Natalie Decker is an athlete in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, and she says, “In the mornings, I can’t even open up a water bottle to drink. I have to have someone else do it for me.”
On Sunday, Decker announced that she has been fighting against juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) since birth. She revealed on Tuesday that she would select the Arthritis Foundation as her charity of choice.
The 22-year-old competitor was diagnosed with RA at the age of 2. She says the doctor’s originally told her she would need hip replacements before turning 20 and that she would most likely be in a wheelchair.
Defying their prognosis, Decker is now competing as a professional stock car racer.
Her family helped push her to tell her story in hopes of inspiring others suffering from similar experiences. She says, “I didn’t want people to think of me as weak or look at me that way. I’ve been wanting to do it for a while but I’ve just been so nervous.”
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints. It causes the body’s immune system to attack its tissue and in serious cases, it attacks internal organs.
Arthritis is the No. 1 cause of disability impacting 1 in 4 Americans and nearly 300,000 kids.
Specific to Decker’s case, RA affects all of her joints and causes her eyes to dry if she does not put in, what she calls, extremely painful eye drops.
Working around the disease presents Decker with a lifestyle where she must maintain physical activity throughout the entirety of the day. She reiterates the importance of eating healthy, staying hydrated, and always moving. Her daily workouts consist of exercises for NASCAR as well as RA.
She says, “I’ve never really thought about it, it’s just kind of my normal life.” What she calls normal, her loved ones see as motivational.
Decker’s boyfriend Derek Lemke says, “I’m a little jealous. I wish I could have half the work ethic that she has. I’ve noticed the more active she is the better her body responds with arthritis.”
He calls her smile contagious and constant positive outlook on life inspiring. “It doesn’t matter what is going on, she and her whole family are really good at just smiling and looking at the brighter things in life.”
Decker was apart of the Drive for Diversity program from ages 17 to 18. The purpose of this program is to help attract minority and female individuals to race car driving. Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suárez compete in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and were also apart of the program.
“I really hope I can get more fans to be apart of NASCAR and follow my journey and my career. I was apart of that for a year and it was so wonderful.” After announcing her disease, she may be attracting the female demographic as well as those suffering from RA.
Being a female NASCAR driver is a minor constituent for breaking into the industry. She says every rookie experiences their adversities, but gaining the respect of others and showing a lasting commitment to the franchise should be a top priority.
Decker started racing after spending her life surrounded by snowmobile racers. Her father, Chuck Decker, won the 1987 World Championship Derby race at Eagle River for snowmobile racing and previously owned the World Championship Snowmobile Derby.
Her father has left a lasting impact on her attitude and mentality. “My dad raced and I look up to him so much, and I always ask him questions about racing, business, and life that will help me in my career. Even though he did snowmobile racing, it’s still the same thing.”
Chuck Decker says, “Her doctor would ask my wife and me how often she complained about being in pain. When we told him she never did he couldn’t believe it as he knew she was.”
They spent every Sunday together for two years watching NASCAR, and one night she looked at him and said, “Dad, I’m going to be a NASCAR driver.”
He says, “The only values I ever shared with her is if you truly want something you need to work for it. There are no free lunches.”
Another driver she looks up to is Martin Truex Jr. of the cup series. Decker says she admires his driving style and the way he holds himself in competitions- her noticeable humility is reflective in the way she discusses her life and accomplishments while still learning from other drivers.
The Wisconsin native is encouraging fans to buy a spot on her hood for the homestead paint scheme. After the race in Homestead, she will auction off the hood of her No. 54 DGR-Crosley Toyota Tundra as well as her Fyshe Fire Suit from the race, Arai Helmet, and race gloves. All proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation to help provide resources and support to those like Decker.
In the press release for Decker’s announcement to support the Arthritis Foundation, she says, “Supporting this cause means so much to me, as it has been a big part of my whole life. We can make a serious impact in these children’s lives with your help!”
Written by Christina Robben
