True stories
Helping people out of pain or finding ways to manage it is incredibly rewarding, explains Zoë Clark
I have lived with some form of inflammatory arthritis since I was 20 years old but originally started working with the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) in 2018 after being asked to write blog posts for their website for young people with axial spondylitis.
Continue readingIt is uplifting to realise that although I might not be able to do everything that I used to, I can still lead a happy, fulfilling life, says Mort Smith
I have painful osteoarthritis in both knees and was scheduled to have a knee replacement operation in May 2020, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; I was left to deal with my symptoms alone.
Continue readingWe have abilities and dreams that we aspire to just like anyone else… Annabel Townsend on how Versus Arthritis helps young people with arthritis
When we arrive at the residential weekend, we are welcomed by the Versus Arthritis team who promise fun, adventure and community support. It is a place where us young people with arthritis (I am 14 years old) can come together and experience adventures and quality time with each other. Continue reading
Since my flare-up I haven’t been able to exercise at all and I’m finding it quite difficult, outlines Jasmine Leslie
I’m 16 years old and live in Cornwall with my family. I’m in sixth form studying A-levels in physics, biology and maths, and hope to pursue a degree in medical physics.
My diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) was quite quick although I know for other people it can take a long time. My dance teacher noticed my knee was swollen and we went to the doctor. Continue reading
Rheumatoid arthritis curtailed my career working with children but enabled me to support and make positive change to the lives of others, says Donna Saunders
Funny how life takes a different route to how you’d planned. Growing up, my dream was to work with children but my career as a nursery school nurse was short-lived due to rheumatoid arthritis.
Being diagnosed with a long-term painful condition at the age of 21 years old was devastating. The RA became aggressive and I became more dependent upon my husband. Our greatest achievement is surviving the challenge of pregnancy, childbirth and raising children, whilst living with RA. Continue reading
