Juvenile Arthritis Life Hacks

I will never let my chronic illnesses stop me from living my life.

I'll always attend celebrations or meetings no matter how much pain I'm in or fatigued I am. 

Since founding Kids Arthritis I've received many messages full of questions from children, their families and carers who finally have somewhere and someone to turn to for support. 

Many of these questions have been in relation to my experiences living with Juvenile Arthritis among other chronic illnesses. 

This month I've created my list of Juvenile Arthritis Life Hacks.

Medication and health conditions list.
This is helpful for many reasons. If you're in an accident and medical help needs to know these quickly, hospital treatment stays or if you require care from someone at your home who needs to be aware of this. Keeping it on the fridge, car, bag or anywhere in easy reach is a essential I believe when living with a chronic illness.

Office Chair as a Wheelchair

You'll never think of it the same.

Lists, Lists, Lists

The thing with this though is that it has too be done the night before as the next morning your body could be riddled with pain and stiff joints that just don't want to move. Having a plan of action for the next day is always a positive thing to stay motivated and focused.

Finally, Asking for help.
I've placed it last as it's the one I want you to remember the most. Asking for help doesn't make you any less capable of that job or task. We all need a little help from time to time in our lives. Whether it's washing the dishes, catching a bus to work or simply needing a listening ear. We all need to help ourselves, but help others when they need it too. 

Flowers for Charity

We all know a person that loves their garden, they may even be you, but my mother loves her garden for a special reason.

As a child I remember each year she’d take up more and more room in our backyard to grow more flowers which for 21 years she has grown, bunched and sold on the Echunga Main Street for Juvenile Arthritis. She does this between ANZAC and Mother’s Day. During this there are many community members who come together and show their support not only for the work my mother is doing, but for the 1 in 1000 Children in Australia living with Juvenile Arthritis.

I remember one year spending part of this time in hospital for Juvenile Arthritis related surgeries, but it didn’t stop the community passion to help support Children living with Arthritis. While my mother spent time in hospital with me, the volunteers were at our home creating bunches of flowers, as they knew that I wasn’t the only one living like this and by them helping more people would learn about the condition.

Another story is about the many times throughout the years when it would rain just before Mother’s Day. Now my mother spends all year cutting, watering and pouring a whole heap of love into these flowers and when the week before Mother’s Day the rain comes and ruins her work, it’s a hard thing to watch.

I need to mention these aren’t any flowers, they’re the special Mother’s Day flower; Chrysanthemums. Their unique smell and bright colours they’re the perfect flower to give a special lady or person. If you need a reason to grab someone a gift or add some colour to your home, head through Echunga between ANZAC and Mother’s Day to show your support for the 1 in 1000 Children in Australia living with Juvenile Arthritis.

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!