Berry Burn Community Fund grants £2850 to Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis sufferer for therapy equipment

A woman who has a rare and incurable genetic condition has used a grant from a wind farm to pay for home hydrotherapy equipment.

Maria Spicer (20) from Forres – a Skills for Work student at Moray College UHI – has been unable to attend the Moray Hydrotherapy Pool since it was closed in March at the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

She has been unable to use the facility to ease the symptoms of arthritis but, thanks to a £2850 award from the Berry Burn Community Fund, she is getting a hot tub with access steps later this month.

Maria’s mother Barbara confirmed her daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) when she was just 18 months old, and also has autism and epilepsy – all part of a genetic condition.

Barbara said: “Maria needs regular hydrotherapy to reduce her pain and stiffness, and to increase mobility and muscle strength.

“As a result of the lack of hydrotherapy since the pool closed, she has experienced more pain and fatigue.

“Her physiotherapist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary also noted that her range of movement has reduced, and suggested getting a hot tub.

“We are absolutely delighted that the Berry Burn committee granted the award, which covers the full cost of a hot tub which will make such a difference for Maria.”

JIA typically causes joint pain and inflammation in the hands, knees, ankles, elbows and/or wrists but it may affect other body parts too. JIA types are autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases meaning the immune system which is supposed to fight invaders like germs and viruses gets confused and attacks the body’s cells and tissues . This causes the body to release inflammatory chemicals that attack the synovium (tissue lining around a joint). It produces fluid that cushions joints and helps them move smoothly. An inflamed synovium may make a joint feel painful or tender, look red or swollen or difficult to move. JIA symptoms may come and go. Periods of lots inflammation and worsening symptoms are called flares which can last for days or months.

Controlling inflammation and managing disease can prevent damage and complications from these health effects. There is no cure for JIA but remission is possible. Heat treatments, such as heat pads or warm baths, work best for soothing stiff joints and tired muscles.

“The hot tub will provide the daily therapeutic benefits Maria needs,” said Barbara, “but the hydrotherapy pool offers social benefits and so it would be really beneficial for Maria to be able to get back to the weekly pilates classes run by Susan at the pool when it reopens.”

A Moray Hydrotherapy spokeswoman confirmed it is hoped that the facility will reopen next year.

She added: “Most of our users have lowered immunity so are more at risk to coronavirus. Unfortunately social distancing would be too difficult to maintain which is why we are closed.”