Helping promote the Dive 4 Fun in aid of children's arthritis are diving coach and Zoe's Angels founder Natalie Billiard and daughter Zoe, 3, who has a rare form of arthritis. Photo by Chris McCormack.
IMAGINE waking up every morning with your limbs aching, a rash all over your body and a fever. Even your insides hurt. You're so lethargic that it's a struggle to roll out of bed.
Now imagine you are three years old and feel like this every day.
That is Zoe Billiard's life.
With her small face and big smile, it's difficult to imagine the constant pain her smile masks.
When Zoe was 15 months old, she was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the least common and most severe form of juvenile arthritis, which affects only a handful of children in Australia each year.
More than 4600 children are affected by juvenile arthritis in Australia each year.
"We hadn't heard of it so it has been a very steep learning curve," her mother, Natalie Billiard, from Birkdale, said.
As well as sore joints, the child usually has fever and a rash, aching limbs, and feels tired and listless. The condition may also affect the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, and anaemia and weight loss may occur. It can be fatal.
However, management and medication, plus lots of love and support, can help a child lead a fairly normal life.
Zoe's grandparents, Alan and Di Smith, who also live in Birkdale, are part of a team called Zoe's Angels, which has organised a fundraiser to help other children diagnosed with this disease.
Through William's Wish, a charity set up in honour of a little boy called William who lost his fight with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and gained his angel wings last year, R.A.P.S Diving Club and Zoe's Angels have organised two Dive 4 Fun fundraising events.
"We are trying to raise public awareness of this terrible disease and raise funds to support the children who suffer from it," said Mrs Smith, who runs the award-winning RAPS Diving Club along with husband Alan.
"It's been a very emotional journey for all the family," she said.
"This disease is rare and can be life threatening.
"Our aim is to gain awareness that kids get arthritis too."
Mr Smith, who won Coach of the Year at the Australian Age Nationals in April, coaches divers at the club.
The first Dive 4 Fun day is being held on Sunday, August 12 at the Sleeman Sports Complex, on the corner of Tilley and Old Cleveland roads from 9am to 4pm.
It is open to anyone, young or old, who wants to give springboard diving a try.
Club divers, including state and national champions, will show off their skills during the day.
The fundraiser is supported by Arthritis NSW and Everyday Heroes.
The club is looking for corporate sponsors and donations from the public.
A second Dive 4 Fun day is planned for the Sunshine Coast in November.
To register for Dive 4 Fun or to donate to Zoe's Angels, contact Di Smith on 0411 121 198.
