Winter and Juvenile Arthritis

“It’s cold.”

Is the usual beginning to conversations during winter, but a side to Juvenile Arthritis that many don’t know is how this weather effects our condition.

There are many different types of research done into weather and Arthritis. You only need to jump online to see, but there’s not much there in relation to Juvenile Arthritis and the weather. So I decided to undertake my own research through Kids Arthritis to see if I was the only one being effected this way.

“How does the weather affect your Juvenile Arthritis, Sarah?”

Is a question I’m asked when speaking at community groups or conferences about Juvenile Arthritis. The answer can sometimes surprise people. The weather plays a huge part in my condition. Each year until my 13^th birthday I was admitted to hospital for surgery in September/October due to inflammation and pain in my joints that needed to be removed. The fact that it was the same time of year every year made me always wonder, 

“I’m sure I am not the only one.”

Turns out I’m not and through the research, I undertook through Kids Arthritis, I found that a high percentage of those I spoke with had the same issue.

The beginning of Winter is when the pain is most severe during Winter. Swelling appears and your reliance on medication to get through the day becomes more prominent. Once again, this isn’t just something that happens to me, it’s happening to a high percentage of children living with Juvenile Arthritis in Australia.

 If you ever meet a child or adult living with Juvenile Arthritis rather than asking them,

“How are you?”

Ask, “Do you have any pain today?”

This shows to us that you do care and want to know how we’re really feeling.

Arthritis and Time Travel

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. 

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.

Needle Problems

If I had a dollar for every time I needed a needle jabbed somewhere into my skin. I would be living somewhere on a private island researching a cure for Arthritis.

No seriously, it really is that much.

Now I am not talking about just little tiny blood tests, I am talking about medication injections, infusions, transfusions, drips and the list goes on.

I have had so many jabs by a needle that now even for a simple blood test check up an anesthetist is required to get the needle in to get enough blood. I am also not talking about a normal needle that anyone over the age of 5 years old has, I'm talking about a tiny butterfly needle.

Here's a photo of one if you don't know.

It is quite a small needle that takes much longer than using a "adult needle" that is quite thick and much longer.

This is a sad thing to have happened to me. I'm only 22 years old and already am having vein problems. The nurses say I am a 22 year old with the veins of a 80 year old (Sarcastic Yay). The way I have been told to fix this is not to have any needles jabbed into me. 

Well this is impossible.

Another thing you may not know about me, is that I have never looked at a needle in my skin.

NEVER!

but that is a story for my next post.

Until next time,

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