My Favourites

This months blog has been inspired by one of our KAWarriors who asked me a very important question at our last Support Group.

"What are two of your favourite sweet foods to cook?"

They then went on to tell me about their favourite ones which consisted of chocolate chip muffins and fruit salad stick. 

I had to stop and think for a moment about the answer as I love cooking many different foods. If you're a friend of mine you'll know I love surprising them with muffins or slice. To either say thank you or just put a smile on their face. 

I get my love of cooking from my father. I remember being a child and waking up to the smell of pancakes on the weekend and trying to guess what flavour they might be. Banana was and still is my favourite covered in ice cream and fresh fruit. They would be in different shapes and letters, but always made with love. 

Now that I'm older I still love my dad's pancakes, but enjoy making them for him on the weekends. Covered in maple syrup with juicy fresh fruit! 

My other favourite sweet treat to create is no other than my Grandma Oinn's banana cupcakes (are you seeing a pattern here?)

They are so easy and sometimes I even had a hint of chocolate chip or sultanas in there to mix it up. 

Both are incredibly easy to create and so delicious that you can't help, but share with others around you!

Eating a healthy diet is so important to everyone, but when you live with Juvenile Arthritis it's even more important. The statement: you are what you eat, is incredibly true and should be remembered on a daily basis when making food choices.

If you would like any of my two favourite recipes, please let me know as I'd love to share them with you!

JIA and Me

Through Kids Arthritis I've been able to begin many life changing and Australian First Education and Support programs and events to the children, their families and children all over the world living with Juvenile Arthritis. 

This has only happened because of people just like you. Yes, you reading this blog but, what you're really doing is learning more about Juvenile Arthritis which now means you are now an advocate for this hidden yet common condition. 

There's one Australian First program that I'm really proud of. It's not our School Support Program or our Online Support Group. It's our Southern Support Group.

Why?

Well all I ever wanted and still want is to meet others living with Juvenile Arthritis, no matter their age or severity of the condition. Like thousands of others around the world, I just want to meet others like me. This is so I can share with them about my condition, my highs, lows and just know that someone else actually understands what I have to live with everyday!

I know I'm not alone as everyday I hear from children, their families and carers just looking to connect with others just like them. This is why Kids Arthritis Southern Support Group means so much to me.

What I would have given just to have a group like this growing up. I know it would have made a huge difference to my conditions.

If you're reading this and live with Juvenile Arthritis or know a family who does. Please invite them along to Kids Arthritis next FREE Support Group: www.facebook.com/events/241781209598283/

Not 'Just a Girl' Anymore.

November 26th, 2016 the last Kids Arthritis Board Meeting for 2016. 

Kids Arthritis Board Members.

Sarah Hammond, Arsene Iribuka, Marjorie Hammond, Jenny Bennett, Rhys Jarrett, Brett Freeman

At this time I'd just been nominated for Start Up Adelaide Volunteer of the Year and was waiting eagerly for the ceremony. We also took a moment to look back on how far as an organisation we'd come. Everything that we'd achieved in our first year as Australia's First and Leading organisation, Kids Arthritis. 

Start Up Adelaide Volunteer of the Year Award.
Brett Freeman, Sarah Hammond, Mathew O'Donorfrio.
                                                                                






We just held our second annual Christmas Celebration for children, their families and careers living with Juvenile Arthritis and looking forward to the afternoon as it was our Board Christmas Lunch, but volunteer afternoon tea.

                                                                                    Emily, Sarah, Arthur the Arthritis Bear, Lucy.

You could say I was pretty happy and we were all excited about what we've all achieved together to Change the way the World views Arthritis. When in fact it was just the beginning to the excitement that was coming in 2017!

Monday 23rd January, 2017. Australia Day South Australia Awards 2017.

The day I was named South Australian Young Citizen of the Year. Not just nominated, but actually won this prestigious award. 

It was a great feeling knowing that finally after 23 years of living thinking that not many cared about what I lived with and doing through Kids Arthritis, everyone finally wanted to know and help out! The phone didn't stop ringing and emails kept flowing with interviews, letters of support and most importantly. Children, their families and carers reaching out and sharing their story living with Juvenile Arthritis. 

