Arthritis stories

Discover Jega Paramanathan's inspiring journey from battling ulcerative colitis at university to empowering others through volunteering with Arthritis UK.

Explore Maria Noguer's story of overcoming rheumatoid arthritis with the help of Arthritis UK, and her rewarding experience as a volunteer Chi Me instructor.

Discover a personal journey through sudden, debilitating pain, hospital visits, and the search for answers. Learn about the challenges of diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.

Living in pain without answers can be daunting. Read about Conall's experience with chronic pain, diagnosis, and the path to effective treatment.

Discover Oscar Stevenson's inspiring journey from denial to remission with psoriatic arthritis. Learn how he's training for marathons and helping others find hope.

Discover Ken Brown's journey from undiagnosed hip pain to early retirement due to osteoarthritis. Learn how he navigated his health challenges over two decades.

Discover Val Taylor's journey through the challenges of diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. Learn how she navigated long waits and found the care she needed.

Discover how David Kershaw, a dedicated karate instructor, overcame knee pain with innovative surgery, allowing him to continue his passion for martial arts.

Discover Andy's journey through 40 years of living with osteoarthritis. Explore the everyday challenges he faces and his insights on benefits and healthcare shortcomings.

Junior Bake Off star Lyla's inspiring journey as she battles juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and finds a way to give back through her recipe booklet, in support of Arthritis UK.

Join Alex, an inspiring 18-year-old living with JIA, as he prepares for the 2026 London Landmarks Half Marathon to support Arthritis UK and inspire others.

As the unpredictability of arthritis is challenging when both mum and daughter live with arthritis, Lynsey shares her tips and advice around Christmas festivities.

Diagnosed with arthritis at 45, Yvonne was forced to leave the teaching job she loved. A GP-referred joint protection course helped her reduce pain and regain life.

Maisie, a 23-year-old battling Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, has found a sense of community at Arthritis UK. Her story offers hope and encouragement to others facing similar challenges.

Katie was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) at only 5 years old and has lived with arthritis for as long as she can remember yet she is determined to follow her dreams.

Finding the gym at 18 was ‘life-changing’ for Isaac, building his strength and mobility and inspiring his career as a personal trainer to help other people living with arthritis. 

Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloathritis, Arthritis UK helped James go from denial to acceptance, inspiring him to advocate for young people with arthritis.

Diagnosed with JIA at 15, Lucy posts videos on TikTok because she’s passionate about raising awareness and dispelling the myth that arthritis doesn’t affect the young.

From the age of seven, Heather's arthritis symptoms were dismissed as sporting injuries and ‘growing pains’. Her childhood experience of arthritis inspired her career as a doctor.

Diagnosed with JIA as a baby, Megan has adapted her dancing using crutches and a wheelchair because she believes that you can always find a way to do the things you love. 

Diagnosed at just 5 years old, Madeleine has had both hips replaced along with both knees. She jokes that her medical team describes her as “the bionic woman”. 

Sheree was diagnosed with arthritis at the age of 15, when a knee injury sparked an investigation which led to a diagnosis of arthritis. Over the years, her condition impacted other joints.

Diagnosed with JIA when she was 3, Imaani was diagnosed with JIA-related uveitis – an inflammatory eye condition that can lead to vision loss if not quickly treated. 

73-year-old John Winnik from Harrogate, Yorkshire, has been living with osteoarthritis since 2017. As the condition of his hips worsened, his career was significantly impacted.

Diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, Christie uses social media to share her experience of living with a chronic condition and inspire other young people to live life to the full.

It took four years for Penny to receive a diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis. Thanks to the new drugs and research funded by Arthritis UK, she now leads a healthy, pain-free life.

Diagnosed with arthritis as a teenager, Bobbie's diagnosis impacted him both physically and mentally. Due to lack of flexibility in his workplace, he had to leave his job and start out on his own.

Diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis as a teenager, Amy was silently struggling in constant pain at school and had to fight to get support. Now, training to be a doctor, she worries how she'll cope with fatigue.

Living with osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, Tina is incapacitated with shoulder immobility and lives in constant pain. She has been waiting for a double shoulder replacement and wrist surgery for three years.

Mary lives with multiple musculoskeletal conditions and has been waiting since 2019 for shoulder surgery and spinal surgery. She had to retire early from her work and suffers from excruciating pain.