Joseph Verrekia, 6, Stands Up To Arthritis

BROOMALL–It's something you expect to go through later on in life, but not when you're 2 years old, just getting used to operating those two sets of two limbs down there.

"Somewhere around the time before his second birthday, he started to complain of pains," said Julie Verrekia, mother of then 2-year-old Joseph. "We thought it was growing pains and then shortly after, he had severe swelling in his left knee and he was in a lot of pain."

The news that the Broomall family would receive seemed as if it came out of left field. After several diagnoses, Joseph was finally diagnosed with having juvenile arthritis.

"My mother, unfortunately, suffers severely with osteo-arthritis," said Verrekia. "He [Joseph] was the first child we had heard of having arthritis."

Joseph, who takes steroid injections and medications from time to time, describes the pain as "it kind of hurts" and when it's really bad, which usually happens at night, "it really hurts in my foot...sometimes, it makes me cry."

Now 6, Joseph is a first-grader at and although he's been fortunate enough that the serious pain usually happens at night after school hours, his knees are still inflamed.

"The doctors are amazed that he would continue to go to school," said Verrekia. "I think he just has a very high tolerance and doesn't know any differently because he's so young."

But the more she talked to others about it, the more Verrekia realized other children were also suffering with juvenile arthritis. This time last year, Verrekia started researching ways the family could give back to the community, as the season calls for, and stumbled across the —the perfect organization that Verrekia knew would be near and dear to their hearts all the more that year.

When Joseph started to understand his condition, and after participating in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk, he started to spread awareness his own way.

"I handed these papers out about the Arthritis Foundation in class," recalled Joseph. "I thought it would help people join my team."

With a quick response from friends and family, the Verrekias raised approximately $1,500 in a matter of a couple of weeks. Since then, the Verrekias have pledged to continue to stay involved. This year, the Verrekias are committing themselves to raising $5,000, and as of Nov. 30, the team had already raised $5,852.

On Dec. 11, Team Joseph Verrekia will be running or walking in holiday regalia in support of Joseph and others suffering with arthritis, both young and old. But this year's Jingle Bell Run/Walk, which will be held at , will be a special year for Joseph. The Arthritis Foundation's Eastern PA Chapter will recognize Joseph during the walk/run for standing up to juvenile arthritis.

Although there was a walk/run for children, Joseph decided to walk the entire 5K with the rest of his older team members.

"Last year, I walked it and I want to try running it this year," said Joseph, who believes he has grown closer to his grandmother, considering they both live with different types of arthritis. "Yeah, I think we understand each other more."

Besides being an honoree in this year's run/walk, one of his favorite things about the Jingle Bell Run/Walk is the breakfast. "That's my favorite part."

And despite the fact that he's one of the youngest participants and one of the youngest people he knows who suffers from arthritis, Joseph continues to stay upbeat.

"Sometimes, it's pretty hard, but I want to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation—that's why I want to do this, so that it would be for the doctors to find medicine to help other people like me," Joseph said.

Like any young boy his age, Joseph becomes animated when talking about playing sports. He's already taken swim lessons and played soccer and baseball, but what Joseph is really looking forward to is playing football for the Marple Newtown Junior Tigers next year.

Some would say he's built to be a lineman, said Verrekia, but Joseph has his eyes elsewhere: quarterback.

"Next year, it's going to be pads, and next year it's tackle; the year after that, it's going to be the helmets and after that we don't need any more gear," Joseph said excitedly. "I want to play in high school. I like sports, but I like football very much."

An Eagles fan, Joseph's current favorite player is DeSean Jackson, who replaced his previous favorite Donovan McNabb. Though he loves football, Joseph said he sees himself becoming an engineer someday because "I like to make cool stuff."

According to the Arthritis Foundation, Joseph will be joined on Dec. 11 by 2,000 walkers and runners who are expected to raise $280,000 for arthritis research and programs. In addition, veteran NBC 10 journalist and eight-time Emmy award-winner Lu Ann Cahn will preside as Master of Ceremonies. Participants are encouraged to dress in holiday attire and all are given jingle bells to tie to their sneakers as they run or walk, according to the Foundation.

To learn more about the Jingle Bell Run/Walk, visit their website here or call the chapter office at 215-574-3060 ext 116. You can also place a donation directly for Team Joseph here.