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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
Sesser Boy Battles Arthritis
And while he looks like a healthy ten year old, Lukas was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at 18 months of age.
"He was limping. Had just started to walk and was limping. He wouldn't put any pressure on his leg. There was heating and swelling in his knee. It took a good six months to get a diagnosis. No body thought arthritis in a one year old," said Lukas' mom Angie.
Lukas takes the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Naproxen twice a day. He says playing sports also makes him feel better. He stays busy with baseball, football, and basketball, which is his favorite.
"Probably because it's in the winter and that's when my arthritis starts to affect me mostly. If I didn't play basketball, my knee or ankle would swell up probably."
Angie says it's important Lukas stays active. In turn, she and her family stay active with the Arthritis Foundation.
"Extended family even. My inlaws, my parents, my grandparents, my uncle. Everybody. Even the community is involved. They are right there to donate food or their time, raffle items and stuff. We've done the fish fries, and my mother in law is doing the poker run now."
It's the family's way of giving back to a group that's done so much for them. They'll be part of the 25th annual Arthritis Foundation Telethon on TV-3. It's Sunday from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
by Kevin Hunsperger
khunsperger@wsiltv.com
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