As part of building awareness for National Arthritis Week Catherine Manning has very graciously given us permission to repost her post on the subject.  To check out Ms Manning’s excellent arthritis blog (called Old Before My Time) please head over to http://arthritis-sucks-oldbeforemytime.blogspot.co.uk/.

“It is nearly National Arthritis Week!! and I am proud to be dedicating some of my blog posts to NAW!!

I thought I would start with a “10 things you don’t know about me!” so here goes!!

1) The condition I have is called Osteoarthritis. The common misconception is that only older people get OA. I am living proof that this condition can affect anyone at any age!

2) I was first diagnosed and treated at the age of 12. Very young I know. I had my first arthroscopic surgery when I was 12.

3) My condition affects every aspect of my day to daylife. Imagine struggling to get out of bed, having a raised toilet seat because you can’t get on and off the toilet otherwise. Needing help to shower, dress, cook dinner, make a cup of coffee. Not being able to do the school run without help or do the shopping. That’s my life.

4) Since my condition has progressed to this stage I have taken up blogging and trying to raise awareness of all forms of arthritis especially how it affects younger people.

5) Living with arthritis has taught me to value the small things, the little achievements that most people take for granted. To listen to by body on what I can and can’t do. It has also made me realise who are my true friends and that my family are everything to me.

6) My advice to other people living with osteoarthritis would be do your research, get support medically and emotionally. Listen to your body! You can still have fun and enjoy life!

7) A gadget I couldn’t live without…my laptop/smart phone! When pain is so bad I can’t get out to meet up with people or just get some fresh air I am able to log onto the internet and chat with like minded people on support groups. It means I am not so isolated as living with arthritis can be very lonely.

8) Apart from my pain medication, my supportive hubby and gorgeous children get me through a really tough day. Just a gentle hug and an understanding smile can mean a lot.

9) I am very lucky as I have a very supportive husband who helps me in almost every way. My parents live in the Highlands and are making the 18 hour drive down to where we live to help me and look after the children while I have my right knee replaced next week. I have some wonderful friends I have met online too one especially has turned out to be one of my very best friends. Cara, has RA and a number of other autoimmune conditions. She is always there at the end of the phone or email or support group to chat about anything and everything. Having friends who understand are worth their weight in gold.

10) This National Arthritis Week I would like to say thank you to: My Husband Paul, for everything you do for me and your unconditional love and support. To my Mum and Dad for dropping everything to come and stay with us while I am in hospital. To Cara Davidson, for being Cara, for making me laugh and for just being an awesome friend. To the Doctors and Staff at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.”

You can find out more about National Arthritis Week which begins on Monday by going to http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/support-us/get-involved/national-arthritis-week.aspx