Local Ambassador to Lead Arthritis Walk

Lizzy Disco, of Gales Ferry, has been named the 2011 Mystic Arthritis Walk Ambassador.  Along with her family and friends, Lizzy will lead the Annual Arthritis Walk on Sunday, Sept. 25, at Olde Mistick Village. 

She invites residents in southeastern Connecticut to join her in supporting the Arthritis Foundation as it works to prevent, control and cure the more than 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases.

Lizzy, 18, her mother and sister have all been diagnosed with arthritis. Lizzie was only 5 when she was first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  Over the years, she has tried many different medications, physical therapy, vitamin supplements and treatments, but her doctors have yet to find a cure.

In February, Lizzie required knee surgery and with complications from arthritis she was forced to finish her senior year of high school at home.  Though she lives in pain daily, she found a way to help others with arthritis by joining the Mystic Arthritis Walk committee five years ago.

This walk gives her a reason to keep trying and to live positively, working toward a goal, and trying to be a voice for other kids living with arthritis. Lizzie has just started to walk again and her hopes remain high. She starts college in the fall with the help of a $1,000 scholarship from the Arthtitis Foundation.

You can read her complete story, donate to her team, or register to walk at www.mysticaw.kintera.org.  For more information, call Luellen at 800-541-8350 orlperkins@arthritis.org

About the Arthritis Foundation

Based in Rocky Hill, the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is the leading health organization addressing the needs of the 50 million adults and 300,000 children living with arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability.

The Foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; supporting research and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.