Dear Friends,

Once again this year, we're participating in Walk Strong to Cure JM. All proceeds benefit Cure JM Foundation.

Emily was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis about two and a half years ago, just around the time when her brother Jude was born. We still look back at that time and remember the stress and worry being more than anything we've ever been through (and, well, that's saying a lot!). 

Shortly after her third birthday, Emily started showing signs of muscle weakness and inflexibility, and quickly declined to the point where she couldn't climb stairs, sit up from a prone position, or, eventually, swallow or digest food effectively. We went through five grueling weeks of tests to rule out muscular dystrophy and finally confirm the diagnosis of JM (and in the meantime, we had a baby).

Emily has been on heavy and serious medications since then, and has had regular physical therapy. We celebrated a couple of months ago when she was finally weaned of prednisone! She is still taking methotrexate every week, but is on her way to unmedicated remission. At 5 and a half (and that half is very important to her!), our girl has gone from being extremely weak and fragile back to the physically and emotional strong girl we knew for her first three years.

It has been a journey, and it will never fully be behind us since there is always a risk of disease flare. But right now, Emily is doing remarkably well!

Throughout this journey, e have been so lucky to have the support and friendship of the Cure JM organization, which has provided us with resources, a listening ear, someone to call when we are trying to figure out what to do with medication interactions with frequent illnesses due to her weakened immunity. This is an incredible group of people doing great work, most importantly to raise funds for the research needed to learn more about better treatments and a cure for this rare disease. The foundation has funded research at 20 institutions. We are continually being apprised of new drugs or breakthroughs in research that could affect Emily's experience directly

We would be honored and grateful if you might support this important cause, either by donating or by joining us at the walk on September 21!