Zohara Hirji

Why I'm walking to World Arthritis Day

Friends,

Nearly five years ago to the day, I woke up, one morning, with immense pain in my hands and ankles. I could hardly move. 

I have suffered for most of my adult life with an autoimmune condition called Sjogren's Syndrome and I thought that this pain was just another symptom in a long list of conditions that would affect me for the rest of my life. 

It transpired, however, that what was affecting me that morning and many days to come was a condition called rheumatoid arthritis, or RA - something that I mistakenly thought only affected people over 70. Receiving the diagnosis was hard to accept.  On top of the physical symptoms, I struggled with health-related anxiety which made my symptoms even worse.  I knew that the only way to get out of my low point was to become positive.

It’s a horrible condition that leaves people immobile. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body. RA mainly attacks the joints, usually many joints at once.

Over the last five years, I have battled with RA to try and find a way through. I have completely reworked my diet and lifestyle, tried many potions and medicines and alternative remedies to try and attempt to achieve a quality of life. 

Some of you will have seen me in my “big boot”, or in MJ-style gloves to aid my symptoms. It’s been tough and I have struggled not just physically, but also mentally. I have been supported along this journey by friends and family who have helped me remain sane and motivated me through to where I am today.

Now that I have accepted that I have to be on immune-suppressing medication, I am glad to say that I think I am over the worst. I’m starting on regular walks and doing gentle workouts. I even had a bit of a boogie a few weeks ago (in my faithful trainers!)

The reason for this note is that I would like to give back. October 12th is World Arthritis Day and I’m raising money for Versus Arthritis, the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting people with arthritis, for research and raising awareness for 10M of us who have it in the UK. 

What I’m committing to is something simple which I haven't been able to do for the last 5 years. I’m aiming to walk 5,000 steps for 12 days in a row over the first 12 days of October. I’d love for you to support me in this journey by sponsoring me and donating to this cause. 

Please give as much as you can - it’s a worthy cause aiming to fund research with real hope of a cure in the future for this debilitating disease  - and I’d be very appreciative. Thank you.

Much love,

Zohara x