Strike Out Arthritis: A closer look at who we really impact

This weekend we will have our annual Strike Out Arthritis dodgeball tournament. We put this one every year to support our international philanthropy, the Arthritis Foundation, as well as raise money and awareness.

This year, we are raising money and awareness for Maddy Penkal, a teenager from New Castle who suffers from Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

JIA is the most common type of arthritis among children, but doctors do not know what causes JIA. Arthritis can cause inflammatory and autoimmune issues.

Maddy specifically suffers from Polyarticular Arthritis, which causes inflammation in five or more joints, small joints and larger, weight-bearing joints. In Maddy’s case, 10 joints are affected.

Before diagnosis, Maddy was a typical teenage girl. She cheered, played volleyball, basketball and ran track. She was also involved in drama club during high school.

Even after her diagnosis,

Maddy continues to cheer at her high school, but some of the side effects can make it hard on her day to day life. She suffers from swelling, pain and limited movement, especially after games she has cheered at.

Maddy explained, “JIA affects me physically by making everyday tasks a lot harder than they should be. Most mornings getting out of bed is a struggle because of stiffness.”

And while JIA affects her physically, it also affects her mentally. “I have seen a change in my mood since before I was diagnosed. I find my self being sadder, and mores stressed out than normal,” she said.

Despite her setbacks, Maddy will be attending IUPUI in the fall to study Athletic Training. She still enjoys cheering, playing tennis, hanging out with her friends and working at their local YMCA.

Maddy’s JIA can go into remission, however, if it doesn’t she will have to be on medicine for the rest of her life. Maddy said, “My disease will affect me in the future because I will have to take responsibility for my own healthcare.” She also said that it will affect her future by what she can and can’t do.

Maddy and her mom found out about the Arthritis Foundation after their first visit to Riley’s Children’s Hospital and after attending a conference in Indiana, they found out about AOII’s support.

Maddy said that both of the organizations have helped ease their journey. “They are both so helpful by all the information they provide, and just raising money to help find a cure. If it wasn’t for both of these organizations, I wouldn’t have have so many medicine options available.”

The dodgeball tournament may seem like such a small thing but the money raised supports such a great cause and affects people just like Maddy and her family.