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Tonia Morgan, 48, was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 1995. She lives in Kent.
‘I had to change jobs because of my arthritis. I used to work in a nursery. I was advised by my consultant that it was not a good idea to be sitting on the floor, playing with children. Now I work in a primary school.
I’ve not had to take a day off because of my arthritis since my diagnosis 12 years ago. I work from 9am-3pm. I do get very tired, but I certainly wouldn’t want to be at home all day. Colleagues can tell if I’m having a bad day – the other day they told me to go home early.
I think changing jobs was a step in the right direction. I’ve got a special chair that needs to go with me around the school, because I can’t sit on the little school chairs.
At one point I was under the care of occupational health. They suggested the chair, and advised how I should not walk around class, bending over talking to children. It was very useful.
I can’t be pulled around by the children, so I’m not allowed to go on playground duty with the little ones but I do with the older ones. It can be an issue if I have to do first aid, when I might need to kneel or get a child up off the ground. I normally end up asking for help.
I’m going to have to have a hip done next year and I don’t know how that will affect my future role.
I am finding driving to work a bit difficult at the moment but I don’t want to move to a school closer to home because I like the job security of my current role.’
