16/07/2026
This JIA Awareness Week, we're honoured to share some of the journeys members' of our community have faced growing up with JIA. By sharing stories like these, we can help break down misconceptions, raise awareness of the realities of JIA, and ensure every young person living with the condition knows they're not alone. 💙
Meet Beth! 🤩
"I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) at 12. Instead of just worrying about school and friends, my childhood became filled with hospital appointments, blood tests and injections.
The hardest part wasn't always the pain—it was feeling misunderstood. My arthritis fluctuates, so I might need a wheelchair one day and walk the next. Living with an invisible illness often meant feeling like I had to prove I was unwell to be believed.
School was another challenge. I missed lessons for appointments, but I also had to fight for adjustments many students never have to think about. Because JIA affects my hands, my family fought to make sure I could take my GCSEs on a computer, giving me the same opportunity as everyone else.
I was also bullied because of my disability. People didn't understand why my needs changed from day to day. Looking back, I wish there had been more awareness of what JIA is and how unpredictable it can be.
Medication has been part of my life ever since my diagnosis—from childhood methotrexate injections to biologic infusions as an adult. It hasn't always been easy, but it's given me the quality of life I have today.
Over time, I've stopped fighting the fact that I have JIA. Accepting my condition hasn't made me weaker—it has given me freedom. JIA is part of my story, but it doesn't define who I am."
