Let's go back in time. 12 months ago to be exact and take a look at what life was like at the end of my 21st year living with Juvenile Arthritis.
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.
This photo of Tahila cuddling Arthur the Arthritis Bear taken by the wonderful Kids Arthritis Media Man, Rhys. Reminds me of how that one moment that someone actually listened to me about my Juvenile Arthritis struggles, is now helping so many others just like me.
I had to create a movie looking back at how far not only Kids Arthritis had come in the past two years, but myself. From humble beginnings getting three supporters and myself around a table to discuss a way to create awareness. To a National Launch that attached not only local Identities, but community members from all over Australia together in one place. Not to mention a whole radio show on Hills Radio devoted to the world changing evening, with interviews from children, parents and community members all sharing in the cause.
We have now been named a fastest growing non for profit in our area. Offering more programs and holding more events in our first year of official operation than most other organisation of our age. This gives me great pride, as each day I awake no matter how much pain I'm in or fatigued I may be, to change the way the world views Arthritis.
To some this is a huge fate, but to me, it's my life and will always be my life. The children I come in contact everyday all have one thing in common besides living with Juvenile Arthritis, that is; SUPPORT.
Kids Arthritis is Australia's First organisation solely dedicated to supporting Children living with Arthritis. I know it's hard when you've lived an isolated life where you think no one understands about your child's disease, that someone or even a organisation out there really cares this much.
Well we do! We care about how your child feels, what's going on in their lives now and in the future. Not only that but, you as parents, grandparents and friends. What it feels like for you. Kids Arthritis Australia is here to help. We have parents, friends, children and professionals who live with Juvenile Arthritis everyday for you to talk to. We're all volunteers and are in it for you not for the money. We want to help and support children, their families and carers living with Juvenile Arthritis in any way possible.
If I read this ten or fifteen years ago, I would jump on the opportunity for a healthier and better life surrounded by others just like me, living just like me. If you're reading this now and know a child living with Juvenile Arthritis, please don't be ashamed to seek support from myself at Kids Arthritis Australia as we are here for you everyday.
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.
