Tuesday Topic, with Christine Rutter

ARTHRITIS Care is the only national charity devoted to the support and welfare of people with this crippling illness.

This year the charity celebrates its golden jubilee. In 50 years it has seen 22 branches open in the Lancashire area. The charity helps to promote the health, well-being and independence of some eight million people known to have one or more of the 200 forms of arthritis.

Arthritis is not a disease which just affects the elderly. Youngsters can fall victim, too.

A national self help group - Young Arthritis Care - exists to meet the needs of victims under the age of 45.

I spoke to the family of one young girl whose dancing career was wrecked by arthritis.

THE FAMILY of promising dancer Michelle Halstead had high hopes for their talented daughter.

The schoolgirl swept the board at major dance championships, winning a staggering 50 trophies in her short career.

She began dancing - modern, latin, ballroom, old-time, rock and roll and disco - at the Judy Clegg Dance Centre, in Haslingden from the age of six.

From the start it was clear she was a "natural." No-one could match her prowess on the dancefloor.

"She was a true natural, an absolutely brilliant dancer," said her grandmother Barbara West.

She added: "She competed against people from all over but there was no-one in her age group who could beat her.

"We knew she was going to be big."

But the glittering promise of a career as a dance teacher vanished in the doctor's surgery when the seven-year-old from Piccadilly Street, Haslingden, was diagnosed as having arthritis.

"We couldn't believe it," said Barbara.

"We thought it was something only old people got. She was only seven and was not allowed to dance any more."

Now, instead of impressing the crowds at premier dance events, eight-year-old Michelle often has to use a wheelchair because she is unable to walk long distances during holidays with her family.

She has to be driven to school and the once-active girl has to sit alone as her pals join in PE classes and other physical pursuits. Barbara added: "It has absolutely devastated the family.

"It is a real tragedy."

Junior chronic arthritis affects one in 10,000 children and can strike at any age, affecting the joints, muscles, tendons and general health. David Barwell, arthritis care development officer for Lancashire, said: "There are over 200 different types of arthritis.

"It is not good to get it so young and symptoms do depend on the severity.

"It can appear quite suddenly and stop you doing things you were used to doing for a long time.

"In this case Michelle had to give up dancing. The climate can affect the severity of the condition.

"Advice can be given on diet and the right type of exercise."

The pain and frustration Michelle feels have now surfaced.

Barbara said: "She was given a special invitation to the World Ballroom Championships but walked out half way through unable to bear to see other people doing the thing she most longed to do - dance.

"She misses dancing so much.

"She loved competing and knew she could have gone a long way.

"She was always fun and happy but now she gets angry and frustrated at not being able to do physical things.

"I saw her kicking her bike one day because the pain was so much she couldn't ride it.

"And her temper has got so bad now." The nightmare started when Michelle woke up one morning with a swollen knee and was unable to walk down the stairs.

Doctors at first were baffled by the condition but after many tests and trips to see specialists she was diagnosed with chronic juvenile arthritis, a condition which has been linked to asthma, which Michelle has also developed.

Barbara said: "From the age of three she has always complained of pains in her knees but we put it down to growing pains.

"The doctor said there was no such thing.

"These were the tell-tale signs of arthritis and we want to warn other parents to look out for them."

To dance now would leave Michelle in agony and her limbs bruised and swollen.

"Her condition is relieved to some extent by a heat treatment and painkillers but there is no cure.

"There should be more research into it.

"There is nothing the doctors can do for her.

"She could grow out of it but it could get worse," said Barbara, of Lime Road, Haslingden.

Today the only reminder for Michelle, a pupil at Haslingden County Primary School, of her days as a dancer are her elaborately-made dancing outfits hanging up in her wardrobe.

"She won't part with them.

"She keeps them all in the hope that she will get better one day and dance again," said Barbara.

Anyone wanting information from Young Arthritis Care should call 0161 336 0489.

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