26 and living with arthritis... who would have thought it? Certainly not me. I always thought this disease was associated with older age, and I was sure it wouldn't affect young people in any shape of form. Well how wrong was I!

28th May 2022. The day after watching my favourite team Liverpool lose the Champions League Final and 2 days after my body had made a full recovery from a very bad bout of food poisoning. I woke up after the nights events and noticed my left ankle had swelled up, leaving me to hobble around. I was already in enough agony from the football result. I put this mysterious pain down to a probable alcohol-induced injury and carried on with my day. 

Though as the hours progressed, the pain continued to worsen, and the next morning my left hand had started to ache. This was strange. I was now hobbling along, and couldn't hold a pen. I was then just two weeks out from my final law exams, this wasn't looking good. Days passed, and the dull ache had started to spread all over my joints. At this point, I was unable to walk without being in serious pain.

Then, in early June, I was taken to A&E and was admitted into hospital. Reactive arthritis I was told by a bewildered doctor. The result of my body 'overreacting' in its fight against food poisoning. 1 in 100,000 cases of salmonella end up in a form of reactive arthritis. I was put into a wheelchair, and given crutches to use at home. 

The following months consisted of hospital consultations, and a load of treatment. Though I was back on my feet and returning to normal life, my consultant told me that my reactive arthritis had now turned into inflammatory arthritis and, sadly, it would stay with me forever.

I am now on strong treatment, and it has helped massively. In November 2022 I went on my first run since I was ill, and though there has been up and downs since, I have not looked back.

I am running the London Marathon for all those living with this cruel disease. Especially, for younger people diagnosed with arthritis. Just know that even in the moments where you cannot see an end to the pain, it will get better with time.

I will be raising money for Versus Arthritis. The charity invests in breakthrough treatments, the best information and vital support for everyone affected by arthritis. Versus Arthritis provides high quality support and advice to people living with arthritis, whenever they need it, and campaign relentlessly for arthritis to be seen as a priority.

I've never run a marathon before, so this should be tough, and equally I hope my disease doesn't flare up, but I cannot wait to run the London Marathon!

I also ran the London and Manchester Half Marathon for Versus Arthritis in 2023, so all the support for the main event this April is greatly appreciated!

Thanks for taking the time to read.

Joe