also my number one fan when I play hockey and soccer,” explains Jack.
Tammie Agostino, a teacher at Our Lady of Peace Elementary School, was Jack’s teacher for grades 1, 3 and 6. Agostino became close with Jack and his family over the years. She describes Jack as being charismatic, witty, loving and a real go-getter. Although Agostino was not his teacher at the time, she recalls when Jack first learned that he had juvenile arthritis and how his world changed instantly.

She noticed that Jack’s morale deteriorated as she watched his pain when he walked by her classroom door. Agostino went to Jack’s home on Friday evenings to hold his hand while he received his injections. Agostino knew that with Jack’s personality, he would not need her for long. After a while, Jack adjusted and adapted to his disorder. Jack’s disease and his medical appointments made him miss some school. He was easily distracted in class and at times, had to leave school early due to his pain.

Some days the pain was unbearable. Agostino tutored Jack at home to help him catch up with schoolwork. “Jack and his family have brought much joy and optimism into my life. I truly hope that I have done the same for them,” says Agostino.
“We are thankful and appreciative of all the support we have received from the staff at Our Lady of Peace Elementary School as well as the care that Dr. Chédeville and Nurse Gillian Taylor provided,” says Jack’s mother.

Bjillian MacKinnon, 32, who currently works for the Juvenile Arthritis Society in Montreal, used to be a childcare educator and “marathon coach”. Fitness was her passion. MacKinnon’s life was turned upside down when she learned she had a painful form of arthritis called Ankylosing Spondylitis, which causes bones to fuse together and difficult breathing along with many other painful symptoms.

MacKinnon met Jack two years ago at Kids on the Move Camp, a camp for children with arthritis, at Camp Papillon in St. Alphonse. Jack was 11 at the time and MacKinnon worked as Camp Coordinator. MacKinnon explains that Jack was the kind of kid who always looked out for his friends. Jack was comfortable at camp because he finally did not have to explain his pain to others. This time, nobody thought he was faking.Jack and MacKinnon became good friends, and two years ago they ran the 5 km run for the Scotia Bank. Although they were both in pain and perhaps slower than anticipated, they finished the race without stopping. They plan to run this race together each year. “My whole mission in life is to raise awareness and serve others,” says MacKinnon.

Suzanne Brazeau, a mother of 4 children, has known Jack for some time, as her son Zack plays hockey on the same team as Jack. Both boys are passionate about hockey and encourage one another. Brazeau describes Jack as inspirational; a leader amongst his peers, yet claims that Jack possesses “an old soul”. Because Jack was never one to say “Poor me”, Brazeau says that she and her family realize that challenges can be overcome. Whenever Brazeau faces a challenge, she thinks of Jack. “Jack has made an impression on me that will last my lifetime,” she says.

Moving Forward in Life
Today, Jack is thirteen years old and is currently pain-free. He still requires three injections per week. He continues to play hockey with the Delta Laval team. He now proudly holds the position of spokesperson for the Arthritis Society for Childhood Arthritis. Jack recently gave a speech for 300 people at the George Russell Gala in Montreal to spread awareness about Juvenile Arthritis and to raise funds for Kids on the Move Camp. Jack no longer attends Kids on the Move Camp because he feels other kids need the help more than him.

Jack currently attends Loyola High School where he looks forward to new challenges and opportunities. Although he must watch his diet (Jack adores cooking), he enjoys the occasional iced cappuccino. Of course, having an Italian Nonna, he eats homemade ravioli, gnocchi and lasagna, which are the key to his heart. Jack`s advice for others is; “Never lose hope; there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Jack’s parents’ advice for other parents whose children have Juvenile Arthritis is to get informed and be patient. It can take time to find the right medication. “Building a strong support system on all levels is key,” says Jack’s mom. “We are optimistic for the future.”
There are seven different types of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis that affect children and teenagers under 16 years of age, including;

  • Oligoarthritis (two different types) – arthritis affecting 1 to 4 joints
  • Polyarthritis (two different types) – arthritis affecting more than 5 joints
  • Systemic Arthritis – arthritis accompanied by fever and rash
  • Enthesitis-related Arthritis – arthritis and inflammation of tendon insertions
  • Psoriatic Arthritis – arthritis accompanied by psoriasis