Arthritis UK welcomed a host of children and young people from across the UK living with arthritis into Parliament, including 21-year-old Flo, to celebrate the opening of a week-long art exhibition, ‘Inside Arthritis’ (March 9 to March 12).
The exhibition, held in the Upper Waiting Hall, displayed a collection of arts and crafts sourced from Arthritis UK’s ‘Joint Creativity’ art programme, and invited MPs, including event sponsor Liberal Democrat MP Manuela Perteghella, to challenge the common misconception that arthritis is ‘just an old person’s disease’.
Flo, from Sheffield, was 6 years old when she began losing her mobility, finding difficulties with physical activity and frequently visiting A&E for her painful swollen joints. After years of people assuming that she was a hypochondriac, she continued to fight for an answer and was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at 11 years old.
Following her diagnosis, Flo became an active member of Arthritis UK’s Young People and Families’ Service (YPFS) and has been attending ‘Joint Creativity’ for many years. She always appreciated the opportunity to connect with a like-minded community and the creative activities to take her mind off troubling flare-ups and fatigue.
Flo, who studies textiles at Central Saint Martins (UAL), now volunteers with Arthritis UK’s YPFS and is excited to attend Parliament for the opening of the exhibition. Flo said:
“I’m really looking forward to the event! I’m so excited to talk to loads of people who were also involved. ‘Joint Creativity’ helped me as it was a way to express myself using the thing I love the most, art, and seeing it help others was so lovely.
“I wish more people knew about the silent, daily struggles with pain, fatigue and medication side effects. It can feel so difficult to talk about without feeling burdensome and so if there was more understanding of the daily battles I think I’d feel more comfortable.”
JIA is an autoimmune disease that affects around 10,000 children in the UK. It causes painful, swollen or stiff joints that can be debilitating, requiring prompt intervention to prevent long term joint damage. Research has shown awareness among the public, as well as many health professionals, is low – something Arthritis UK is working hard to change.
The exhibition ran throughout the lead up to World yOung Rheumatic Disease Day (WORD Day) (March 18), a day dedicated to raising the profile of young people living with all forms of rheumatic diseases.
Arthritis UK, the UK’s leading arthritis charity, works to ensure that all people living with arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are cared for and represented. Whether that be through funding of world-leading research, provision of health information to patients and professionals or through services, such as the Young People and Families’ Service.
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK, spoke at the launch of the exhibition and was delighted to meet Flo and hear from all the empowering young artists.
Deborah said: “’Inside Arthritis’ is a great opportunity for parliamentarians to hear first-hand from our young community about the stigma and challenges of living with arthritis.
“Many of us know someone living with arthritis, the resilience it requires and the knock-on impact it can have on quality of life and mental health. This is particularly acute for those affected earlier in life; one study has shown nearly 60% of children and young people with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) had or required mental health support.
“Current polices and services do not adequately reflect the impact on both the individual, family and society. We hope by that by hearing from our inspirational young people, parliamentarians will be inspired to help us advocate for greater change and in doing so tackle the misconception that arthritis is an older persons’ disease.”
