Karam’s story
Born with an adventurous spirit, Karam never imagined arthritis could steal the life she loved.
Before her diagnosis, it was clear something was wrong. Karam would wake up stuck in one position, waiting for her stiff, painful joints to loosen. Things escalated to include fevers, hearing loss and difficulty breathing. Declining rapidly, Karam was hospitalized and diagnosed with rheumatoid vasculitis, a rare form of arthritis attacking her organs and tissue.
“My world fell apart,” says Karam. “I was horrified. I love the outdoors—hiking, skiing, scuba diving. I thought, ‘That’s it! My life is over.’”
Karam has endured a harrowing journey: a shocking cardiac arrest, intensive care, rehab with a walker, then a cane, and a slow ongoing recovery.
Arthritis has stolen more than Karam’s physical health. Unable to work for over three years, she’s experienced a huge financial hit, losing her footing on her career ladder and falling behind in the rapidly evolving IT industry. With her treatment plans, unpredictable symptoms and immune-compromised health, Karam lost the opportunity to create memories that she would have made travelling and spending time with family overseas.
Managing invisible symptoms, Karam struggles with being misunderstood. "I look normal; it’s really hard to explain,” she says. “It’s overwhelming, all-encompassing, sheer exhaustion. The pain is excruciating. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
Having to rely on others for basic tasks some days leaves Karam feeling vulnerable. But she refuses to let arthritis dictate her life; adapting, Karam believes her passion for life will drive her progress. "But the reality is that my health always has to come first, something I previously took for granted,” she says.
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