She Shall Overcome

Martha eventually switched to riding a stationary bike to take the pressure off her feet and knees. A year later after her first symptoms she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Martha began medical treatment for her condition. It took 8 months before the welling in her joints subsided enough to allow her first to walk, then to run.

"I still have trouble with my feet, but running helps," say Martha. "I'm fortunate because the medication is working well for me. It allows me to run. The lesson is that you can take control of your arthritis not let it control you. You may have to change some things, but you can still be in control."

The story doesn't end her though. Martha's children were so impressed by her recovery and perseverance that they decided to entire the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half-Marathon in her honor. When they called to tell her she was shocked then told then "not without me". Her husband, Don, who has osteoarthritis and gout, also entered. And one of her kids suffers from fibromyalgia.

This past January, Martha, Don and two daughters finished the half-marathon together in a little over 3 hours. The other daughter and friend finished the marathon. Together, the family raised $13,000 for Joints in Motion. Though Martha's doctor has supported her running, he has also advised her to not attempt the full marathon distance. To that she says, "I'm never going to say never."

*Reprinted by permission of Runner's World magazine. Copy written 2002, Rodele Press, Inc. All right reserved.