05/06/2007

Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Seven-year-old Jessica Lampton cuddles with the family dachshund Peanut at the family’s home outside of Traverse City. Jessica is one of the honorees for this year’s arthritis walk.

Walking for a cure

Little honoree participates in arthritis fundraiser

By AL PARKER

Special to the Record-Eagle

TRAVERSE CITY — In 2005, then 5-year-old Jessica Lampton was enjoying her recreational gymnastics when she and her mother, Mary Jo, made a discovery that would change their lives.

"Jessica's coach was helping to put her on the uneven bars when Jessica said 'Ouch, that hurts,'” remembered Mary Jo. "We looked and her left knee was swollen.”

After initially thinking the youngster's knee might have bursitis or ligament damage, physicians eventually diagnosed Jessica with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, or JRA. It's a condition that is generally unknown to the public, but which affects about twice as many Michigan youngsters as juvenile diabetes.

What followed was a dizzying array of medical tests and treatments that saw the Lamptons traveling from their East Bay Township home to see physicians in Traverse City, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids.

The Lamptons turned to the Arthritis Foundation as a source of information, referrals and resources. Consequently, Mary Jo, husband Tim and Jessica are teaming up to fight arthritis in the 2007 Arthritis Walk, set for May 19 beginning at 10 a.m. the Holiday Inn in Traverse City. Jessica has been chosen a 2007 Arthritis Walk Honoree, along with Niki Tubacki, 12, of Mancelona

Now a first-grader at Cherry Knoll Elementary School in Traverse City, she has encountered all of the typical symptoms and arduous treatments associated with the disease — swollen joints, fatigue, inability to walk some days, chronic pain, daily oral medications and eye drops.

In Jessica's case, the arthritis caused inflammation in her eyes and resulted in glaucoma in both eyes. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to vision loss.

"She had it so bad she was on steroid drops every waking hour for two months,” recalled Mary Jo.

In September and December of 2006, Jessica endured risky eye surgery, called goniotomy, to reduce fluid pressure in her eyes and save her vision. Goniotomy is a surgical procedure in which the doctor uses a lens called a goniolens to see the structures of the front part of the eye. An opening is made in the trabecular network — a group of tiny canals — providing a way for fluid to flow out of the eye and reduce pressure.

"She has some scarring, but her vision is better now,” said Mary Jo. "No corrective lenses are needed.”

But Jessica's vision will require constant monitoring because the condition could return. If that occurs, another round of eye surgery might be needed.

Because of the way arthritis has affected their lives, Jessica and her parents are dedicated to creating public awareness about arthritis. Last year they formed a team, "Jessica's Journey,” for the walk. Along with other teams from Traverse City, they raised more than $40,000 to combat arthritis.

This year, the Lamptons, along with Laura Brian of Benzonia, are co-chairing the local Arthritis Walk, held annually in 286 communities across the U.S. The Traverse City walk will feature pre-walk snacks, a light post-walk lunch, clowns, face painting, free massages and more.

Interested walkers can form a team of friends, family members or co-workers and walk in honor of a loved one who suffers from arthritis. Money raised by the walk comes back to the community.

Sponsors are also needed for the walk.

"They'll be walking and supporting a wonderful cause,” said Mary Jo. "If you could see what these kids have to deal with. It's so difficult. They all have different issues.

"This walk is a great way for the community to come together and make a difference in the lives of these children. The more help we get, the closer we are to finding a cure.”

The Arthritis Walk starts at 10 a.m. May 19 from the Holiday Inn West Bay in Traverse City. For more information about arthritis or the walk, contact the Arthritis Foundation at (800) 968-3030 or visit www.arthritis.org.