Welcome to Live & Learn Episode 20. This week, Megan Gilmour speaks with Associate Professor Ruth Colagiuri AM, her daughter Melanie, and granddaughter Chloe, who lives with juvenile arthritis. Ruth, a prominent health advocate, co-founded the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia (JAFA) in 2019 with her husband, Professor Stephen Colagiuri AO, inspired by Chloe’s diagnosis. Melanie shares personal insights as Chloe’s mother.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a serious autoimmune disease causing pain, potential joint deformities, and possible vision loss. As common as diabetes, it remains under-recognised, with diagnosis taking ten months or more. While effective treatments exist, early and consistent management are vital to prevent complications. JAFA is the primary organisation representing children with juvenile arthritis and their families in Australia.
Read transcript here.
View highlights poster.
