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Real People. Real Lives. Real Arthritis.​

Arthritis and related rheumatic diseases look different for everyone. These are the stories of people across Canada who navigate it every day and keep moving forward.

More than 6 million Canadians live with arthritis. No two experiences are the same.

For some, it means adapting how they work. For others, it changes how they move, sleep, parent, or pursue the things they love. Arthritis can affect anyone at any age: children, young adults, and older Canadians alike. And for many, it goes far beyond the joints, touching nearly every part of life.

These people have shared their stories to help others feel less alone and to show why research into arthritis matters to them.

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Vianne’s Story

  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
For years, Vianne Bacchus lived in excruciating pain with no answers. Her ankylosing spondylitis went undiagnosed because doctors didn't think women could have it. Research proved them wrong....
Read Vianne's Story
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Ty’s story

  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
At 14, ankylosing spondylitis stripped Ty Clayton of every sport he loved. Twenty years later, he's running across a continent to fund the research that could change that for the next generation....
Read Ty's Story
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Trish’s Story

  • Osteoarthritis
At 32, Trish Silvester-Lee was told she'd need a knee replacement before 40. She was a newlywed with a young son and a life full of sport. She just had that surgery. At 56. Still walking and still moving....
Read Trish's Story
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Tamara’s Story

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
Diagnosed at six, Tamara Komuniecki watched her sister do gymnastics from the sidelines. Decades later, she's become one of the most dedicated advocates for the research that's changing how rheumatoid arthritis is treated....
Read Tamara's Story

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