Hastings Secondary College

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Inspiring Hope - Kayden's Advocacy for Juvenile Arthritis Awareness

03 Apr 2024

Kayden pictured with other young people advocating for JIA

Our Year 8 student, Kayden Day, has been a steadfast advocate since his diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in 2020, which has now progressed to Enthesitis Related Arthritis (ERA) & Sacroilitis, affecting his ankles, knees, hips and lower back.

Arthritis is commonly perceived as a condition affecting older people. However, there are various types of arthritis, some affecting babies, children, teenagers and young adults. In Australia, approximately 6000 children are affected by JIA, making it as prevalent as Type 1 diabetes in children under 16. Living with JIA can be challenging, not only for the affected young person, but also for their families and friends. Understanding and support are vital.

Juvenile Arthritis Week (17th-23rd March 2024) was significant on Kayden's calendar. On Sunday, 17 March, Kayden hosted a 'family hangout' alongside the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA) team at Westport Park, encouraging families from Port Macquarie and surrounding areas to connect with each other. Later that week, Kayden accepted an invitation to Parliament House, Canberra, to join the JAFA Board, which included founder Ruth Colagiuri AM, the Hon Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care, and other dignitaries, for the announcement of the first-ever federal dedicated funding for a JAFA program to help drive early diagnosis of juvenile arthritis.

Kayden was also invited to join round table discussions, representing young people living with JIA. With strength and determination, he shared his journey, highlighting how arthritis impacts not only the child but also their families, and advocated for improvements

Kayden will continue to be a voice for other young warriors, amplifying their experiences and needs, and encouraging people to spread the word: Kids Get Arthritis Too.

Kayden at the 'family hangout', Westport Park.
Image: Kayden at the 'family hangout', Westport Park.
Kayden pictured with Professor Davinder Singh-Grewal, Paediatric Rheumatologist
Image: Kayden pictured with Professor Davinder Singh-Grewal, Paediatric Rheumatologist
Kayden pictured with Dr Mike Freelander MP
Image: Kayden pictured with Dr Mike Freelander MP
Kayden pictured with Ruth Colagiuri, Founder and Director of Juvenile Arthritis Foundation
Image: Kayden pictured with Ruth Colagiuri, Founder and Director of Juvenile Arthritis Foundation

Hastings Secondary College

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    We acknowledge the Birpai people, the traditional owners of the land in which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who choose to call Port Macquarie Hastings home

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