"Arthritis isn't something you think a two year old could have." That was Kelly O'Sullivan's reaction upon finding out that her two-year-old daughter Blaze has arthritis.
According to an article in the BBC, Blaze had a rash all over her body, a high temperature, and swollen joints that prevented her from walking and tearing around like a typical toddler.
What appeared to be symptoms of a viral infection culminated in knee that swelled to "the size of a tennis ball." Then Blaze had a stiff neck...Imagine O'Sullivan's surprise when, after several different medicines and antibiotics, and even more tests and visits to different specialists, the little girl was eventually diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Little is known about JIA, even though it's said to affect 12,000 children in the UK, typically setting in before a child turns five, and affecting more girls than boys.
Occasionally JIA is short-lived, while a "third [of children] continue to have symptoms into adulthood."
Now on daily medication and steroids to control her symptoms, Blaze is able to function better, though she is still unable to join a nursery class.
"She should be able to run around like any normal toddler," said O'Sullivan. "And I can't get her into a nursery because one of the drugs she takes, methotrexate, affects the immune system and they won't take her. I'm trying to get her a place though, because she shouldn't have to miss out."
Hoping to raise more awareness about JIA, O'Sullivan has decided to participate in a study by the University of Manchester, in conjunction with the charity Arthritis Research UK, of more than 1,300 children. The study began in 2001, and tracks children up to the age of sixteen.
"If that helps another family in the future," said O'Sullivan, "rather than them having to go through months waiting to find out what it is, it's worth it."
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