Real Arthritis Stories Archives

Beyond the Pain: Finding Freedom and Community

For many, arthritis isn't just about achy joints or a sore back; it's about the small, daily losses that add up over time. It's the… Read More

Where Are They Now? Abbey’s Journey with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Meet Abbey, a 21-year-old full-time university student who was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) just before her second birthday. Her childhood involved frequent hospital… Read More

Camp Freedom: A Life-Changing Experience for Kids Like Jessica

Like most four-year-olds, swinging between her grandparent’s hands was a game Jessica loved to play. But when it ended in dislocated elbows and a trip… Read More

Children with Arthritis Depend on Camp Freedom

It all started with a toddler tummy bug. What should have been a simple bout of gastro, left three-year-old Summer crying in pain for weeks.… Read More

Living Well with Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Lene Andersen Living well with rheumatoid arthritis — isn’t that an oxymoron? There’s pain, stiffness, doctor’s appointments and endless fatigue. Is it really possible… Read More

Ankylosing Spondylitis: My Unwanted Life Partner

With hindsight, my ankylosing spondylitis story began when I was eleven years old. Whenever I put any weight on my left leg, I began to… Read More

Peter’s Story on Living with Gout

I work in the electorate office of a senior member of the WA Government. Being a desk job it is quite sedentary and weight has… Read More

Lana tackles arthritis to climb to dizzying heights

My name is Lana, and I have been living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) for the last 27 years. When I put a time frame on it… Read More

My Chronic Pain Journey: From despair to diagnosis

Vanessa had experienced various symptoms throughout her teenage years, many of which were never diagnosed or brushed aside. But as the years progressed and new… Read More

Juvenile Arthritis is a childhood missed

Sixteen-year-old Macy Vaz has spent most of her life in crippling pain. Diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis in her left ankle and left knee when she… Read More

Sabrina Hahn: Arthritis no match for Australia’s gardening expert

Sabrina Hahn is one of Australia’s most popular gardening experts, sharing her considerable horticultural expertise with her trademark optimistic enthusiasm and down-to-earth approach. A qualified… Read More

Born to Run (and how I overcame the hurdles along the way!)

I have always been a very active person and have been a competitive runner since the age of nine, competing at a national level as… Read More

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: Diagnosis makes a difference

Some of us are naturally more flexible than others, or hypermobile as the medical people describe it. For many, being hypermobile is not a big… Read More