Hi, everyone. My name is Aleksandra Prosser, and I’m participating in this year’s Jingle Bell Run on December 7th to support the Arthritis Foundation as their New Hampshire Junior Honoree. I want to share why this cause is deeply personal to me, why it matters to so many others, and why your support truly makes a difference.

I began experiencing chronic pain when I was 13, severe pain in my shoulders and ankles that kept being dismissed as “growing pains.” But I knew something more was going on. In August, I finally got answers: hEDS and POTS. I didn’t understand what those diagnoses meant at the time; I just knew they scared me.

Freshman year was one of the hardest times of my life. My hips dislocated so badly that I needed forearm crutches for months. I had to give up activities I loved, the things that made me feel like me. I felt judged for what others couldn’t see or understand. I felt isolated in a body that refused to cooperate. Then summer came, and my rheumatologist allowed me to attend a camp for kids with arthritis and other rheumatological conditions. I’m so grateful, because it became the highlight of my year. For the first time, I was surrounded by people who understood without needing an explanation. No one expected me to hide my pain or pretend to be “normal.” I could just be. That experience gave me strength I didn’t realize I had.

Not long after camp, my joints began hurting in a new way. My rheumatologist diagnosed me with juvenile arthritis. At first, I couldn’t help thinking how ironic it was to develop symptoms right after attending a camp for kids with arthritis. But once the humor faded, the sadness came. I knew this was something that would affect me for a long time. Living with chronic illness means moving forward even when your body lags, because the world doesn’t pause for you to catch up. It’s exhausting, isolating, and unfair. But it has also taught me resilience, patience, and how to appreciate joy in small moments. I may not be “getting better,” but I’m learning every day how to live my life without letting my conditions control it.

Being chosen as this year’s Junior Honoree for the Jingle Bell Run means so much to me. It’s a reminder that even through the pain, setbacks, and moments I’ve felt broken, I’m still here. I haven’t given up, and I won’t. I’m not letting my illnesses win. I want other kids to live without fear of pain, to feel understood, to know they’re not alone. That’s why the Arthritis Foundation matters. The Arthritis Foundation funds research for better treatments and potential cures, provides support and resources for families, runs programs like arthritis camp that give kids community and confidence, and advocates for greater awareness of what it’s really like to live with chronic illness. Every donation fuels hope, strength, and a chance for kids to live fuller, brighter lives.

Every contribution helps kids, and adults like me feel seen, supported, and empowered. Thank you for helping me, and everyone living with arthritis, keep moving forward.

Lots of Love,

Aleksandra Prosser