My daughter Krystal is 17,she has Juvenile Diabetes and just diagnosed with RA as well. She has a really great doctor, but the meds that he says work the best like enbrel, etc are very risky with her Diabetes. The alternative he has for her is a combination of pills, these pills take several months to work while he says her RA is aggressive and she may have a few distructed joints within several months. This is her senior year in high school and is now being tutored at home to save her from some pain and give her rest when she needs it. Just when we were starting to plan college and independence she is now at a crossroads and we don't know what to plan now. I find lots of people telling me to get her on SSI and to get help from various organizations. What should I be doing for her. I want her to esstablish some independence like most 17 year olds but she doesn't even have her license, we are affraid her reaction time will be slow due to her hands and ankles. Any one have any good advise on what to do next, how much do I push her to get active in future plans and the world of RA, What kind of things should I expect now? 
Hi There,
I just read your post and the only advice I can offer is let her get her license. I have had RA for 18 years now and I was diagnosed at 18. And, like your daughter, my disease was extremely aggressive those first few years. By the time I was 21, I had had my 1st hip replacement and by the time I was 25 I had both of my shoulders replaced and my feet reconstructed. That said, without my liscense, I would have been very lonely. It was difficult living with the disease, but like your daugther (and yourself) I looked at university as a fresh start. I became a teacher (with much support) from my family and the ability to drive myself to classes and build a schedule around what works best for me. Maybe while you are at home with your daughter you can talk to her about what she wants/feels she needs/etc. Getting involved with the Arthritis Society is also a very good thing for your daughter.
I hope this helps.
Merry Christmas,
Cathy
Toronto, Canada
Mom to 3
Thank you for the advice on Krystal's license. I want her to have some freedom, but I don't want her slow reactions and pain to cause her an accident. She has applied for Early Childhood classes at a Technical College close by. She loves kids.
We have an appointment with a DVR specialist in the area to get her started with all of this schooling and everything. I am hoping that we can get her some really good help. Thank you for sharing and taking the time to give advice.