Ayo's story

Reviewing Arthritis UK research funding applications

"My name is Ayo, I was diagnosed with lupus in 2009, I started experiencing lupus symptoms from March 2008 when I was pregnant, my symptoms were shortness of breath, tight and sharp pain in the chest area with fatigue. My symptoms were ignored by my GP and put down as part of pregnancy symptoms.

In May 2009, I started experiencing intense joint pain in both of my shoulders, elbows and wrists which made it difficult for me to carry my daughter who was only six months old at the time. This pain carried on till December 2009 when I was hospitalised after loss of mobility to my legs, and I had to be put on oxygen mask for breathing.

Being diagnosed meant I was able to start treatments for the lupus symptoms I had experienced, and I made full recovery from the hospital. Living with lupus comes with many challenges but I'm able to overcome them with the support from the hospital lupus team, my family and friends.

I joined Arthritis UK as a Research Partner in 2022; since then, I have participated in reviewing research funding applications. I was provided with adequate training and support which was very useful in reviewing applications for funding.

Being part of the research team at Arthritis UK has really opened my eyes to the amazing work that the charity does to support great work that provides the best medical treatments for people living with Arthritis and other MSK conditions."