& Because you can make a difference. National Honoree, eleven year-old Meghan Caseau of Kingston MA is a typical young girl; she likes to bike ride, swim, roller-blade, follow the latest clothing trends and doesn’t care much for homework. What sets Meghan apart from others is that she is determined to conquer a disease that’s affected her since she was three and a half years old. In 1995, Meghan was diagnosed with Polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). As a family, we were completely devastated. How could our baby have arthritis? Our initial response was denial, and then finally acceptance that this is forever. It’s been a long road and nobody will ever tell you that coming to terms with this disease is easy; She requires various types of medication daily to help keep her arthritis in control. Monthly trips to New England Medical Center are required to monitor her disease as National Arthritis Foundation Walk Honoree well as the effects of her medication. Eleven year-old Meghan Caseau Visits twice a year to the optometrist is necessary to monitor iritis, which becomes increasingly common as her condition progresses and physical therapy is an essential part of her daily life; She swims regularly and hydro-spa therapy helps maintain a range of motion in many of her joints. One might think that her happiness and livelihood are affected, but this is certainly not the case. She is very aware of her limits, but that just makes her try harder. She’s a strong- minded, gregarious little girl who is determined not to let the disease win. How it all began… A few years back we had read that A.F. CEO Tino Mantella stated; ‘…he heads a $128 million organization that’s fighting a $65 billion disease.’ This message had a profound impact on us, as our daughter is one of those children who need to rely on others good will in hopes of finding a cure. We contacted our local chapter office to gain as much information about this disease as we could, but also to see how we could become involved. Through the course of time, the foundation has become our extended family. Without their assistance, information, guidance, love and friendship, Meghan wouldn’t be enjoying the quality of life she is today. We began heading our fundraising efforts in Sept. 1999. Our team then consisted of our close-knit family. Now, three years later, our team has grown substantially, including friends, neighbors, schoolmates, local dignitaries and state officials. Her team, named Meghan’s Caramba! has been fortunate in raising over $30,000 in this short period. Our involvement began as us trying to give back to a foundation, which has been essential to Meghan’s well being and is now our true labor of love. This is our life, and this is our mission. One family can make a difference. Our first attempt at fundraising in 1999 had shown us how strong a community will respond. Local papers covered our effort and we received donations from as far as fifty miles away. We were pleased and proud of our accomplishments that year, and it also laid the groundwork of bigger things to come. Our family has always been very politically and musically inclined. On the political front, our town is home to one of the hardest working community oriented State Representatives in Massachusetts. Representative Thomas J. O’Brien has been a constant and fundamental figure in Meghan’s team. Soon after Meghan was asked to be Boston’s Walk Ambassador for the Oct. 2000 Joint Walk, Representative O’Brien facilitated a meeting with our Governor. She was invited to Gov. Cellucci’s office at the State House and received a proclamation declaring Oct. 22, 2000 as “Arthritis Awareness Day” for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She also received citations from the Governor, the House of Representatives and the Senate for her work on behalf of the foundation, as well as recognition from Kingston’s Board of Selectman. She was featured in Plymouth’s Fourth of July Parade and also received the support of Boston City Councilor Stephen Murphy declaring an “Arthritis Awareness Day” in the City of Boston also. On the musical front, she has received praise, congratulations (and back-stage passes) from her musical idol Rich Cronin of the band LFO, and he made a surprise appearance at her classroom at KIS in Kingston. In September, she was welcomed aboard Boston’s largest radio station KISS-108 FM on the ‘Mattie in the morning show’ for the morning drive to promote the walk. In 2001 we adopted the team name Meghan’s Caramba! Caramba! is the website for Ian Gillan, lead singer for the band Deep Purple. We approached Ian in June and our friendship continues. He allowed us the use of his site name, along with a generous donation of a platinum award, presented to him from the Australian Recording Industry. This was auctioned off to The Hard Rock Café and is currently displayed in their Birmingham England outlet with Meghan’s picture. Meghan was also invited back stage that summer at the Tweeter Center to meet Ian and the band, and ended the night being brought on stage to help sing the chorus during their encore! We have stayed in touch with Ian since then, and for the past year, Meghan’s newspaper articles were featured on his website. As a result of this feature; Russia's largest news agency RIA 'Novosti' reported Meghan and Ian’s association and his contribution over Russia's largest radio and TV channels. When the national office first contacted us, Ian’s reply to our decision was “You made the right choice for Meghan & dad Back-stage with Ian Gillan at the Tweeter Center, June 2001 Meghan, she is presidential material”! We have also worked with our close friend and Hollywood actor Chris Cooper who’s impressive resume’ includes; Horse Whisperer; October Skies; American Beauty, The Patriot and Bourne Identity etc. Chris has been very generous in offering various items from his own personal collection for sale or auction, with proceeds going to the foundation. We are currently in contact with Planet Hollywood offering a one-of-a-kind item donated by the Cooper family. A day to remember In 2001, we also saw legislation enacted by acting Governor Swift, brought forward by State Representative Thomas J. O’Brien [Kingston] and co-sponsored by Senator Therese Murray [Plymouth], furthering Governor Paul Cellucci’s proclamation that will forever mark the third Sunday of October as: “Arthritis Awareness Day” for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This to us was a giant success. There are only 365 days in the year, and now the foundation owns one of them. - Camp Dartmouth Hitchcock – Over the last two-years, Meghan also has attended camp Dartmouth/Hitchcock in VT. Each August adolescents between the ages of 10 and 17, who are afflicted with various forms of arthritis, are enrolled at this camp for a week to experience firsthand many of the things others often take for granted. This is a beautiful facility, nestled in a scenic valley, on a lakeside, and is an opportunity for kids to experience directly that they are not so isolated with their disease. The challenges offered in a weeklong comprehensive schedule allow them the opportunity to leave with a proud sense of accomplishment, coupled with memories and relationships that will never be forgotten. In just two years, she, along with the friends she’s met, have come to a better understanding of themselves, others, and their disease. There is no doubt the lasting impact this growing encounter from camp has had: new friendships, new appreciations and new beginnings. We are truly grateful for her experience. - Plymouth’s 2003 Arthritis Walk – We are currently working with the local chapter office developing the second annual Arthritis Walk held in nearby Plymouth. Our goal is to establish the Arthritis Walk as one of our community’s finest efforts and we were thrilled to find that in Plymouth, this new walk was one of the most successful across the country and the turnout was fantastic! One of our most touching memories was when Meghan was interviewed by Plymouth’s PAC-TV and was asked: What do you enjoy most about your role? She candidly replied “I think I’m a role model for other kids like me who have arthritis”. We watched our daughter grow up that very moment. These are exciting times, and we’re very proud to be awarded this opportunity by the national office. Our anticipation is to continue the groundwork laid by Ian Gillan and recruit support in the music industry. Currently we’re working with the band Entrain (www.entrain.com) forming a benefit to help us bring attention that arthritis isn’t only an adult disease, but kids get arthritis too. For this message to be successful, media attention is essential. We are determined to make a difference and with a unified ambition and this new national opportunity, we possess the ability to reach our objective. We’ve been blessed thus far that so many generous individuals and organizations have helped us make our commitment to the Arthritis foundation as rewarding as it is remarkable. .