Race for Our Kids 2017-Meet Miniya

Her symptoms were alarming: body aches (particularly in her neck and spine), extreme sensitivity to light and noise, and some paralysis in her hands and neck.

Miniya Tate, upon the recommendation of the school nurse just before the Thanksgiving holiday in 2013, was immediately taken to a nearby emergency room. The initial prognosis was that Miniya was suffering from flu-like symptoms. She was given ibuprofen and sent home.

But Miniya's condition worsened over the Thanksgiving holiday and she was rushed back to the ER, this time for a spinal tap; both the school nurse and Miniya's mother, Terese Johnson, also a nurse, suspected spinal meningitis. After several tests, it was confirmed that Miniya had viral meningitis, an inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. She was cleared to go home, but over the next few days experienced persistent migraines and body aches and couldn't bring herself to eat or drink. She was again rushed to the ER after her veins collapsed and was given fluids and started on a BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) diet. Miniya's pediatrician, Dr. Barbara Weis, ordered physical, occupational and speech therapies as well as hydrotherapy and a feeding program. In addition, Miniya had to be monitored for depression, anxiety and insomnia. She also was tested for Lyme disease, evaluated by specialists at The Krieger Eye Institute, and treated for inflammation on the right side of her body-specifically in her elbow and knee-which was diagnosed as reactive arthritis resulting from her recent medical trauma.

Miniya eventually overcame her bout with meningitis, but more health challenges were ahead. She developed back spasms and was referred to Dr. Edward S. Gratz, division head of pediatric neurology at The Herman and Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai. After undergoing a four-hour MRI, Miniya was diagnosed with chronic pain disorder. Then, on New Year's Eve in 2016, Miniya was rushed to the hospital after escaping an afternoon house fire. She had inhaled smoke, which was of great concern because of her asthma. The staff at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore's Greenspring Pediatric Associates provided Miniya and her family with donations of linens, small appliances and cookware to help them replace items they lost in the fire.

A beautiful girl with a big heart, Miniya, who was born at Sinai Hospital, loves working with children with special needs and has a passion for arts and crafts, music, poetry, drawing, and cosmetology. She also enjoys listening to audio books.

Now 17, Miniya still suffers from chronic pain and anxiety, but continues to persevere. Despite her health challenges, she kept up with her school work, attended her senior prom and graduated from Dulaney Valley High School (Timonium, Md.) this past spring. She plans to attend cosmetology school in the fall and ultimately wants to go to college and major in architecture, interior design and business. She dreams of one day becoming an entrepreneur. Given the resilience and determination Miniya has shown in overcoming her health problems, there is no doubt she has what it takes to achieve her goals.

Join Miniya and her family in celebrating the 13th annual Race for Our Kids on Sept. 17. There will be chip-timed 5K and 10K races as well as a one-mile Family Fun Walk. A post-race party will follow. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Samuelson Children's Hospital.