World Arthritis Day is coming up and what better time than now to erase negative stigmas and myths associated with arthritis and rheumatic disease!
This image, created by Mariah’s Movers, is meant to showcase that people of ALL ages get arthritis — even kids! It is often associated with the elderly, but that isn’t always the case!
In fact, over 300,000 American children have arthritis. It is the 6th most common childhood disease, and often misdiagnosed as growing pains or even leukemia. Additionally, 2/3 of people under the age of 65 have arthritis – AND there are over 100 types of conditions that are considered “arthritis” or “rheumatic diseases.”
Rheumatoid arthritis is an example of an inflammatory, autoimmune, systemic type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, or OA, is the “wear-and-tear” type that is often from overuse. OA is what the general public usually thinks of when they think “arthritis” and associate it almost solely with athletes OR senior citizens. But “kids get arthritis, too!” So do tweens, teens, young adults, and not-so-young-adults. From toddlers to those of middle age, arthritis and other illnesses can strike anyone, at any time!
So this World Arthritis Day, remember that “This Old Lady Has Arthritis” … and I’m not an old lady, at all.
arthritisashley.com 
“Additionally, 2/3 of people under the age of 65 have arthritis”
If I remember correctly, you mean “1/3 of the people who have arthritis are under age 65.
Hi, Jen: According to the CDC and Mayo Clinic, 2/3 of people with arthritis are under age 65. 1 in 5 people have arthritis (1 in 3 in my state,) including 300,000 kids. Half of people over age 65 have some form of arthritis or another.