The awards didn't stop there. Next came Mount Barker Young Citizen of the Year and Mayor's Achievement Award on Australia Day 2017!

The best part of all this?

Not only was my family there, but supporters of Kids Arthritis and children who live with Juvenile Arthritis. This is extra special because these awards are not for me. They're for the 1 in 1000 Children in Australia living with Juvenile Arthritis. Everything that I do in my life is for them. For their families and careers as well. As I don't want any child, family or carers living the way I had to growing up.

To watch the videos or see everyone's smiles at both these exciting events, please head here: www.facebook.com/kidsarthritis

Just remember that "the ones who are crazy enough to change the world, are the ones that do."

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.

Biggest and Bluest Night in Australia

Arthur's Big Blue Night is Australia's Biggest and Bluest Night in support of the 1 in 1000 Children in Australia living with Arthritis.

It's a lot of work, no wait. It's a MASSIVE amount of work that goes into create this Big Blue Night for children living with Juvenile Arthritis.

Just like Kids Arthritis Australia everyone involved is a volunteer and the event is no different.
Volunteers or as we call them, KAVolunteers come from all over the country to volunteer their time for Kids Arthritis Australia. 

This year is very special as it is our second annual event and we are having LIVE local acts at the event! Local harpist and guitarists will join us this Saturday night. The biggest LIVE act is Katie, KAWarrior who battles Juvenile Arthritis will once again bring joy to all who attend through her piano. 

The yummiest part of the evening is all the delicious local produce that is served to all that attend. These delicious sausage rolls, cakes, sandwiches, everything you could ever image. Are made by local KAVolunteers for the guests to enjoy. You never go home hungry from a Kids Arthritis event!

Inspirational Speakers will grace the stage sharing their journeys battling Juvenile Arthritis and what it's really like living each day in pain. 

There's an auction, live music, fresh, local home baked food, inspiration and the Auctioning of the famous Kids Arthritis Quilt!

It's a night out for the whole family and it's happening THIS SATURDAY from 7pm!
If you can't attend but still want to make a donation, please head to the Kids Arthritis website.

I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday! 

How to Find Your Passion

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 do I Ask the Doctor?

Since the invention of Google in September 4th 1998, people have been jumping online to self diagnose. 

This is incredibly risky and I don't recommend anyone do this. 

There's a reason doctors study for many years, so that they can treat you in the best possible way. Even though my life experiences with thee medical professionals haven't been the best, I owe my life to them. Without their knowledge and skills I wouldn't be here and you wouldn't be reading this. 

When a child is first diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis there's so many questions racing through the heads of those involved. In this weeks post I have compiled through my experiences with JIA a list of questions to ask your health professional.

1. How will the Juvenile Arthritis be treated?

This one is the most important and should be asked first. There's many different methods and your doctor will know which one is best for the child.

2. How can the other symptoms be managed?

When your child has Juvenile Arthritis (JIA) there will be many symptoms that your child will show. Every child' JIA is different, so this question can only be answered by your doctor not, Doctor Google.

3. Is there any activities that my child do to relieve pain and swelling?

Exercise for anyone is important, but what's important here is that you are refereed to a physiotherapist or other health professional by your doctor to manage these conditions.

4. What causes JIA?

A common question that you can find a more in depth answer here. 

5. What if symptoms come back?

Symptoms may come and go when living with JIA, but having a trusting relationship with your doctor will make this easier. Stay in contact when ever you can with your doctor and seek advice from other support organisations.

6. Will my Child always live with JIA?

All my life I waited until I was 16 years old, as that was going to be the age my JIA would disappear. It didn't, but I still wait for the day it does disappear. Even if it does I'll still be left with the side effects. Every child is different, so keeping in contact with your doctor is most important.

7. What medicines might treat this condition?

There are many different medications available, but each one is different just like the children who require them. Some do sound 'scary' but, the one thing we do know is they can help. Once again your doctor know best and they'll know what is suitable for your child. 

Always remember there is now support out there for you. I began Kids Arthritis Australia as there was none when I was growing up with JIA. If I didn't begin the organisation, children their parents and careers would still be living like I did. Isolated and alone battling this hidden yet common condition.