The teen years can be difficult enough without having to cope with a chronic illness. Yet juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, known as JRA, affects 300,000 young people under the age of 18. At its best, JRA causes occasional and inconvenient aches and stiffness usually reserved for adults. At it worse, juvenile arthritis is a life-changing and crippling disease. Parents of teens with JRA need coping skills to help the entire family.
Instructions
1. Act as a role model for your teenager. A diagnosis of juvenile arthritis for your teen is frightening but must be faced.
2. Get the facts from your child's doctor. Ask lots of questions. The more you know, the more prepared you are to help your child learn manage her arthritis.
3. Talk with your teen as well as other family members. Allow your child with juvenile arthritis to express all his emotions about the disease. He can cope better if he feels his family will listen openly.
4. Resist being an overprotective parent. You don't want your child to become so dependent upon you that she is unable to do anything for herself. If she wants to play sports, let her. If your doctor agrees, let your teen make the decision when the pain is too much to play a match, instead of intervening.
5. Expect your teen with arthritis to follow household rules and take on chores. Don't let your child use arthritis as an excuse to avoid activities.
6. Work with teachers and other school professionals if your child has to miss school often or come in late. For some teens, a few minor changes can make a big difference. Perhaps he needs a set of textbooks at home so he won't need to carry a heavy backpack. Maybe he needs a few extra minutes to get to the next class. Your school will work with you if you request it.
7. Get the family involved with a local juvenile arthritis support group if the problem becomes overwhelming. You'll find other people experiencing the same thing, and you'll get ideas to help you and your teen cope.
Tags: your child, your teen, juvenile arthritis, help your