I'm Katy, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in 2011 aged 28. Symptoms started and 12 months prior, however I struggled to explain the problem as I was bad in the morning, but better by midday. I went to my GP every 6 weeks or so that year, and it wasn't until my mum enlightened me that my grandmother had RA, was I able to have the confidence to push for more tests. Currently I am on Sulphasalazine and inject Cimzia bi-weekly.
My experience of physical activity: I have always been active. I was the Yorkshire under 7's short tennis champion (that's my tennis career highlight) and I danced from 2 years old to 30. It was playing tennis that highlighted to me my wrists were getting worse. Playing someone who I would beat easily, I was suddenly struggling to play against. Sadly both those activities have been lost to my RA due to my wrists and feet having the most problems. However a few years prior to diagnosis, I found a local netball team and since being a young adult I have enjoyed running (closer to a jogger now). My RA diagnosis gave me the boost to run my first marathon and I have since run two more.
Why I wanted to get involved in MISSION-RA: Exercise is my passion and I want to continue to be able to move in any way for as long as I can. I really believe the fact I am active is a reason (alongside the medications) I have remained well controlled thus far. Therefore being involved in a project that will help others to experience the benefits is something I really wanted to do.
