It's the most wonderful time of the year!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year."

I think the above phrase should be changed to.

"It's the most painful and inflaming time of the year."

Why you ask?

In Australia Christmas Time is during summer. Our Summers reach a low of 28 degrees to a high of 42 degrees and higher. This sudden change in temperature every day activates my Arthritis and sends my inflammation sky high!

When I was a child and for 13 years in a row, this is the time of year I was admitted to hospital to have inflammation around my joints removed or a surgery to do with medication abuse and side effects. Most of the time it was for both and it would take me out of school for 4 to 5 days straight.

Now missing school is every child's wish, but for me. It never was. 

My wish was to be able to attend school so I could learn new and exciting things, but to also have the social aspect with my friends. 

As adults if we don't keep in contact with a person, we essentially loose them as a friend. This is what happens to a child with Arthritis. Due to pain, inflammation and stiffness. The child must go see a doctor which then leads to time away from school, which then leads to loss of social contact. That finally leads to a whole lot of problems which a child doesn't need in their lives.

These children just like me suffer every day in pain and stiffness which means they may find it hard to do every day things. This was the case for me around this time every year.

"What do you have swollen this year Sarah?" is what my friends always ask me.

Well this year it's quite exciting (please note my amazing sarcasm skills) my left elbow is quite warm, is much larger than my right one and it hurts so much that I just don't know how I managed to type this blog post. 

Except we all know how I managed to write this post. It is because no matter what time of the year it is, or how much pain I am in. I live for supporting children just like me living with Arthritis. As I always say; there's no point giving up because what I suffered with as a child would all be a waste.

Until next time,

Keep smiling as you never know who's day you'll brighten. 

There's more to Sarah

As you have read in other posts (if you haven't read any others, you now have to) I do more than just Kids Arthritis.

I come from a community minded family. For as long as I can remember Monday nights dad has always attended Country Fire Service volunteer meetings. Since I turned 17 years old and my Arthritis became easier to manage my mum has been volunteering with the elderly through community activities on a full time bases. My brother has always been apart of Country Fire Service Volunteer Cadets, so that one day he can be a volunteer like dad as well. 

Then there's me.

From the age of 12 years old I have volunteered with the local Kids Club. I first started as the dish washer then moved to not only becoming apart of the team but organising and running the games. These days I organise and present the story and help with craft creation all still part of the same team. This is something I have always enjoy as I love helping children grow and develop. I have done my days of childcare work and realised it just wasn't for me.

Life Bursts on Hills Radio is another passion and hobby of mine. When people ask what I do in my off time they are shocked that one of my hobbies is being on the radio. As I have mentioned before in another blog post. I find radio not only fun but rewarding, as I get to meet new people every week and hear a Burst of their Lives with the help of Matt.

I have fun every Monday transforming people's lives through health and fitness. If you have watched any of the Sarah Talks videos you will know all about this. 
When I was younger the physiotherapist would give me a new exercise sheet every monthly visit and ask the same question. 

"Will you do your exercises this month Sarah?"

My answer would always be.

"Yes, of course"

Why did I lie? Why couldn't I just tell her how I really felt?

Growing up in a world where people don't know that Children live with Arthritis is hard, so it was hard for me to speak up and tell her the reason why I wouldn't do my exercises. (Now you have to check out my videos to find the answer: www.youtube.com/pranks4kidsarthritis)

So from being a child who didn't enjoy exercise to someone who one day said;
"Mum can you please take me to become a Personal Trainer?"
Was a huge shock to everyone around me who know how bad my Arthritis really was.

Now I inspire my wonderful clients each week with the battles I went through just to be here, and for all of you who are now asking. Yes I do enjoy exercise, I now do it every morning just to unstiffen my joints for the rest of the day.

There is more to me than just 'That Girl with Arthritis' rather I am a women of all trades who loves just being helpful in my community.

Until next week,

Keep Smiling as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

This week Sarah is dairy intolerant.

This weeks post gets its name from Rhys from RawCutAU. This guy does so much for Kids living with Arthritis I swear he gets sick of my voice because of all the editing he does for the videos.

