Connecting with others

In this section you can find stories shared by the JIA at NRAS Community. Search for stories relevant to you, and other ways you can join the community.

JoinTogether online groups

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for many RA and JIA patients and parents/carers of children with JIA to be able to find new ways to connect with others like themselves. Through these new digital groups you can connect with others with similar interests and lifestyle choices. All groups are run by NRAS Volunteers.

Find out more

Your Stories

Yes, kids can get it too

I’m going to be honest, I’m awful at writing about myself. I find it awkward and I’m never sure if I’m too whiny, or if it comes across that I’m trying too hard to be light-hearted and just ends up sounding absolutely miserable as a result. I am a worrier by nature, so I of course panicked when I was told that I had developed a disease.

Summer’s story – a mother’s perspective of life with JIA

Summer was 7 when she first complained of aches and pains in her legs. I put it down to growing pains which I remember having myself as a child. These pains went on for weeks and progressively became worse, so I made an appointment with our local GP who suggested she had a blood test.

Lucien’s Story

When I look at a photograph of my boy just before his 3rd birthday, he’s like a live wire, bursting with energy. That’s the way we see young kids. Yet my kid has what’s called Systemic Onset Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis which is the rarest form of JIA and can have the greatest impact.

Bella’s story

At 18 months old, Isabella-May woke up feeling poorly with a high temperature and sickness – nothing overly concerning. By the next day she was limping and still poorly so we took her to the GP who decided she had an ear infection. A week passed and she still wasn’t right. She was barely moving and limping when she did.

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Because of your generous donations JIA-at-NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by JIA.

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