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Award-Winning Arthritis and Psoriasis Patient Leader, Freelance Writer, Content Creator and Lived Experience Consultant
Award-Winning Arthritis and Psoriasis Patient Leader, Freelance Writer, Content Creator and Lived Experience Consultant
Hi! I'm Joel, and I'm on a mission to raise awareness, improve support and advocate for those living with arthritis and autoimmune disease by sharing the realities of living with chronic illness and pain.
I've won a WEGO Award for my contribution to global advocacy and use my creative skills as a Freelance Writer, Content Creator and Public Speaker along with my personal story to inspire change and amplify and promote the integration and value of the patient voice to improve outcomes.
I help organisations, non-profits and people to identify and understand the patient journey, pain points and value of lived experience in healthcare and policy at every step of the process. Ensuring that the patient voice is not only heard in every project, strategy or service change but is considered and part of the decision-making process throughout.
Current Roles
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 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.
Joel Nelson
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My journey, how I found my voice and why I choose to raise awareness of arthritis and associated conditions on YouTube
The latest recording from our popular Twitch Chat Show. Inspiring interviews, moving stories and important conversations to raise awareness
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Disclaimer: I talk candidly about my personal health journey, but I cannot help you personally with your health issues. I am not a medical professional and in no way claim to be medically trained. My contact forms and email are not for medical support. Please get in touch with your primary healthcare professional for medical assistance.
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