By PAM SCHIFF

At 3-1/2 years old, Jennifer Grossman was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

She credits her mom’s tenacity and instincts for getting the proper diagnosis.

“I was a terrible baby. Always crying, I was swelling, had inflammations and redness. The doctor kept telling my mom these were normal baby issues. Thank God she didn’t listen to them,” Grossman said.

Unfortunately, by the time a diagnosis was made, the damage to her joints was irreversible.

Grossman grew up in Cranston with her parents and younger sister. Her dad passed away when she just eight years old. She attended the Lincoln School for Girls and Providence Country Day School, and graduated from Cranston High School West in the class of 1996.

“Growing up wasn’t easy. Besides the torrential bullying and ridicule, I wasn’t really allowed to be part of sports or other activities. I always was having blood tests. I was a non-participant, just always on the peripheral,” she said.

Because of her disability, she was found a great escape in film. She would spend hours at the Avon, Cable Car and Park Cinema.

“Films spoke to me, they were my friends. I could be anyone in a dark theater,” she said.

For the most part, Grossman never told her mom about the abuse she was going through.

“I [felt I] needed to protect her. She was always looking out for me. I wanted to protect her in some small way,” she said.

Her family was in the costume jewelry business, so she went to work for them after graduating high school. She started at the bottom, sweeping metal findings off the floor, then was promoted to answering phones.

“Finally I was given real responsibility and was able to go on the road,” she said.

She traveled the East Coast from Maine to Virginia. The job gave her personal validation.

“They trusted me to do the job. I proved I could do it,” she said.

Grossman relished the independence she had, and flourished at sales. “The focus was on my jewelry, not me or my handicap. I was able to take a back seat and just do my job,” she said.

She went back to college in 2004, and it has taken her 10 years to get a two-year degree.

“I had lots of interests, but not direct goals. I liked criminal justice and psychology. I went to Tulane [University in New Orleans] to study English, theater and women’s studies,” she said.

During her year at Tulane, she enjoyed many aspects of college learning and self-empowerment. Unfortunately, one night after attending a women’s rally, she was assaulted by the cab driver giving her a ride back to campus.

“I never made a big deal about it. I kept it to myself because I never wanted my mom to worry about me. I needed her to see me as independent and self-sufficient,” she said.

She is currently finishing up her degree at the Community College of Rhode Island, where she is in the International Honor Society. CCRI is also where she met her personal mentor, theater professor Jeff Butterworth.

“He taught me so much, he had patience, he had understanding and he had friendship. He never judged me, but opened my mind to everything. He taught me life is full speed ahead,” she said.

Not one to let her disability slow her down, Grossman has had a surgery a year for the past five years. In 2009, her left foot was reconstructed. In 2010, her right shoulder was partially replaced, and in 2011 it was her left shoulder. In 2012 she had a right hip replacement, and in 2013 it was the left hip. In 2014, she found out she needs both knees replaced.

With stints at rehab ranging anywhere from six weeks to three months, she is giving herself a break right now. She is mobile, but relies on a wheelchair for longer walks.

While the disease has limited her functionality, she knows it cannot touch her mind.

Grossman has many goals on her list, but right now she is focusing on finishing up her latest project, a short film shot in and around Cranston and Providence. It is about forbidden love in 1930s Providence, and it is called “Taboo.”

As a member of the LGBT, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, community, she tries to represent her feelings through her creative outlets of writing and filmmaking.

“I want to inspire people with my words, my journey, my life. I dream of being published, and seeing my films on the big screen,” she said.

Her personal mantra is words can help, hinder, hurt or heal. It is all in how they are used.

“Are there days when I say I hurt, this sucks, why me? Of course, but then I think about the people who really have it bad, and I think, why not me? I turn my pain into art, and try to express myself to the world,” she said.

Grossman will be participating in the Walk to Cure Arthritis on May 17 in Lippitt Memorial Park in Providence. She is exciting to be at the walk this year.

“Three years ago, I was pushed in a wheelchair for the walk. Last year, I walked a mile,” she said.

Her goal this year is to walk the same mile, but raise $3,500, which is $500 over what she raised last year. She is also proud to be one of the 2015 Rhode Island honorees.

“No matter where I go in this life, or what I do, or what I become, I cannot thank my mom enough for being there for me. Her love, determination and unconditional support are what keep me going. She doesn’t have any idea that she is my hero, and I cannot express myself fully to thank her for all the sacrifices she has made for me,” Grossman said while speaking of her mom, Eileen.

Keeping true to her creative roots and passion, Grossman has started her own film/production company. Seven Times Productions produces short films focusing on the LGBT and disabled communities and the extraordinary challenges they face on a daily basis in society and their personal lives.

For more information about her films, her company and her life, check out www.7xproductions.com.

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GETTING THE RIGHT SHOT: Grossman and her director of photography Ed Wright frame a shot at Meshanticut Lake for “Unconditional,” which was filmed in December. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Grossman)