Layla, a UC Berkeley junior, was diagnosed with JM at nine. After a terrible hip pain, she was hospitalized, but, and it took months of tests to diagnose JM.
Layla experienced first hand the lack of clear treatments for JM and the ongoing physical and mental toll that came with feeling like a burden to others because of having to avoid triggers like inflammatory foods and being outdoors. Her frustration was often directed at her doctors for not diagnosing her earlier and more clearly communicating the availability of new treatments like methotrexate that could have greatly reduced her symptoms but terrified her at the time.
As a pre-med student and JM patient, Layla understands the importance of research and trials. She hopes her work will ensure doctors are available, thorough, and communicate clearly, and that patients have a voice in their treatment.