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The London Marathon has always been on my bucket list - an incredible display of humanity, kindness and togetherness. This year, I found it even more emotional watching a close friend complete the challenge (congrats Melissa) and have been left feeling inspired! I saw the Versus Arthritis vests and I dared to believe and applied! That process alone made me stop and reflect on the impact arthritis has had on my family over the past 4 years, something I haven’t felt able to do before now. Receiving the call asking me to be part of team Versus Arthritis 2024 was very overwhelming and emotional - I am committed to giving it my best go and raising what I can for a cause so close to our hearts. Here is our story…

Our daughter, Mali, was born in May 2017 making me a Mum for the first time - the love I felt was something that cannot be described! One week before Mali’s 2nd birthday we noticed her limping on one leg. Over the following weeks, this got worse along with losing her appetite, not sleeping well and seeming to be in pain. After a very long 4 months with three visits to A&E and an overwhelming feeling that something wasn’t right, we got seen by a Paediatric Consultant and Mali was diagnosed with JIA in September 2019. After two unsuccessful steroid injections under a general anaesthetic, she started a course of oral steroids as well as methotrexate and folic acid. This medication settled things down and Mali was able to move freely again, which was such a relief to see after months of restricted movement. I’d love to say this was plain sailing but she developed a fear of hospitals and needles which was tough as we were injecting her weekly and she had regular blood tests and so many appointments to attend. After nearly 2 years, she came off the medication but sadly faced a joint flare 7 months later. We tried steroid injections on two separate occasions, both under a general anaesthetic, but it didn’t settle things so it was back on the medication. 9 months later we hit the next challenge - abnormal bloods over a 4 month period and concerns about her liver. This settled but then repeated so we planned to come off the medication and start a new one...the return to injections at home triggering anxiety at a new level.  

I am running for all the Mums, Dads and caregivers who are supporting young children with arthritis. The responsibility to be their voice, make the right decisions, keep a check on their mental health, juggle appointments, sort medication, reassure, combat fears, hold them as they have a general anaesthetic, and put a brave face on when inside you feel weak. I am certain I’m not the only caregiver whose heart hurts watching all that we see our little ones go through, and I want to recognise that. 

Having said that, the true hero’s are the children who deal with JIA and everything that comes with it.

My motivation is my little girl, Mali, and the braveness she has shown to navigate life over the past 4 years. I am so proud of her, more than she will ever know. 

Big shout out to the care we have received, and continue to receive, by our amazing NHS - in particular the paediatric rheumatology consultants, nurses and psychologists at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and Southampton Children’s Hospital - we are forever grateful.

Millions of people wake up with arthritis every morning and face the day in pain, without the support and recognition they deserve. Arthritis attacks what it means to live and people with arthritis are often left to manage alone.

Versus Arthritis invests in breakthrough treatments, the best information and vital support for everyone affected by arthritis.

If you can, please sponsor me so that together we can overcome the pain, isolation and fatigue of arthritis.