Jingle Bell Run raises money for arthritis foundation

At 12, like many active kids, Ashley Lewan began complaining of knee aches and joint pain. But unlike common “growing pains,” this hurt didn’t go away – it continued to worsen.

Doctors were initially stumped, but finally, at 14, she was diagnosed with a cluster of autoimmune diseases including lupus, Raynaud’s disease, Sjoren’s syndrome and Psoriatic arthritis.

“Unfortunately, when you get one autoimmune problem, you tend to get a lot more,” said Lewan, now 27.

But the bad news didn’t stop with her. “Within a few years, my three younger sisters were also diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, including arthritis,” she said.

This year, the Lewan family is the honoree for the Arthritis Foundation’s Spokane Jingle Bell Run/Walk. The annual event raises funds for research and raises awareness about this debilitating disease.

The Lewan family knows very well the devastating effects of arthritis.

“I’ve been on about every med you can be on for arthritis,” said Lewan. “Either they have horrible side effects or they initially help, but then stop working.”

The cost of the medication is staggering. “When I turned 26, I was no longer covered under my dad’s insurance,” she said. “My co-pays are $3,000 a month. I can’t sustain that.”

Her sister, Elyse, 24, received an honors scholarship to EWU, but was eventually declared disabled and was unable to finish college.

Sister, Emily, 22, has rheumatoid arthritis. “She had such a severe reaction to biologics (medication) that her only option is pain meds,” said Lewan. Emily has had to postpone her college education.

And Lewan chokes up when she talks about her sister, Mary, a senior at Medical Lake High School. “She has rheumatoid arthritis and misses a ton of school because of it. She had all these dreams for what she wanted to do when she gets out of high school. She wanted to be a marine biologist. Now, she just needs to get a job with enough benefits to cover her medication.”

Though it’s been comforting to have people close to her understand what she’s going through, it’s a comfort Lewan would gladly trade. “I was really hoping to be the anomaly in the family,” she said. “I’d rather be suffering alone.”

Participating in the Jingle Bell Run is a family tradition. “It’s really fun. We get all dressed up. One year we were reindeer – maybe we’ll be Christmas trees this year,” said Lewan.

For them, it’s an opportunity to spread awareness about the impact arthritis has had on their family, as well as raise necessary funds for research to find a cure for the disease that affects so many.

“It makes me sad that people consider arthritis an old people’s disease,” said Lewan. “They don’t realize how hard it is for me to get up in the morning.”