A WOMAN, who was diagnosed with arthritis when she was just 10-years-old and left barely able to walk, is to attempt the Great North Run on Sunday.

Helen Pattison of Darlington said the majority of her childhood was spent in hospital, rather than in school following a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

The 39-year-old, who wanted to train as a nurse but was advised by doctors that she would not be able to “cope”, said her illness left her struggling to walk.

The form of arthritis usually affects those under 16, although symptoms of pain, swelling and stiffness in joints can continue throughout adult life.

She said: “I missed a lot of school and my peers regarded me as someone that was different to them – it certainly didn’t help that I had to rely on hand and leg splints to move around.”

Ms Pattison’s condition deteriorated when she was 18, as the disease spread to her shoulder, neck and spine, which limited her job prospects.

She said: “When I left school, I wanted to train as a nurse, but my doctors advised that I wouldn’t be able to cope with the demands of a physical and hands on role.

“It was heartbreaking to hear this and I chose to work in office-based roles going forward.”

Around five-years-ago, Miss Pattison said her condition worsened to the point she had to have weekly injections to ease the pain when waking and standing.

She said: “Simple things like nights out with friends or walking my dogs became impossible. I began to feel down and couldn’t imagine a life where I wasn’t in constant pain.

“I was given the option to have surgery on my feet – to fuse my toes. The surgery has helped me to manage my pain but if I’m on my feet for long periods of time, the pain can be excruciating.”

Following surgery in 2017, she set herself a goal to start running and in May, completed her first half marathon.

She said: “Now, my sights are set on running and walking the Great North Run.

“It won’t be fast, but for someone who struggled to walk a few years ago, just completing the course will be incredible.”

Ms Pattison said she was attempting the Great North Run to raise awareness and money for Versus Arthritis.

She said: “I will be managing the pain with medication, before and during the race, and I have been guided by my GP throughout training.

“I’m looking forward to representing Versus Arthritis.

"Without their research and support services, the last 29 years of my life would have been much harder. I also want to show others living with arthritis that it doesn’t always control your life.”

She added: "I will feel it the day after, but I have accepted that and I’m looking forwarding to having a movie day in bed."