When we hear the word
“arthritis,” the mind tends to pair images of knobby knuckles with white
hair and walkers. Kayla Smeraglia, a vibrant young bride in her twenties,
shatters the stereotype associated with those afflicted by this multi-faceted
condition. Kayla was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the youthful age of
24. With a determined and hopeful attitude, she purposed in her heart to not
let the diagnosis define her journey or limit her joy. Through her
compassionate spirit, she helps the very ones whose shoes she herself has
walked in. As the Development and Services Coordinator for the Arthritis
Foundation in Birmingham, Kayla is not only a leader with a servant’s heart,
but also an empathetic ear to those who find their daily activities suddenly interrupted
by needle-throbbing pains. In every sense of the word, Kayla is truly a
beautiful person. Elisabeth Kübler Ross says it best, “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known
defeat, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths,
These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life
that fills them with compassion, a gentleness, and a deep loving concern.
Beautiful people do not just happen.”
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| Kayla & Frankie Smeraglia |
1) When
were you first diagnosed with arthritis? What were some of your symptoms?
In 2007, during
my final semester in college at The University of Alabama, I started waking up
every morning with pain in my toes. In
looking back, I realize that I had experienced symptoms for many years but it
began to progress during college. The
pain literally felt like I was stepping onto needles. After I would start
moving around, the pain would lessen and I would continue with my normal
day-to-day activities. After an
appointment with a podiatrist I was put on the anti-inflammatory, Celebrex,
which did help to decrease the pain.
After completing
college, I began a job as Director of Marketing and Communications for a
health-care company in Tuscaloosa. After
working for approximately six months the pain in my toes became so severe that
I could no longer wear heels or tight fitting shoes at any time. My only option
was to wear tennis shoes everyday to work. Some mornings the pain was so severe
that I could not even get out of bed. I could not apply any pressure to my feet
without screaming in pain. Getting to
work was beginning to be impossible. I
left my career in Tuscaloosa and moved home to Birmingham. Living by myself and working full-time were
no longer options. I was referred to an
orthopedic surgeon who immediately did blood work. I was 24 years old when I was diagnosed with
rheumatoid arthritis.
I am now under
the care of Dr. Robert Kimberly, a rheumatologist at UAB Medical Center. We are partners in my care. Every decision regarding my care is done as a
team. I currently inject myself weekly
with both Methotrexate and Enbrel. I
also take Celebrex and steroids as needed.
I have learned to manage my disease and medications. Other than medication I believe the most
important part of my care is both diet and exercise. I work out three days a week whether I feel
good or bad. When I am feeling bad, I
always feel better after going to the gym and getting active.
For the first
few years after my diagnosis I worked part time and did a lot of volunteer work
for the Arthritis Foundation. In
January 2013, I joined the Arthritis Foundation as a full time employee. After my diagnosis I made the decision that
my diagnosis will not define my life. My
family and I will do everything we can to help improve both treatments and
outcomes for arthritis patients. My
hope is that in my lifetime there will be a cure for arthritis.
2)
Is it a hereditary condition? What are some ways you personally manage this
condition? Are you on a special diet?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is
hereditary, yes. However, I cannot trace this disease in our family. As far as
a diet, I am not on a special diet. I do eat healthy and work out regularly.
3)
What is your role at The Arthritis Foundation?
I am the Development and Services Coordinator
for the Arthritis Foundation in the Birmingham Office. I am responsible for our
events which include: Mudbugs and Music, Jingle Bell Run Clanton and
Birmingham. I am also responsible for the recruitment and support of our Junior
Board and the development and building of strong relationships within the
business and corporate community.
4)
Before you became the Events Coordinator, you
volunteered at the Arthritis Foundation. Share how this impacted you and how
others can get involved.
Volunteering for the
Arthritis Foundation impacted my life in a positive way. For the first time I
was able to meet people going through the same thing I was and I realized that
there are many people in the Birmingham area affected by this disease. It was
nice to be able to have a conversation with someone about the medication and
the day-to-day experiences. For me, it
was learning to understand how to manage this disease and meeting people just
like me made a huge difference. It is
very easy to get involved and I highly recommend it. If you would like to be involved
with the Arthritis Foundation, please contact me at ksmeraglia@arthritis.org or (205)
314-8440.
5)
You recently got married…Congratulations!! How
did you meet your spouse?
We got married on April 6th,
2013. It truly was the best day of my life! Frankie and I met in our Computer
Science 302 class at the University of Alabama in 2006. We were assigned to
work together on all class projects by our teacher. Needless to say, we spent countless hours
working on assignments and the rest of our story is history!
6)
What are some misconceptions about arthritis?
The main misconception
about arthritis is it only affects adults. This is not true and is actually far
from the truth. Unfortunately, arthritis does not discriminate and affects
children as well. In Alabama, 1.2 million adults have been doctor-diagnosed
with arthritis, and more than 5,000 children.
Alabama has the 2nd highest prevalence of arthritis in the
U.S. There is no cure for arthritis, but are many ways to manage it.
7)
What special events are on the calendar for the
Arthritis Foundation?
The Arthritis Foundation,
Birmingham Chapter has 3 events every year. The first event of the year is in
May and is called Mudbugs and Music. This event is a crawfish boil, with live
entertainment, kid’s activities, food and fun.
The second event is Jingle
Bell Run/Walk Clanton, which is on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013 and
the final event is Jingle Bell Run/Walk Birmingham, which is held on Saturday,
December 14th, 2013 at Railroad Park. This year is an exciting year
because it is our 25th annual event Jingle Bell Run! Come out and
join us for the largest holiday 5K race series aimed to fight arthritis!
The Arthritis Foundation
also has offices in Huntsville and Montgomery. The Huntsville office has 2
events; The Humanitarian Gala which is held in June and Jingle Bell Run which
is on Sunday, December 8th, 2013 at Columbia High School. The Montgomery office has 3 events; Uncork
the Cure which is usually the 2nd Thursday in November, Jingle Bell
Run on Saturday, December 7th, 2013 at Huntingdon College Campus and
Jingle Bell Run Dothan on Saturday, December 7th, 2013 in downtown
Dothan at Poplarhead Park. For more
information, you can visit our website at www.arthritis.org/alabama or
contact Kayla Smeraglia at (205) 314-8440 for more information.
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8)
How can someone donate or raise money for the
Arthritis Foundation?
To donate money or items to the
Arthritis Foundation please visit our website at www.arthritis.org/Alabama and
click on the donate tab or you can send your donation directly to your local
office. To raise money for the Arthritis Foundation, please join us in helping
with any of our events and spreading the word about the effects of arthritis.
Our next event is Jingle Bell Run in December and you can help raise money by
creating a team at http://jbrbham.kintera.org.
Join us today!
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