John Lynch was a promising young athlete, but in the spring of 1959, at the age of eleven, he was struck with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), a chronic, painful and disabling disease that today affects 300,000 children in America and makes them unable to live full-functioning, pain-free lives. Children with JRA are sometimes called Katfish, a name that derives from Kids and Teens' Families Investing Support and Hope. John sought treatment continually, but not until age fifty-three did he receive the “miracle drug” that enabled him to sustain a thirty-year-long legal practice. During that time, he dedicated his life to helping others who suffered from JRA, and became a renowned 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 courageous children who fought through agony to carve out successful lives. These tales will give hope and inspiration to all those who are afflicted with a chronic illness and to anyone who must overcome a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in order to lead a happy and meaningful life.
