Anne, 73, is a registered nurse with her own home-care services business in Georgia. She was diagnosed with osteoarthritis 42 years ago. She maintains a healthy, active lifestyle, competing in equestrian events, horseback riding in foreign lands, walking, and doing aerobics. This year, she walked more than 26 miles, in 7 hours, 17 minutes, during the Arthritis Foundation’s Joints in Motion marathon in Dublin, Ireland. Here, she shares her inspirational story and enthusiasm for life.

What was your first sign that something was wrong? What symptoms did you experience?

I was working as an operating room nurse, and my hands began to hurt and swell. My spine started hurting in the lumbar region (lower back). It was very painful. I would stand at the stove cooking with tears rolling down my face. About 10 years later, my knees became bad. They were so swollen; I couldn’t pull my jeans on. The doctor said I wouldn’t be walking in another 10 years. Now I have arthritis in all my joints, but my knees remain the worst. My current doctor was surprised