I was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) at the age of 12. Through my journey of discovering my diagnosis, I felt very different from my classmates and friends. Running in gym class became almost impossible for me because of the severity of my condition. I had no idea why something as simple as running or even playing sports became so difficult for me to participate in. I would express my concerns to my teachers and was always brushed off, and told it was just growing pains. After many tests and doctor’s appointments, I was told I had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Hearing this as a 12-year-old, I didn't know what this would mean for me, and how drastically my life would change. I just wanted to feel normal. I was put on medication and got weekly injections that would take a toll on my body from the side effects. Sometimes I was forced to miss school and not participate in certain physical activities if I had a flare-up, making me feel embarrassed and different from kids my age. Even with doctors' notes and communication from my parents, the teachers at my school didn’t understand my condition, and I received almost no support. Looking back at the lack of support I received, I know that something was missing during that difficult time. I was a competitive dancer and never let my arthritis stop me from dancing. I never expressed my condition to my dance teachers for fear of being excluded or seen as different. I felt like my arthritis made me different from everyone my age.
Now being in university and studying education I would never want any of my students to feel the way I did. Arthritis is a condition which can be viewed as a disability and using the word disability at school is the only way teachers would classify what I was going through, that I had a disability. My arthritis doesn’t affect the way that I look, making it more of an invisible condition, an invisible disability, which was hard to communicate as a child and also hard for others to understand because my condition couldn’t be physically seen. The word disability holds a negative connotation on the word ability. Although arthritis is a challenging condition, I felt as if it was important for me to learn how to focus on my abilities, rather than just my disability. When I was feeling good after my injections, I would feel thankful to have the ability to walk, run, go up the stairs or dance. When I experienced flare-ups, it was hard to keep a positive outlook but I always try to think about what I can do rather than what I’m not, while still understanding my limitations. Being a student teacher now, I feel that children with conditions, whether seen or unseen, should be greatly supported and included in school. Spending every day at school for most of the day, their quality of education should never be affected based on their condition and boundaries. Teachers should focus on children’s abilities instead of just labelling them as someone who is disabled. Changing this negative perception of disabilities can help in the acceptance of children with arthritis in their community.
Increasing open discussions about different disabilities and conditions such as JIA helps a child feel supported and makes them feel seen. This can also improve the way they are treated by teachers and classmates. Arthritis awareness is important because a lot of people don’t think children can have arthritis and it almost feels like they question it when that shouldn’t be the case. This awareness can also improve accessibility in schools for children who are in wheelchairs or have a walker, etc. Parents must work with their child’s doctor and medical team for great communication with their teachers. Teachers must have understanding and compassion to foster acceptance and inclusivity for students with arthritis. Alternatives should be taken for students to avoid feeling alienated from their classmates. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) can also help students with arthritis by creating personalized plans that address specific needs relating to their condition, allowing for accommodations in testing and assignments and improving their overall days at school.
Inclusivity for students with JIA is so important. It positively impacts their emotional well-being, educational success, and personal empowerment. Through sharing my journey with JIA, I hope to inspire children facing similar challenges to confidently advocate for themselves, set personal goals, and cultivate resilience, reminding them that they are not alone. Teaching students to express their needs and preferences helps foster effective communication with classmates and teachers. When we encourage and empower students with arthritis we allow them to focus on their strengths, rather than their limitations. With empowerment, acceptance and understanding, we can help students with JIA feel normal and included. We all seek a sense of belonging and the opportunity to thrive at school, making it essential to create an inclusive environment for every child.
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