From Crutches to Kilometres:
(Running a Marathon with Arthritis)

Adolescence:

I have suffered with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis from the age of 11. I was in perpetual pain. When not on crutches, I limped. My hips were inflamed, my knees were swollen and my ankle was the size of a tennis ball. I did not have a normal teenage upbringing. Imagine; the pain of telling your friends that everything is normal even-though they can clearly see that it is not. I could never open up… the insecurity and shame that I had an old person’s disease… Arthritis. My passion was football and being side-lined at every PE class was soul-crushing. At my local state-school, I kept my head down, I remained invisible and focused on what I could control: my studies and my physio.

Adulthood:

At 17, the Arthritis went into remission. It had a 50/50 chance of returning in Adulthood. From then on, I lead a normal life. No meds. No pain. But still I had never accepted my past.

Unfortunately, I lost that 50/50 raffle… at 24, inflammation consumed my knees and ankle, triggered by the return of the Arthritis. How could I survive another 5 years of Arthritis? Would my body even be able to recover this time? I would not accept this. I adopted the mindset of what I call “Deluded Positivity”. I sorted my medication and insoles immediately. When the Physio set exercises for three times a day, I'd do them ten times. I focused on nutrition. I focused on sleep. I focused on meditation. I focused on handling stress with positive visualisations and journaling. Anything and everything to control the inflammation.

Even though this was tough, this was one of the best things that ever happened for me. This instilled persistence; discipline; hope. These values are now embedded into my identity. I got stronger and more focused and learnt the only thing you can absolutely control is how you react to things out of your control. Fast-forward a gruelling year and a half later, I was back in the gym, starting from zero, with a new, upgraded mindset.

Present Day:

I am not cured... the Arthritis is in remission… but I am OK with that. I am happy. I am confronting my past. I am raising awareness for a higher purpose. I am pushing my comfort zone of what I believe to be possible, because it is not the power of the curse, it is the power you give the curse.

I may look 100% healthy, but here's what you don't see… I currently inject myself with a strong immunosuppressant pen every two weeks (which can have nasty side-effects) and take DMARDs twice a day. I still see my Doctor regularly, I still get MRI scans and I must have mandatory blood tests every six months in order to have my medication prescribed. I’ve accepted this is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life. But I use that as fuel when I’m out of my comfort zone; in the gym or public speaking.

The key: I want to be an inspiration for children suffering with Arthritis.

Purpose:

I don’t want anyone with Arthritis, child or adult, to lead my hopeless Adolescence story. It is far too easy to spiral into pity. I want them to lead my Adulthood story, with optimism, hope and grit. But in order to do that, they need the right medication and support to get into remission. Versus Arthritis is a charity that helps with researching new medication and have an online community to help tackle Arthritis together. VA is why I can run and why I can fund-raise.

I can't remember ever running for sport pre-2019. Running is completely new to me and something I have always considered out of my reach. This year, I want to obliterate the belief that my body was not built for long distance running and do the most extreme thing imaginable... run a Marathon. But not any Marathon, the hardest major Marathon out there... Athens, the Authentic Marathon. This is 1/2 uphill. Let's hit you with a horrifying stat... the total ascent is 372 metres; which is a third of the way up Snowdon! This will reinforce my beliefs on Neuroplasticity, Growth Mindset, Stoicism, the importance of Grit and how strong hope can override anything.

Further to that, I want to lead by example for kids with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and prove what can be achieved with perseverance, discipline and hope when in remission. It is possible to lead a normal, happy, inspiring life…

From crutches to kilometres... this is me... vulnerably... daring greatly.

Note: I have already paid my flights, accommodation and fees for the race. This cause is close to my heart. To share my story and raise funds is the key goal. 100% of your donation is going to a charity I trust.