With the onset of inflammatory arthritis at just 10 years old and skin manifestations of psoriatic disease in my 20s, I have experienced the physical, aesthetic, and mental health impacts of psoriatic disease for most of my life.
In my early 30s, I decided to raise my voice and harness my experience to help others. I campaign actively for awareness and change, focusing on psoriatic disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, chronic pain and mental health. My goal is to stop the stigma around these diseases and help others feel less alone.
We need to consider more than test results, what hurts, and the cost of treatment when it comes to patient care. So I work to promote the importance and benefits of personalised care, shared decision-making, and multidisciplinary approaches, including mental health support that aims to treat the person as a whole, rather than just the symptom(s).
I am a published writer and host a podcast and Twitch and YouTube channel under the banner of ‘Joel vs Arthritis’, where I talk about the realities of living with chronic illness and pain and have built a growing community of peer support around the world through my candid, ‘no-filter’ approach.
Based in Norfolk, UK, I live with my wife and young son but increasingly travel the world to be involved in projects for change.