For the last couple of months when I have had my late morning dose of caffeine, all thanks to the reoccurring Lupus that just doesn't want to give me a break. I have felt quite sick afterwards and sometimes it wouldn't stay down, rather come back up again.

When you have Arthritis doctors sometimes can not give you an answer. You can spend hours having tests done to get back the results you knew you were going to get. After a life of wasting hours doing this, I now sometimes try to find out the matter before going to see a doctor.

On this occasion I knew that milk upset me but wasn't sure whether all dairy would have the same effect, so when my friends went out for pizza. I joined them to see how the dairy in pizza would effect me. Same reaction as the milk but this time it actually stayed inside me.
I tried different dairy and came to the conclusion that the Arthritis has changed my immune system once again and now Soy Milk is my best friend. 

As I do at Kids Arthritis we are open and share with one another what is going on in our lives. 
It was a Wednesday and it was filming day for #Pranks4KidsArthritis and Rhys was pouring coffees as he usually does. Before it came to mine I had to interrupt him and pour soy milk into mine rather than dairy milk. I explained to him the story I have just told you and this is how the title for this weeks post came about. 

Having Arthritis doesn't just effect your joints but sometimes your internal organs as well. All Arthritis medications are designed to alter the child's body to help it keep their disease under control. If you ever do experience any unusual feelings even if you don't have Arthritis, please speak with a doctor. I have had Arthritis long enough that if something isn't right, I will try and fix it within reason and then head to the doctor, because if I didn't I should live in a hospital.

So to Rhys who not only volunteers his time support Children living with Arthritis but to a dear friend who is a listening ear and a laughing companion, thank you for all that you do. You really are someone special.

Until next time,

Keep smiling as you never know who's day you'll brighten. 

What is Lupus?

The year was 2013 and it was my usual Rheumy, or Arthritis doctor to those who don't know the Arthritis lingo. It starts with a blood test that usually takes more than half an hour. This is because my veins are quite thin due to the thousands of times they have been broken because of infusions, operations and blood tests.

From here it's the wait to see the Rheumy and into her office I go.

Now I am referring to this particular appointment as this was when I was told I had an extra strand in my body that is known as Lupus in my case.

Up to this point I had experienced times of getting lost while out driving, feeling more tired than usual, random vomiting throughout the day and a rash all over my body that was made worse through sunlight. Now if you have any of these symptoms please do not assume that it's Lupus, please go see you local doctor.

This moment that the Rheumy informed me of yet another autoimmune disease was attacking my body, I did feel just a bit frustrated with the result but at the same time there was nothing I could do to fix it.

Now for those who don't know what Lupus is, I found an easy explanation on MedicalNewsToday.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces antibodies to cells within the body leading to widespread inflammation and tissue damage.

Any part of the body can be affected by lupus as it has an array of clinical manifestations affecting the skin, joints, brain, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels and other internal organs.

When I am diagnosed with a new condition, which happens quite a lot these days. I ask as many questions as possible to the Rheumy and she refers me onto the internet for more information. Some of my favourite facts (sarcasm) about Lupus that I found online are:

- Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can be mild or life threatening.

- More than 90% of Lupus suffers are Women.

- Staying out of the sun is perhaps the most important thing to do.

What does make me furious is that my Lupus may have been prevented as it's believed to be medical induced. Which means the medication I may have once taken or take now have caused Lupus. 

Even though it's another disease I now have to live with everyday, I do have a life and this life may be short for me, but I am determined to live everyday to the full and to live it supporting other children like me with Arthritis.

Until next time.

Keep smiling as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

Thanks for an Amazing 21st year!

I don't know about anyone else but on my birthday I not only enjoy celebrating the past year of my life, but thinking about all that I have achieved.

This year I was 21 years old and looking back, Wow I have achieved some pretty amazing things for someone of my age with my type of disability. 

Not only have I started an organisation that is dedicated to supporting Children living with Arthritis. 

I have also been successful in not needing an infusion every 4 weeks and a tablet every morning to stay alive, rather just the little yellow tablet.

Come into contact with some amazing KAWarriors who suffer with Arthritis everyday and who have been supported by Kids Arthritis (Yes you, Emily and Kristy!)

Organised and hosted my very own event, Big Blue Night in support of Kids Arthritis.

