Arthritis is a condition mostly associated with the elderly, but it has still taken its toll on the wellness of Grace Thackrah, aged four. The youngster has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which affects the wellbeing of roughly 12,000 children in the UK under 16.
According to Grace’s mum, Zoe Thackrah from Batley, ‘Arthritis is an old person’s disease, or you think it is. When I looked into it, I thought it was unbelievable how many children had got it. You think “is she ever going to be able to do the things that everybody else can do?” I just want her to be able to keep up with her peers. It’s a worry.’ Zoe’s worries began when Grace turned two, and was still unable to walk despite meeting all her other milestones. ‘We had a really worrying time wondering what it could be and she had every blood test you can possibly imagine,’ Zoe said.
When Zoe and husband Glenn were finally told that Grace had JIA, they soon realised the effects of juvenile arthritis can be serious. Under general anaesthetic, Grace twice needed steroid injections in the affected joints; both knees, her left hip and both elbows. Now Zoe has to inject her daughter every week with a mild form of chemotherapy, which makes Grace lethargic and lowers her immune system.
Zoe noted that, in spite of Grace’s growth still being so stunted that the four-year-old wears toddler-sized clothes, the transformation in her has been incredible. Commenting on the fact that Grace recently walked up the whole of the famous 199 steps in Whitby, Zoe said, ‘It’s just unbelievable. At one time she couldn’t even walk up the steps at home, never mind 199. She can run, she can jump, she can ride a bike – none of which we thought would have been possible at one time.’
As a result of Grace’s condition, Zoe came up with the idea of holding a fun day, backed by the charity Arthritis Care, to enable families like theirs to meet. She explained, ‘I felt we were the only ones, and it’s quite isolating. When she went to hospital, we met a couple of other people and it’s nice to compare and contrast, to talk to people in the same position as you. We thought it would be nice to bring everybody together and allow the children to have fun as well.’ In partnership with Leeds Paediatric Rheumatology Department, the family activity day will take place on June 15th at Batley Sports and Tennis Centre.
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