Rhonda Griffin, Journal Editor

ELIZABETHTOWN — Fre-quent shoppers of Elizabethtown Walmart have likely seen the familiar face of store associate Crystal Call, who always seems ready with a smile and a friendly “Hello.”

What most people, including her fellow co-workers, do not know about Call is that she lives each day in pain.

Born with a rare genetic disorder called Multiple Ephyseal Dysplesia, or MED, the illness affects the joints, most often in the legs and hips. Though the 28-year-old has lived with this painful disease since birth, Call now has a chance at a new life.

New medical procedures are available to give Call the prospect of a life without aching in her joints, allowing her to do the many things we take for granted each day. After her surgeries are complete, she will be able to enjoy pain-free walks with her husband, Jason, and to run and play with her daughter, Taylor.

While Call is in the hospital for her first surgery this week, friends, family and co-workers are planning a bar-b-que benefit bike ride to assist the family with both medical expenses and other financial needs during her leave from work.

The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, beginning at Guy’s Auto Repair and Body Shop at 142 Mercer Mill Road in Elizabethtown.

Registration will be held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., with a donation of $20 per single and $25 per double. Meal is included in the donation. The ride will leave at 11 a.m., and will return around 1 p.m.

Plates will also be sold during the event from 11 a.m., until 2 p.m., at a cost of $6 per plate. A bake sale will be held on the day of the ride, along with a 50/50 drawing, door prizes and various raffle tickets for donated items.

Donations of small gift items to be used as part of the raffle on the day of the event would be helpful. Cash donations are also welcome to assist the family.

For more information, contact Buddy at 874-3300; Ricky at 876-0773; James at 874-4052; Tina at 588-4085; Donna at 872-9997; or Polly at 874-3301.