As early as Primary 2, Esther struggled to walk the short distance to school. Her mother felt something was amiss and brought her to the hospital for checks. Even though initial test results came back normal, she would often wake up in pain in the middle of the night. At school, she had to change her CCA three times – from skipping, to choir, to art – when regular activities became difficult to accomplish.

Persistent in finding out what was ailing her daughter, Esther's mother pursued in seeking a diagnosis. Esther was in Primary 5 when she was finally diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis(JIA), a lifelong and incurable condition that causes pain and stiffness in the spine. It can eventually lead to a total fusion of the spine and may result in a hunched posture.

Today, Esther relies on medication administered via an injector pen every two weeks to help with her condition, although there is to date no permanent cure for JIA. The regular injections have kept her pain-free although the arthritis may be triggered whenever she is stressed.

Her family worries about the cost of treatment, which is long-term. Medication for arthritis patients can cost as much as $30,000 a year and many require continuous treatment to manage their ailment. NAF helps patients like Esther with her medical costs so that she has a chance of living a normal childhood.

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