Began Life Bursts, a radio show every Wednesday from 4pm to 6pm on Hills Radio, with my wonderful other host Matt and had fun learning everything radio again from Crash!

Created hundreds upon hundreds on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts all in support of Kids Arthritis.

Raised over $3,000 in support of Children with Arthritis.

Taken way too many selfies on my SnapChat, some even ended up on instagram; www.instagram.com/kidsarthritis

Thought Bitstrips were cool and annoyed all my friends with them.

Consumed too many cups of lemon tea while eating fresh fruit with oats, I say fruit with oats as there's always more fruits than oats.

Celebrated birthdays and deaths of love ones this year (this includes my pet chickens and ducks).

Had fun #Pranking4KidsArthritis with Rhys from RawCut and spending too much time infront of the camera telling lame jokes. www.youtube.com/pranks4kidsarthritis

Helped so many amazing people achieve their health and fitness goals through my Health and lifestyle group and personal training not only in my home town but Adelaide too!

www.facebook.com/sarahfitnessechunga


and the most important one.

Learnt that others do really care about my story, my pains and how I want to support Children with Arthritis. Before this year it was so hard but I thank everyone who has been apart of my life this year because you have helped shape me and made me believe that I really can change the world through supporting other children just like me with Arthritis.

Until next time.

Keep Smiling as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

Some of the wonderful Ladies Only Morning Fitness Class.










Myself and Emily at The Ethelton Entertainers Peformance this year. www.facebook.com/EtheltonEntertainers

"Arthritis doesn't just effect the elderly, it effects children too..."
Me at Big Blue Night for Kids Arthritis this year.

I love bringing Bursts of Peoples lives to our listeners every Wednesday on Life Bursts with Matt.
It's one of the highlights of my busy week.

Arthritis in Children Sucks

I started writing a blog after many years of people wanting me to write down my feelings and share my story so others can understand what it is like to have Arthritis as a child.

As I have said in my other posts that having Arthritis Sucks! It doesn't just suck in the way that missing the bus home from work or the way when you get stuck at a traffic light you would have been able to beat if the slow driver in front has moved a little bit faster. 
Having Arthritis sucks more than you could ever imagine, what makes it worse is that I know no other way of living, breathing or being.

Through Kids Arthritis when I meet and speak with other children with Arthritis they also say it sucks, then I ask why?
One child said because I can not run around with all my friends in the playground.
Another said because I can't sit on the ground to read a book with my brother and finally the one I relate to the most is.
Missing so much school due to appointments, pain and swelling which them means tiredness and nothing being able to get done. This then leads to falling out with friends and study which then makes the Arthritis worse.

Once people realise Children get Arthritis, they then learn that it doesn't just effect your joints with pain and stiffness, but it effects your emotional state. I am no saying we get depressed, some may but in my experience you just feel useless. For example last weekend I was preparing my family getaway celebration to the beach for my birthday, but my father had to step in to finish preparing as I could not stand or walk anymore. It's times like that you feel useless because all you want to do is GET IT DONE! but you can't, because the pain just makes you stop and you can't do anymore until you rest for a bit longer.

So to all those children out there reading this. Yes Arthritis sucks, but what ever you do. 
Please don't give up. 
It may be hard now but you just wait until tomorrow because it might just be a little brighter.

Until next time,

Keep smiling because you never know who's day you'll brighten.

(Here's a Sarah Selfie from my Birthday Weekend away)

How was your morning?

Something that I get asked a lot is What's a typical morning for a Girl with Arthritis?
Every day is different but a typical day goes like this. 

Woken up by the birds in the trees and a pain in my right hip. Sometimes I can move it other times I just lie there waiting for it to decide what it's going to do. I feel it has a mind of its own but then I remember, I control that mind.

As many of you know I am blind in my right eye but have minimal vision in my left eye that requires a daily contact lens or glasses use. I prefer the contact as my eyes are too big and my face to small to find a pair that fit just right. The contacts go in and usually by then my hip has decided to move.

The Meloxicam pills are swallowed and the adventure to get clothed begins.

