Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Dr Janet McDonagh

Dr Janet McDonagh clinical and research interests are in adolescent health, chronic illness and transitional care, and has worked in an advisory capacity on these issues to the Department of Health in recent years.

  • Background

    Clinical Senior lecturer in Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology, University of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Stacey

    Stacey is Bradley's mum. Bradley has enthesitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). She was devastated when Bradley was diagnosed but is pleased with his healthcare team and how well the methotrexate has worked.

  • Background

    Stacey is an administrator. She is married and has two children aged fourteen and eleven. She is white British.

  • Age at interview 40
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Tina

    Tina is Lucy's mum. Lucy has systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Tina did not give Lucy her medication when she was first diagnosed because she was afraid of the reported side effects. Lucy became very poorly one winter and had fluid around the heart. After life-saving surgery Tina let Lucy take the medication. The medication has been very effective.

  • Background

    Tina owns a hair salon. She is married and has five children (aged 2, 4, 5, 8 and 10). Lucy is her oldest child and was 10 at the time...

  • Age at interview 38
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Robert and Karen

    Robert and Karen did not suspect that Charlotte had arthritis at first. However, once Charlotte's symptoms deteriorated they had to fight against the view that Charlotte was simply experiencing growing pains. As soon as Charlotte was diagnosed her care dramatically improved and her parents are very happy with the services.

  • Background

    Robert and Karen are married and live with their daughter, Charlotte aged 17. Robert and Karen also have a son aged 19 who is in the army and lives away...

  • Age at interview 45
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Karen

    Karen has rheumatoid arthritis. Her daughter, Jenna, has juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Karen and Jenna have their arthritis under control. Jenna may not need her medication in the future because she has responded to it so well. Jenna can turn to her mum if she has questions about arthritis and medication. Both remain fit through dance.

  • Background

    Karen is a school administrator. She is married and lives with her husband and two daughters (who are 14 and 11). She is white British.

  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Marie

    Marie is the mother of Ryan, a young boy with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Ryan had a hard time with arthritis until he was placed on a clinical trial. Marie left her job to look after Ryan full-time at home. Marie says that Ryan's care has improved since being on the clinical trial.

  • Background

    Marie has taken time off work to care for her son, Ryan. Before Ryan was diagnosed with arthritis, Marie used to manage a hair salon. Marie lives with her two...

  • Age at interview 33
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Debbie

    Debbie is Chantelle's mum. Chantelle is 16 and has chronic juvenile psoriatic arthritis. Debbie provided emotional and physical support to Chantelle when she was struggling with arthritis and bullying. At one point Debbie did not give Chantelle her medication because she was afraid of the side effects. This changed when the doctors said that harmful side effects were rare.

  • Background

    Debbie is a house wife. She is married and has three children (aged 16, 23 and 25). She is white British.

  • Age at interview 43
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Paul

    Paul's daughter Elizabeth (Interview 31) was diagnosed at 18 months with JIA. Paul has helped his daughter develop strategies for dealing with health professionals.

  • Background

    Paul is married with three grown up children, aged 26, 22 and 19. His youngest child Elizabeth has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Paul is self-employed, and is white European.

  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Sheri

    Sheri has rheumatoid arthritis. Her daughter, Charlotte, has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Sheri suspected that Charlotte had arthritis before the GP diagnosed it. Sheri suffers from clinical depression but tries to remain positive for Charlotte.

  • Background

    Sheri is married and has one daughter, Charlotte. She is unemployed and is white British.

  • Age at interview 39
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Teresa

    Teresa is Elly's mum. Elly has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Teresa was upset when she heard that Elly had arthritis but please to hear that few children are now in wheelchairs because of arthritis.

  • Background

    Teresa is married and has 4 children. She is white British.

  • Age at interview 55
  • Sex/Gender Female