THE most complete joy of a mother is being able to hold her new baby ... but for Shirley Brown it has been sheer agony.

Even the simple task of changing a nappy caused her to cry out in pain - and keeping up with the growing infant is proving difficult

For Shirley suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, which means looking after 14-month-old Brian is a daily struggle.

Luckily, she has been given the support she needs to cope with her energetic role as a mother and, as a result, is giving her backing to Young Arthritis Care, a new support group aimed at showing young sufferers they are not alone.

Shirley was just 30 years old and had been married only a few months when she discovered she had rheumatoid arthritis.

She became pregnant and though she was well during her pregnancy it came back with a vengeance when Brian was born in November 1994.

She said: "When I tried to change his nappy he'd kick my wrists, as babies do, and I'd scream with pain. Now he's really patient with me - the way he isn't with his dad. He sits and chuckles at me as if he understands."

Shirley wears splints on her arms so that she can pick him up, but Brian will soon be moving quicker than mum.

She said: "It's hard to face the fact I won't be able to play with him the way other mums can. That's the biggest frustration of all. My mind runs ahead of my body."

Throughout her suffering Shirley received support from Sue Donnelly, a specialist rheumatoid arthritis nurse based at South Shore Hospital, who has helped set up Young Arthritis Care.

"Knowing Sue is on the end of the phone is such a help," said Shirley.

"She has managed to persuade me not to try and rush around when Brian is asleep, making myself worse, but to do one or two things then rest, accepting my limitations. I just wish the public understood more about it and realise you don't have to be old to get it."

The first meeting of the support group will be held on February 8 at the New Mayfair Hotel, New South Promenade, from 7.30pm and Sue believes it will benefit a lot of people.

She explained: "A support group can really help because sufferers can talk through their problems with others who understand and experience similar difficulties."

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