In a new video produced by Arthritis Ireland in light of World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day on March 18, James Lowe, a rugby player for Leinster Rugby and the Ireland national rugby union team, detailed his struggles with juvenile arthritis throughout his childhood to help raise awareness for the disease, according to an article published by The Irish Times summarizing the video. Mr. Lowe explained that he experienced everything from swollen ankles that prevented him from walking to painful arthritis in his hands that made it difficult to hold a fork to intense fatigue that kept him bedridden. After receiving his diagnosis of juvenile arthritis—and starting treatment 2 years after his symptoms first developed—he began practicing resilience. “I know arthritis affects you physically, but there was no way … this was going to stop me one bit. I found regular activity … made me feel good,” he emphasized. Alongside Mr. Lowe in the new video was 12-year-old Adam McCarthy, who had been diagnosed with systemic juvenile arthritis after suffering macrophage activation syndrome, pain in his back, and a fever. Adam had been taken to the hospital to receive several tests—including blood tests, bone marrow tests, ultrasounds, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging scans, and lumbar punctures—where his physicians discovered inflammation in his liver and kidneys. Following the flare, he experienced pain in his knees and wrists and began a regimen of weekly methotrexate injections and monthly blood tests. In addition to his treatment, Adam noted that he actively plays sports to keep his joints healthy. Mr. Lowe and Adam hope the awareness campaign will help inspire young patients who have juvenile arthritis to be active, and help others understand that arthritis can impact anyone, regardless of age.
May 25, 2023