Zoe’s journey with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) began when she was too young to remember. Her symptoms first appeared at 18 months old, and she was diagnosed at the age of two years.
“It was a tough time,” her mother recalls, “she couldn’t walk in the mornings. At first, we thought it was growing pains, but a daycare teacher with arthritis noticed swelling in one of Zoe’s knees and recommended seeing a specialist. After months of tests, it was a relief to get a diagnosis finally.”
Managing JIA is a part of Zoe’s daily life. She takes her medication, Leflunomide, every two days and remains very active. “We help her stay active with swimming, tennis, dance, and musical theatre lessons. The Halberg Foundation has been wonderful, currently funding her swimming lessons,” says Mum.
Zoe also undergoes fortnightly Adalimumab injections, which she admits can be scary. “I feel scared at injection time,” Zoe says, “but I stay brave with the Buzzy Bee and by sitting on Mummy’s lap.”
What is Buzzy Bee and how does it help?
The Buzzy Bee is a vibrating bee with ice-pack wings that help block sharp pain from the injection site. It is a tool that distracts a child from the needle and the pain by combining cold and vibration to replace pain with temperature and movement. The sensations confuse the body’s nerves and move the attention away from the sharp injection pain.
Find out how to use a Buzzy Bee here.
How has Arthritis NZ helped Zoe?
One of Zoe’s favourite activities this year was attending the Arthritis NZ Families Camp. “She loves the camps,” her mother says. “She talks about them fondly and loves making new friends. We even connected with a local family who also lives in Auckland after meeting them at camp.”
Zoe’s favourite camp memories include participating in the flying kiwi activity and conquering the climbing wall with the camp leaders.
The camps offer invaluable support to children and their families. “Support is crucial in managing JIA, we were on the JIA journey for years before we connected with Arthritis New Zealand at the 2023 camp. Being part of the community has helped in many ways. Participating in the 2024 camp was the catalyst for us getting the Buzzy Bee, which has been a game-changer at injection time.”
Zoe loves jumping on the trampoline and playing with her friends at school. Her favourite hobbies include swimming lessons and art classes, which bring her joy and help her feel good.
Looking ahead, Zoe hopes to attend more camps. These camps have become a vital part of her journey, offering fun and friendships, and a supportive community that understands her experiences.
By sharing Zoe’s story, we hope to inspire and encourage other families navigating life with JIA. Zoe’s resilience and positive attitude remind us of the importance of support, activity, and community in managing chronic conditions.