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« on: May 03, 2007, 05:15:03 pm » |
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Siblings named Walk Heroes Jocelyn Harris and her brother, Johnathan Harris, aren't ones to let aches and pains stand in the way of activity.
Whether it's juggling the soccer ball, dribbling a basketball up and down the court, singing in the choir or going to work or school, the siblings refuse to let disease stop them from doing things they enjoy.
Diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, the brother and sister from Diana have been selected to be Walk Heroes at Saturday's 2007 East Texas/Tyler Arthritis Walk.
As the designated Walk Heroes, Jocelyn, 17, and her younger brother Johnathan, 14, will lead the fundraiser walk, doing their part to find a cure for arthritis.
Because lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects joints, skin, kidneys and other parts of the body, people diagnosed often suffer a variety of symptoms, including arthritis.
On any given day it's not unusual for either of the Harris children to live with pain. Then there is the ever-present sensitivity to sunlight.
But, it's the arthritic swelling in their joints that cause the most problems, they say.
"I will not let arthritis get in my way of what I do," Jocelyn said. It's not going to keep me behind."
Their mother, Cecelia Harris, plans to walk with her children. She's been doing it for years. After all, all three battle lupus.
Cecelia Harris said she was saddened to learn both of her children had the same disease she had suffered with for many years, but refused to let it get the best of them.
"I try to teach them they can do everything any other kid can do. They may not can keep up as well, but they can still do it," she said.
The siblings have certainly taken their mother's advice — both stay busy with school and numerous extracurricular activities.
Jocelyn, now a junior at Longview High School, has been an avid soccer player since age 7 and is a member of the school choir, drill team, JROTC and a Police Explorer. She is also employed at Schlotzsky's in Longview and plans to pursue a career in pediatrics.
Johnathan, an eighth-grader at Judson Middle School, spends his time on the football field or the basketball court, sings in the school choir, loves to fish and play video games.
On days that he struggles, Johnathan said his friends are the first to help.
"Sometimes I cannot keep up. I get tired easy, so my best friends help me out. They tell me not to give up," he said.
Both said they are proud to lead the walk and hope one day a cure will be found for people who suffer from arthritis.
The Tyler walk is one of several around the state scheduled during May. All are designed to raise funds to support research in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis.
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