Adam's battle against adversity

At first glance Adam Roll is just like his teammates giving their all during a Sunday morning football match.

But the ten year old, from Caister, has had to show real commitment just to step onto the pitch battling both severe arthritis and diabetes.

Adam was in a wheelchair for more than a year after being diagnosed with arthritis aged just four, but the determination to regain his mobility never wavered.

Now despite the condition, which affects his whole body, Adam leads an active life playing football for Ormesby Lads under 11 and performing with the Dance Estelle group.

A pupil at Ormesby Village Junior School, Adam has regular physiotherapy sessions and weekly injections to treat the arthritis. He also needs insulin injections several times a day for his diabetes which he has suffered from the age of four.

Elder brother Jacob, 14, also suffers from arthritis, which is often mistakenly believed to mainly affect older people.

Mum Val said: “We are very pleased with Adam's progress; he has showed a lot of bravery and determination.

“Once when he played football one of his knees swelled up to double the size it should be, but he still wanted to continue. That is typical of Adam he just tries to keep going however bad it is.

“He had to use a wheelchair when he started school, but has improved a lot since and is determined not to experience that again.”

“Adam doesn't like people to think he is different, but if his arthritis is really bad it can stop him being active.

“Despite everything he is always happy, negative thoughts will not do him any good and we are determined he does not miss out on his childhood.”

Now in his second season with Ormesby Lads, Adam performed with Dance Estelle in a 40s themed show at the Ocean Room last weekend and is also a member of Martham St John Ambulance Cadets.