Introduction to Luke’s Story
A 35-year-old man from West London, diagnosed with arthritis as a child, is tackling the challenging task of swimming the English Channel solo to raise money for charity. Luke Belfield, a West London resident, was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis at 11 years old and has lived with the condition since. He is now aiming to raise £10,000 for Versus Arthritis, a charity that helped him through years of pain and uncertainty during his diagnosis.
The Challenge Ahead
The challenge itself is considered one of the toughest endurance swims due to grueling tides, freezing temperatures, and jellyfish-filled waters. However, it’s essential to Luke to use the challenge to raise funds for the charity, helping to reduce diagnosis time and raise awareness of arthritis in young people. At only 11 years old, Luke remembers waking up with a swollen ankle followed by pain in his knees and hips that led to multiple doctors’ trips and finally, after two years, a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and Uveitis.
Living with Arthritis
An estimated 10,000 children under the age of 16 in the UK have juvenile idiopathic arthritis, causing joint pain and swelling, loss of mobility or dexterity, and can cause extreme tiredness and fatigue in children, having a severe impact on them and their families. Luke recalls, "The diagnosis was devastating. Arthritis is often misunderstood, and at 11 years old, I had no idea what was happening to me. I was placed under general anesthesia multiple times, as steroids were injected into my heel and ankle. I remember vividly asking the Doctor, is my future bleak? It was age 29 that I started openly talking about it as I feared people would judge me. Having the vulnerability and courage to talk about arthritis finally gave me the power to accept it. Shining a light on my condition robbed it of its shame. I’ve made my mess my message."
Managing the Condition
At only 13 years old, Luke was put on Sulfasalazine, a type of drug known as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug that reduces inflammation, pain, and swelling in your joints. By the age of 14, he was back playing non-contact sports again after his initial diagnosis, and at 17 years old, he went into remission, just before starting university. From 18-26, Luke focused on strength training while focusing on lifestyle changes such as meditation, sleep, and nutrition and finally felt himself again.
Overcoming Flare-Ups
Unfortunately, at 26, Luke had a flare-up that took his mind right back to his 11-year-old self at the time of his diagnosis. Fortunately, this time Luke was well-equipped to manage his condition and restarted Sulfasalazine and Adalimumab, a biologic medication. Luke said, "after taking some time to come to terms with what was happening to me again, I did what I could to stop things getting any worse. I focused on changing my mindset, prioritizing yoga, sleep, nutrition, stress management, and anything I could to get back in the gym. I remember saying to myself I need to set a goal, when I get better, I want to run a marathon. That is what kept me focused."
Preparing for the English Channel Swim
In the last nine years, Luke exceeded his initial goal. Not only has he now completed the Athens Marathon, but he has finished one Full Ironman (3.8km swim, 180km cycle, 42km run), three Half Ironman’s (70.3), and numerous notable open water swimming challenges. Most recently, Luke completed his longest swim to date, a 10 hour 14 min, 31.8km from Jersey to France in July while fundraising and ensuring to continue raising awareness for children going through an arthritis diagnosis at a young age like he once was. All these challenges have helped prepare Luke to take on his biggest one yet, the solo swim across the English Channel to France, in aid of Versus Arthritis.
Motivation to Fundraise
"They helped me, now I want to help the next generation. This swim is just the tip of the iceberg. The real work is making sure no child feels as alone as I did. Outside of work and training, I dedicate my time to work with healthcare professionals and other young people living with arthritis to do all to help. I want the 13-year-old who just wants to play football to know there’s hope," said Luke explaining his motivations to fundraise for the charity.
About Versus Arthritis
Versus Arthritis is the UK’s leading dedicated charity funder of arthritis research and has been involved in breakthroughs which have changed the landscape for people with rheumatoid arthritis, reducing chronic pain and helping them regain independence. The charity is working towards a future where people can live free from the pain of arthritis.