I like to keep the clothes I wear the next day fresh next to my bed so that if I'm in too much pain to do anything I don't have far to walk to get clothed. The part that annoys me the most are my socks and shoes. I have my shoes laces pre tired so that I don't have to rely on anyone else to tie them but the socks are the most difficult part. If no one is around to help then I have the 'Sarah Way' of getting them on. It does take more time so sometimes I ask my dogs for help (not really, but imagine if that could really happen) 

Once the PJs are away in the drawer next to my bed and the bed is made I head to the gym for my morning unstiffening aka workout as the normal people call it. 

During this 'workout' my key exercises I complete everyday to unstiffen myself are:
10 minutes on the exercise bike 
100 Squats at 60kg on a smith machine
80 Lat pull downs at 25.5kg 
60 Jack knives with a 10kg weight
60 Chin Ups 
40 Tricep dips 
80 Leg Press at 140kg
On days when I am not so stiff I do more (which isn't often)
You may be thinking WOW THIS IS A LOT! but you have to remember that I train very hard everyday because if I have strong muscles, I'll have strong bones which leads to a healthier life, hopefully.

From here I mix myself a fruit smoothie full of bananas, peaches and strawberries with a bowl of yummy oats. 

What is your morning like? Head to my Facebook page and please let me know. www.facebook.com/sarahhammondgirlwitharthritis 

Until next week,

Just keep smiling as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

What is Family?

I come from a small country town where everyone knows everybody and on the eve of my 22nd birthday I thought I'd tell you a bit more about my family.

When you internet search 'Family' the following appears from Wiki:
"In the context of human society, a family (from Latin: familia) is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity (by recognized birth), affinity (by marriage), or co-residence (as implied by the etymology of the English word "family"^[1]) and/or shared consumption (see nurture kinship). Members of the immediate family includes spouses, parents, brothers, sisters, sons and/or daughters."

Family to me is everyone I am close to, the people who you can just pop over and have a cuppa with at any time. The people you have over for lunch and dinner. Those people that sometimes you don't mind if they're still over when the party has finished.

With my 22nd birthday coming up next week I have invited my family to help celebrate with me in a way that we do best. Over a lovely meal cooked that will be cooked with love by my father.
My father makes the best Weekend pancakes in whatever shape you want and chocolate moose with sprinkles. 
My mother who is always looking out for me with my Arthritis and there to take me to any appointments that I need. My younger brother who helps me with any computer or programming problems and I know is up for a game of COD at any time. (Call of Duty for those who don't know). 
My Great Auntie who is sisters to my now deceased Grandmother, and creates the most delicious pavlova. My Uncle who loves working on the farm but always has time to recreate my grandmothers famous slow cooked rice pudding that we all love! 
My other Uncle who when he isn't out fishing brings us his freshest fish. My Auntie who always giving me the latest copy of her English magazines so I can catch up with all the latest English gossip. 

Finally my boyfriend, who I never thought I'd ever find. Who understands what pain and suffering I deal with everyday and still helps me smile. His wonderful mother and brother who accepted me into their family. 
There's more to my family like our next door neighbours who we spend Sunday Night Family dinners with and so many more in my little country town. 

Family to everyone is something different, full of different people of different ages but we all have something in common. That is that we all care for one another.

Until next week,

Just keep smiling as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

I have hobbies too..

When I was 15 I took part in work experience at a local community radio station and at this time I had taken myself off Prednisolne and was quickly loosing weight that had been gained through this.
My passion for radio all started because of my Arthritis. At 12 years of age I was asked to have an interview on the SA Radio network ABC. From the moment I walked into the radio studio, it could see myself really liking this. Then when we were on air it just flowed so naturally and this is where the passion sparked.

If you have read my other blogs you will see time and time again that I don't look up to anyone or idolise anyone as I am my own hero, but in a radio sense. Peter Goers is the inspiration. When I am driving after 7pm only in the lighter months, you will hear his radio show bursting from my car.
I describe his shows to others as an old fashion type of program, which I love.

From my work experience it lead me to beginning a youth show on that very station and after 6 long years it was time to move on to bigger things in the industry.
Hills Radio was where just recently as a 21 year old created "Life Bursts" a show where my host and I bring a burst of peoples lives through the air waves to you.
Other radio shows interview people about their work and their job position but at Life Bursts it's all about where you came from and why you love life, which I find really interesting.

