Gutsy teen refuses to let the pain take over her life

KUALA LUMPUR: Chia Wei Yin may have suffered from constant pain and immobility as a child but the gutsy teenager refuses to let Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) stifle her life.

The 19-year-old has, since the age of two, been living with JIA which affects the joints or connective tissues in children below the age of 16.

Chia Wei Yin, 19, is determined to lead a fulfilling life despite living
with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) since the age of two.
With her are (from left) her mother, Leow Mee Ling, 41,
father Chia Woon Loon, 52, and brother Chia Wei Yang, 10,
who are looking at her inspirational story in the MY WIRA coffee table book.

It is similar to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults, which is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can damage the lining of the small joints in the hands and feet, causing painful swelling, bone erosion and joint deformity.

Before the pre-Law student received proper treatment at the age of 10, pain, stiffness and swelling were part of her life.

Despite the deformities of her hands and feet, she strives to be independent and is able to drive a car.

Wei Yin strives to excel in everything she does, including the simple task of writing.

“Sometimes what others do, I can do better. You know, my handwriting is very legible,” she said.

Wei Yin is optimistic about the future and dreams of becoming a criminal lawyer or family lawyer.

Wei Yin, one of the unsung heroes who wrote her inspiring story in the MY WIRA (Malaysian Women in Rheumatoid Arthritis) coffee table book, was at the launch of the MY WIRA campaign yesterday to raise awareness about RA among women.

The campaign was a joint effort of the Malaysian Society of Rheumatology, Health Ministry, Human Resources Ministry, Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and Abbott Laboratories Malaysia.

At the launch, Malaysian Society of Rheumatology president Dr Gun Suk Chyn said about 140,000 Malaysians are suffering from RA.

“However, only less than 10% seek medical treatment and many of them see us when it is too late as they have developed joint deformities,” she said.

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