Calista, The Journalist
© from the text Calista Periodista: Eva Latonda 2018 © from the illustrations: Maru García, 2018
About IMIDs
IMIDs are a group of conditions which occur when something goes wrong in our immune system, which is there to protect us.
This failure forces our system to attack our body and therefore, some of the organs of those who suffer from it swell.
Their names sound a bit funny: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Psoriasis, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, Uveitis, Hidradenitis… and many more.
Their treatment requires various doctors to work well together as a team: paediatricians, gastroenterologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists...
In Spain there are 50,000 children and young people affected by IMIDs and they're offered support by associations like ACCU (the Association for Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis), Psoriasis Action and ConArtritis (With Arthritis).
Things that you find very easy can sometimes be difficult for boys and girls affected by IMIDs: getting dressed, going up and down the stairs, running, going to school every day, etc.
This is the story of Calista, a girl with JIA (Juvenile idiopathic arthritis).
She passes her joy for life on to her followers on her YouTube channel.
Hi there, followers.
Welcome to Calista the journalist's channel.
I'm speaking quietly so that Mummy and Daddy don't hear me.
Today I've got a check-up with Doctor Merino and I don't fancy going to the hospital at all, so I'm hiding here in my tent.
-Cal, where are you?
That's Daddy, did you hear him? I love the sound of his voice.
-Calista love, come on or we'll be late for the rheumatologist.
And that's Mummy.
When she calls me by my real name I know that she means business. I don't want them to get cross, they really look after me so well that they deserve all the kisses in the world.
I'll let you know how the check-up goes. See you in my next video.
Hi there, followers.
Here I am again on my channel, Calista the journalist.
The tests went well, I've grown and that's good news.
But I think that I'll have to miss school again because I'm a bit "weak".
You guys might love being able to miss school, but not me.
I get really far behind with my school work...
...and to be a journalist I'll have to make it to college
Today, Zunduri , my Ethiopian friend that I met in hospital,
came to visit me. I interviewed her a few weeks ago on my channel, do you remember?
She gave me the idea about the project for
"Science Week" at school.
With this year's topic being water
we made a "well building kit" to send to Walmara which is the name of her village in Africa.
There is water in Ethiopia but it's very hard to get to.
Besides, I have also written a cool article. It was that good it was even published by Servimedia, the ONCE Foundation's news agency.
Here's the link to it. See you in my next video.
Hi there, followers, In the end I couldn't go to school and didn't get to see the presentation of our "well building kit",
but my friends have recorded it and you guys will be able to see it too.
I have to tell you that I've had a new flare-up.
Look at my eyes, they're all red, aren't they? The doctors call it Uveitis.
But don't worry, guys, the medication will make me feel better and, as always, I'll be here to keep telling you some lovely stories.
In this video, the story is all about Pablo and Paula, , whom I also met at hospital.
Pablo has Crohn's disease and it affects his stomach. He has to go to the toilet a lot and he gets embarrassed about it.
Paula has psoriasis and her skin. goes red with a sort of white scaly patches.
When people ask her what's wrong with her she gets embarrassed and covers herself up.
"You can send your
embarrassment
packing,"
I've told them.
I'm going to interview them on my channel so that you can see just how strong and brave they are.
So I'll see you back here for my next video, when you can support them and give them your encouragement, , because unhappiness is the only thing which has no cure.
It all comes down to having a nice smile on your face...
He, He, He...
End
