Don’s Story

Don Dravland, Arthritis Champion (or warrior) and 2024 Adult Honoree, Walk to Cure Arthritis   

We are pleased to have Don share his journey this evening. Don was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the of age 27 in 1987. In February of that year, he had a left hip replacement. Don started working at the Pines Country Club in Valley just 3 weeks after his surgery.

In 1991, Don was having trouble with his right elbow. He went to Rochester, MN to the Mayo Clinic. The surgery was done by taking tissue from his right thigh and putting it in between his right elbow bones. This is the simple and short non-medical version of Distraction Arthroplasty. 

Along came 1993 for a surgery on his left wrist. An 8-inch plate was inserted. Don asked Dr. Garvin to give him a 20 degree angle so he could grip a golf club.  Dr. Garvin got him 22 degrees, which made Don very happy.

In 1994 he had his second left hip replacement. In 2003, Don had his third hip replacement, all on the left side. All three were performed by Dr. Schwab. All surgeries were performed at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln.

Here he is in 2011. After seeing Dr. Jacobs for Don's pain, he prescribed Enbrel injections. He does not know what he would do without these injections.

As of May 7th, 2023, after a right wrist fusion he was ready to play golf again after 2 years. Don maintains a positive attitude. He misses playing competitive golf (now he is a casual golfer with no expectations). But he does not let rheumatoid arthritis slow him down.

This is Don's story. For those of you who know Don, he does not let this disease stop him. His attitude with what he lives with is amazing.