Catherine Bull

Cat 24, was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was only 14 and had her first hip replacement at 20. The care she experienced led to her decision to become a doctor and she is now in her third year at Leeds University. Cat has found it extremely difficult to deal with people who don't understand arthritis, particularly as it is something they cannot see, and they associate it with the elderly. She refuses to let the disease ruin her life or stop achieving her goals. Due to the pioneering research by Arthritis Research UK, Cat is not wheelchair-bound and able to lead fairly normal life and she recently completed her third marathon. Amazing challenge as few years ago she could barely walk and her mum had to feed and dress her! The reason for me nominating Cat is simple, she is truly inspirational! Cat is relentlessly trying to raise awareness of juvenile arthritis. There are about 15,000 children in the UK with arthritis, the same number who have juvenile diabetes! Cat has fundraised by running marathon's, climbed Kilimanjaro and being interviewed on the BBC. She recently received a £5 from an 11 year old girl who she has never met. The young girl was suffering from arthritis and she felt as if Cat was talking about her, she felt really inspired and donated her pocket money to sponsor her. Cat would love carry the torch she would be absolutely delighted because it would give her a chance to show that life doesn't have to stop even in the face of adversity.