Return of the Old Katfish

John Lynch was a promising athlete, but at age eleven was struck by a crippling illness. He was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (JA), a disease that affects 300,000 children, making them unable to live full-functioning, pain-free lives. Children with JA are called “Katfish,” a name derived from Kids and Teens’ Families Investing Support and Hope.

John continued to seek new treatments, but not until age fifty-three was he given the “miracle drug” that enabled him to sustain a thirty-year legal practice. During that time he dedicated his life to helping others who suffered from JA and became a much-honored advocate for easing their distress.

In addition to chronicling John’s journey from victim to advocate, Return of the Old Katfish includes the stories of children fighting through pain to carve out successful lives. These tales will give hope and inspiration to those afflicted with chronic illness and to anyone who must overcome a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in order to lead a happy and meaningful life.