DONATE NOW and help children like Larissa who are living with arthritis. 

Imagine your own grandchild or child with this disease.  If you or a loved one has arthritis, then you already know about the pain and everyday challenges.

For children going into adolescence, like Larissa, arthritis is particularly difficult.  As well as the pain, there are also the challenges of peer pressure and of feeling different from other children. 

In the two years since Larissa first found out that she had arthritis the disease has moved into seven joints in her body.  I’ll let her explain:

"I’ve got arthritis in my left big toe, both of my knees, my right ankle, my left shoulder, my right wrist and a bit in my jaw. 

I’m stiff in the morning and wake up with really bad pins and needles in my joints.  I can’t really move them properly and it takes a while for them to be normal. 

I’m not as sporty as I used to be.  I have to watch what I do and be careful.  I can be anywhere, doing anything, and then the pain will come. It turns on and off – it’s pretty severe and then it’s a bit easier. 

It hurts and it makes me feel different sometimes – like I’m not like other kids. 

I want to tell you about Arthritis Queensland and how they have helped me through this so far.  Well Arthritis Queensland has helped me and my family get through the tough times.  They also organised me to go to the camps that I have been going to for the last two years.

This is my story about arthritis.  There is more but it’ll take forever. 

Thank you,

Larissa"