Living with severe Juvenile Arthritis has it's problems.
Never ending pain, stiffness that just doesn't go away, constant reliant on medication, I could go on..
Driving is one of those things that most people take for granted.
Need more milk or bread? Just jump in the car and drive to the shops.
Got to pick up your friends from the work function? Just jump in the car and pick them up.
In the above two scenarios I've mentioned two of the problems I have l have living with Juvenile Arthritis.
You can never just "jump in the car' to get something. If having Juvenile Arthritis was that easy you'd all want it. Especially at night time it's the hardest.
Driving to and from my weekly radio show is a problem I have especially during the winter months, as by the end of the show it's pitch black!
Living in a small country town doesn't make it any easier due to the lack of public transport, sorry, no public transport at hours that anyone would want to use it.
I'm very lucky to have some sight in my left eye and each time I drive I'm grateful for the privilege.
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.
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.
