When most people think of arthritis, they imagine a natural part of aging. However, the reality in Canada is startlingly different: one-third of Canadians with the disease are diagnosed before the age of 45, and more than 25,000 children are currently living with the condition.
“Arthritis is often dismissed as an ‘old person’s disease,'” says Carleen Pauliuk, VP of Western Canada for Arthritis Society Canada. “We’re changing the narrative by challenging outdated assumptions and pushing Canadians to think differently”.
On February 18, the Vancouver community will gather for the West Coast Roast, a fundraiser designed to spotlight this often invisible disease and launch the Stronger Tomorrows initiative. This $1 million Western Canada project aims to expand life-changing programs and invest in research to prevent permanent joint damage in youth.
The Invisible Struggle
For those diagnosed early, the challenges are often more emotional than physical. Grace Parker Palidwor, who was diagnosed at just 18 months old, remembers the difficulty of looking “normal” while struggling with chronic pain.
“As a child, very few of my peers had ever heard of arthritis and if they had, it was because their grandparents had it,” Grace recalls. “When I experienced a flare-up and was unable to participate in certain activities, my peers assumed I was lazy or that I got special treatment. I didn’t want special treatment; I just wanted to be normal”.
This isolation can lead to a heavy emotional toll. Statistics show that up to 40% of teens with arthritis experience anxiety or depression. “In Canada, people with arthritis are 2-3 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety,” Pauliuk notes, emphasizing that the Society now prioritizes mental wellness alongside physical health.
The Path to Resilience
Despite her diagnosis, Grace refused to let arthritis define her, identifying instead as an artist and an athlete. In her youth, she played lacrosse as a goalie—a clever pivot that allowed her to excel without straining her joints.
“My advice for kids struggling with their diagnosis is to keep going,” Grace says. “Work with your doctors, coaches, and parents to find an alternative to whatever activity you want to try until something sticks. I’ve learned it’s one of the least interesting things about me”.
Connecting with others who “just get it” was the ultimate turning point for Grace. Programs like Club Sunrise—a virtual safe space—and summer camps provide kids with the opportunity to be vulnerable and build resilience.
“Connecting with others like me changed my entire life,” Grace explains. “Camp allowed me to be vulnerable with my peers and helped me learn to stop giving in to the pain… it’s been a very long journey, and I’m still not done, but I’ve come a very long way”.
Building a Pain-Free Future
Arthritis Society Canada is now the largest charitable funder of arthritis research in the country, investing over $240 million since its founding. Through community-driven fundraising like the West Coast Roast, the Society continues to power researchers working toward faster diagnoses and earlier treatments.
“Every dollar raised brings us closer to a future where children with arthritis can grow up with less pain and more support,” says Pauliuk.
For Grace, seeing the community come together means the world. “Our struggles are often overlooked and underestimated,” she says. “It’s inspiring to see hundreds of people offering support and raising critical funds that will directly help children with arthritis live stronger, healthier lives”.
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