Radio is fun as a hobby as I get to meet new people and talk all I want as I produce and host the show with Matt my other host. We get along so well and couldn't ask for a better person to spend 2 hours in a room with each Wednesday afternoon. The passion flows from us both as we work as a team to do what we both love, radio.

Having Arthritis doesn't stop me from doing what I love and neither should things in life that you think are too hard stop you. Yes sometimes it's hard but just remember all those wonderful, pain free moments in your life and everything will be just fine.


Until next week,

Just keep smiling, as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

What is hard?

People think not having their morning coffee makes everything hard.
People also think having to catch the bus or train to work is hard too, but do you really know what is hard?
Having a disease that no one knows about.

When I say this it isn't because I don't think these things are hard as well, they just are particularity harder for me to do than everyone else. Well except the morning coffee part, I have pain killers for that.

People often ask me what the hardest part of having a hidden disease that impacts my life so much is?

I used to have to think about the answer but now since creating Kids Arthritis an organisation to support children and their families with Arthritis, my answer has now changed.

No brownie points for guessing what it might be now though.

Support

Everyday is just made harder by knowing the fact that I don't know anyone who suffers as badly as me who is also my age. All I want is for the children of this generation suffering with Arthritis to feel supported. We all need support in one way or another. Whether it be through death, break up or unwell times, everyone needs support but these amazing children especially.

I have made it my life goal to support these children and their families so they too can live a more pain free and happy life with fellow Arthritis suffers around them.

Until next time,

Just keep smiling, as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

Feelings Hurt

When most young people say that their feelings are hurt I know we mostly think of heartbreak from a lover or family member, but in my case it's not.

It's hard speaking my feelings let alone writing them down and for most of my life I have gone keeping them inside. 

This doesn't just happen to me, any child you may or may not know with Arthritis does the same thing. They do this much like me because there is no one around them that fully understands until now.

Through starting Kids Arthritis I have met so many amazing young children who are still learning about their Arthritis and how it effects them. When I first meet them they are sometimes frightened and nervous about what this disease has in store and just how bad theirs is, this is until I tell them about mine.

Sad to say that when my friends are having a horrible time with whatever it may be I try to lighten their day by saying something that is happening to me. I might say "Well at least you can see out of both eyes." or "Thank your lucky stars you are alive without the help of prescription drugs" 

It seems to just make their problem seem a little less like a problem and that is what I want.

When I tell children with Arthritis about my Arthritis problem it makes them feel just a little bit better about what they are going through. 

Now how does this make me feel?

Well I wouldn't know because I just push those feelings down and block them out. This then gives me the strength to carry on with helping support these children with Arthritis. 

Until next week,

Just keep smiling, as you never know who's day you'll brighten.

The first time is always the hardest..

Hi Everyone,

"I am new to this type of thing and have spent a huge chunk of my life keeping everything that happens to me locked away inside with only a select few being allowed in."

When I read this above sentence on a new blog I think the person may have been through hard times experiencing depression or anxiety, but as I write that statement it is because of something that you may have never heard of before; that is Juvenile Arthritis.

Now what people don't understand about Arthritis is that it doesn't just affect your grandma or grandpa, in fact your newly born bundle of joy can get the crippling disease too.
This is me, one of the estimated 8,000 children in Australia with Arthritis.

So many people over my life have suggested writing a book or keeping a diary as what I have to deal with and experience everyday is unique and interesting in ways you can only start to imagine.
 I did neither, but the book may happen one day.

I have spent so long of my life just thinking that "no one will care", "no one will ever want to read my blog and listen to what I have to say" (well you're reading it now so thank you) and this is how so many other young people with Arthritis think.
This is due to lack of awareness that Kids Get Arthritis which then leads to lack of support that then leads to bullying when a child tries to speak up and you get the drift.

This is what I am changing.

If you want to know more and just can't wait until next week, you can get a head start and learn more about Arthritis in Children and the work I am doing with my own organisation, Kids Arthritis here: www.kidsarthritis.org

Until next week,

Just keep smiling, as you never know who's day you'll brighten.