Swollen knees, swollen bills
<p>Coeur d’Alene Press staff gather after making a $500 donation to Christmas for All. The funds were collected by employees as an effort by Brenda Hanson, multi-media marketing consultant, over a two week period. From left, Aafke Murdock, Camie Wereley, David Habrat, advertising director, Kayle DeTienne, Brenda Hanson, Steve Hanson, Kathy Behm-Churches, Paige Plew, Julie Lilienkamp, Patty Vogt, Nicole Choquette, Steve Welch, Angie High and Beth Hanggeli.</p>
It took a long time for this mother of two to get an official diagnosis for her toddler. In the meantime, all she could do was worry a lot and watch her child suffer.
"We didn't get the official diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis until last summer," she said. "Several months before that we noticed her knee was swollen to the size of a baseball. We got her to the hospital and they had to do two surgeries on her, but we still didn't get a diagnosis.
"Arthritis runs in my family, and eventually we were referred to Shriners Children's Hospital in Spokane and they sent us to Seattle Children's, where we had to wait three months before we could get an appointment."
Despite the fact that both the mother and father are working, medical bills for this family are steep and climbing higher.
"My poor baby. She takes six medications every day and one of them has some pretty dire side effects. She's quite the trooper.
"On top of seeing a lot of specialists, her meds are very expensive for us and we've been paying some high out-of-pocket medical expenses. This doesn't include what it costs to get her to Seattle for treatments. Sometimes, if her doctor goes to the clinic in Missoula, I can save a little money by driving over there rather than to Seattle."
The mom said the financial problems alone have been stressful for the entire family.
"I hate the feeling I have to scold my husband for buying a pop on his way to work because there isn't any extra money since I suddenly have to spend an extra $15 on some new medication.
"In a weird sense, this whole thing has definitely been a bonding experience for our family. When we do get together just for us, it's pretty precious."
With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for people like this - the jobless, homeless, those who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.
Each year, our generous readers' donations allow us to assist thousands of Kootenai County families in need. Each day until Christmas, we will share the stories of those whose holiday memories will be a little happier because of Press Christmas for All.
Donations are collected, then distributed in the form of gift cards to Kootenai County residents in need.
Press Christmas for All is a holiday charity now in its 28th year. It is managed as a nonprofit by The Hagadone Corp. Because it is run by volunteers from The Hagadone Corp. and their partners at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, every penny raised is distributed in the form of gift cards from local retailers who also generously support the program. The cards can be used to buy food and gifts but not alcohol or tobacco products. All contributions are tax deductible.
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