Grace

While the diagnosis provided an answer for her pain, it was also somewhat of a surprise for her parents Hayley and Scott.  “Arthritis was not something we had considered possible for a child her age,” Hayley said.

“We first noticed Grace’s symptoms when she was two. At first, she started to walk without bending one of her legs. This then progressed to her being unable to walk much at all in the mornings and would cry in pain most mornings and evenings.”

After a trip to their local GP and a referral to the rheumatology department at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, the family had an answer, of sorts.  While JIA is considered the most common form of arthritis, the term ‘idiopathic’ means that the cause of the condition is unknown.

“Fortunately, we are able to manage Grace’s pain with a weekly dose of methotrexate medication.  As arthritis is an auto-immune disease, it is important that we treat the symptoms to prevent any long-term damage to her joints. With the support of her specialist and physiotherapist Grace has responded really well to her current treatment and we are seeing minimal side-effects. Her flare-ups are occurring less and less.”

“Grace occasionally has her ‘off’ days which seem a bit more frequent in the cooler months but the early intervention, treatment and general support from family and the Queensland Children’s Hospital team has meant that Grace now has minimal ongoing issues and is living a relatively normal life.”

“And Grace is so fiercely independent, I don’t think she is going to let arthritis prevent her from doing anything she wants to do!”