I have always wanted to create change and awareness about Juvenile Arthritis. My mother and I spent many years of my life trying to create it but, it just never happened.
My Uncle retired a few years ago from the job he spent 42 years doing. Each day he'd travel 3 hour trip to get to and from work. Why did he do it? Passion. He enjoyed his first and only job he did since finishing school all those years ago.
We all have passions.
It could be creating delightful cakes for family, like my friend Tiffany.
You could love spending time modifying and creating your dream car, like my friend Brett does.
Maybe you love the bus trip into work, the people who surround you in the space and what difference you make through the role you do, like so many of us do.
I spent many years searching for a way to do my passion.
When the suggestion of creating Australia's First organisation was talked about, it was always put down as 'too hard' by those who were supposed to be helping me.
While completing high school I tried to get ahead of the others and study Health and Fitness at an adult campus, while completing schooling. Once I finished school I was accepted to work at my local gym. From there I got another job at two local childcare centres, as I thought these were my two passions. I make it sound so easy to get these roles, but it wasn't. To learn more, read my other post about Disability Discrimination.
Turns out I was wrong and when it was time to lay off workers, I was the first to go.
After this I started my own Health and Fitness Business which I ran for a little over two years, before running a charity and business became too much living with Juvenile Arthritis, which one of them had to go.
From that moment I was able to focus more on supporting Children living with Arthritis. I don't get paid for any of the work I do. If I speak at community groups, events, conferences, etc and receive a donation in return. It goes straight to the Australian First Support Groups that Kids Arthritis Australia run.
Each week I spend just over 30 hours changing the way the world views Arthritis, but why would I do this if there's no money value in return?
Passion.
Supporting the 1 in 1000 Children in Australia living with Juvenile Arthritis just like myself, is my Passion.
These children need support, their families, careers and siblings need support. They need help and awareness of this common yet hidden condition they battle everyday and who better to do this than someone who's battled it for her whole life.
What's your Passion? Let me know on Facebook.
www.kidsarthritis.org
What were you doing at 17 years of age?
Had you finished school? Were you dating your current partner? Annoying your siblings? or all of the above?
At age 17 I asked my mother if she would take me to the Australian Institute of Fitness in Adelaide to apply for study.
This was a HUGE shock to my family, as I'd always despised exercise due to the pain of it all and the lack of motivation due to it. I could understand and control my Juvenile Arthritis more by this age and wanted to learn how to help others through health and fitness.
Sure enough we headed from the Adelaide Hills to the big smoke, hopped on the new Adelaide trams (for the Adelaide residents among you) and headed to the Institute. After a few hours we walked out and I was accepted to gain a Health and Fitness Qualification.
Due to completing Year 11 and 12 at the time, I had to take on the study as part of my SACE. This was a challenge as not only did I need to juggle school subjects, but this qualification and my Juvenile Arthritis.
During the study there was many practical parts involving intense exercise, but I always managed to complete and pass just in my own little Sarah's Way. If you have a child living with Juvenile Arthritis, you know what I'm talking about.
12 months later I was a qualified health and fitness specialist.
At age 18 years my first job was at a local gym and from there I began my own business. This was a fun and rewarding experience. I met many people with different goals out of life and this was always the best part. People would come to me with all walks of life. I ran many weekly exercise classes, even one in a Pub. Many days were spent in my gym creating personalised programs and making memories with everyone who walked through the door.
Earlier this year it became a little too much running a small business (that wasn't quite small anymore) and a large national organisation. After 6 years in the industry I focused more on Kids Arthritis Australia.
People who have read my other posts would know that each day I exercise with heavy weights, as it's the most effective, natural way to help the Juvenile Arthritis stiffness and pain to cease for the day.
Don't get me wrong some days it's just too much to exercise, but you'll still find me battling on lifting those weights to make the day that little bit easier.
Maybe you love the bus trip into work, the people who surround you in the space and what difference you make through the role you do, like so many of us do.
From that moment I was able to focus more on supporting Children living with Arthritis. I don't get paid for any of the work I do. If I speak at community groups, events, conferences, etc and receive a donation in return. It goes straight to the Australian First Support Groups that Kids Arthritis Australia run.
Passion.
