"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.
