Keeping A Secret: A Story About Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
A story about a girl's struggle to come to terms with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Elizabeth Murphy-Melas did not have a simple task in writing this book. Like many other books intended to help children accept a difficult reality in their own lives, "Keeping a Secret" succeeds in conveying information and giving emotional support. The story is clearly secondary.
"Keeping a Secret" begins at a soccer game, when Jennifer collapses in pain as she tries to score a goal. The next day, she goes to the doctor, who refers her to a pediatric rheumatologist. The specialist diagnoses juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and explains that she'll have to take medication and start a daily exercise program.
Jennifer is upset that she won't be able to play soccer anymore, but the doctor encourages her to focus on other activities she enjoys that she'll still be able to do: walking, swimming, and taking long walks. On the ride home, Jennifer tells her mother that she wants only her teacher to know about her condition, not the other kids at school: "They will think I'm weird or worse, like an old lady!"
The book is brutally honest about what it's like to live with the condition. Some mornings Jennifer finds it hard to bend over to tie her shoes. Sitting at her desk for long periods is uncomfortable. Carrying her books is so difficult, her teacher gives her a second set to keep at home. But the hardest part for Jennifer isn't coping with the pain, but keeping up the pretense that she is merely suffering from a knee sprain.
Finally Jennifer decides to invite four of her friends to sleep over, telling them that it's a "surprise party." Of course, when she tells them the "surprise," her friends are unanimously kind and supportive: "It's okay, Jennifer," one says. "You're still our friend." I couldn't help but think that any friends, even the sweetest ones, would be slightly disappointed to discover that the surprise wasn't something more fun, like a trip to an amusement park or a make-your-own pizza party.
However, I am clearly reading this book as a person who doesn't have, and doesn't know anyone with, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. If you are the parent of a child who suffers from it, this reader review on Amazon.com is all you need to know: "I am 10 years old and have arthritis. I got this book and I could relate to it. I decided to have a sleep over just like Jennifer did so I could tell my friends. I give it 5 stars, it was GRRREAT!"
