Real Arthritis Stories

It was pure joy standing on the start line, I had zero expectations and was simply happy to be doing what I love.

This financial support has made it possible to travel to all the training and games and I am very grateful for the assistance from The Arthritis Movement, thank you.

I first realised something was really wrong with me when I developed ankle pain in May last year. After seeing a physio for a few weeks, it was getting worse rather than better. I was eventually diagnosed in October with arthritis – different doctors refer to it as “spondyloarthritis”, “ankylosing spondylitis” or “seronegative arthritis”

The greatest challenge in having rheumatoid arthritis for me physically is having two naturally fused wrists and a foot joint which is basically the same. This has always gotten in my way, giving me excuses as to why I can do this or can’t do that.

In March 2015, I woke up with a swollen and sore foot and a toe that looked like a sausage. Thinking I must have kicked it during the night, I continued with life as usual.

I took Millie to our GP and was referred to see a paediatrician. After blood tests and scans were completed, Millie was referred to a Paediatric Rheumatologist who gave us the bad news that Millie had Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).