At the age of seven years old, Julia was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Julia was an active advocate for those with disabilities and volunteered at the local, state, and national levels..
They also held many positions of leadership in their church. elementary, high school, college, and adult.
They served as Bible study leaders at different levels, e.g.
They had been active in the churches they attended until Julia\'s health worsened.
They were married for thirty-six years and are the parents of two boys and grandparents to three grandchildren.
About author(s): Julia and Steven McClanahan are graduates of Vanderbilt University, BS molecular biology and sociology and University of Tennessee, BS Mechanical Engineering, respectively.
She knew this to be true because she has traveled this road.
Most importantly she shares that the Lord gives victory amid adversity.
It was Julia\'s desire that through her journey others would see the strength and hope she experienced.
Her team was led by Jesus, with her family, friends, and medical staff rounding out her team.
Julia believed in the "teamwork" concept of dealing with her disease.
She also had opportunity to share her faith in Jesus Christ as she walked the road set before her.
The opportunities she had included marriage, being a mother, serving as an advocate for others with disabilities through volunteer activities with the Athritis Foundation at the local, state, and national levels.
The obstacles included eight joint replacement surgeries (the first at age 15), a major cervical fusion surgery, and numerous other surgical procedures.
The journey she traveled was filled with obstacles and opportunties.
This is her journey from being wheelchair bound to graduating from Vanderbilt University with a double major.
This was during a time when there was little awareness that children do contract this disease.
At the age of seven years old, Julia was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
