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It annoys me when people say that I am a bit young to have arthritis. I have to explain to them that it affects one child in 1,000 and that there are different forms of arthritis.
When I was young, most communication with my doctors was through my parents. I didn’t really understand what was going on and the doctors didn’t take me seriously.
They used to say that i had to go to school, but didn’t understand I couldn’t get around when I was there. My school was on three floors and there was no lift.
More of a say
When I started seeing a paediatric rheumatologist, I found it so much better as I had more of a say about what was going on. They also explained what was going on in my joints more clearly.
I definitely have better control of my treatment now I am a bit older. It is down to my mum and dad really. They give me advice about different treatments and they say it is up to me to decide what to do.
Arthritis has affected my education quite a bit. I feel that there is a lot of schooling I missed out on and will never get back. But I have done everything I wanted to do and am studying towards a Masters now.
Learning to drive was the best thing
The best thing for my independence was learning to drive and getting a car with the Motability scheme. I learnt to drive aged 16. You can learn a year earlier if you are disabled. Without that I wouldn’t have gone to university.
I tend to just pursue opportunities and then think about the consequences later. I have never let arthritis hold me back.
I do feel frustrated sometimes and I can get a bit argumentative with my friends and family. I think you learn to chose your mates really carefully. You learn who you can rely on.
Everyone at university has been lovely to me, but school was hard. I had so much time off so it was hard to keep friends.
Sally Watt from Stafford, is now 24. She was diagnosed with juvenile chronic arthritis (JIA) when she was 11
