Meet Rita Johnson

2009 South Shore Arthritis Walk Adult Ambassador

Rita Johnson, 2009 South Shore Arthritis Walk Adult Ambassador, tells the story of her life with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia - three of the over 100 forms of arthritis.

"My name is Rita Johnson, I am one of 12 children born and raised in West Roxbury, MA.  Since the birth of my daughter Olivia at age 37 I have been diagnosed with RA, Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia.  Olivia was 3 months old when I returned to work as a legal Patent Secretary and just after a week began to experience an achiness that was unlike the flu. Red hot swollen hands and knees were my main symptoms.  The doctors hoped it would be temporary but 8 years later I still hurt and I long for someone to invent the human oil can!  I was told there is a dormant gene that is basically awakened by a low immune system and that is why it is so common after child birth.  I believe my mom may have had RA but she passed away in 1981 and back then (which wasn't so long ago) they did not have answers to these types of symptoms like they do now.  After many, many medications, endless physical therapy sessions and countless co-payments, I have decided to latch onto the Arthritis Foundation to work at healing both mentally and physically.

The Foundation has asked that I be part of their committee for the South Shore Walk and this year's Adult Ambassador. I have accepted the responsibility and would gladly like to share my story with those who are told after a child's birth that their aches and pains are probably just hormonal. Unfortunately, for some of us, thouse aches and pains happen to be this debilitating disease.

I have good days and some very bad days, but my daughter has been my inspiration to get moving every day. So please, as the slogan says, 'Let's move together' and find some relief for all those who suffer and sacrifice many things in their life due to this disease."

-Rita Johnson, 2009 South Shore Arthritis Walk Adult Ambassador

 Rita's Team, 2008 South Shore Arthritis Walk