(Kathryn Mannie/ Global News) — Charlene fought for years to have her pain and high-fever symptoms taken seriously by doctors. So long that even she even began to take their doubts to heart. Maybe there really was nothing wrong with her.

But 15 doctors and two-and-a-half years later, her fears were finally validated.  …

(Touria Izri / CJAD News) — Akelia Campell is just 30 years old, but she already has arthritis severe enough to rival the condition of people decades older.

Her joints are so worn out that she’s already had a hip replacement. She’s wearing a sling to help recover from recent shoulder surgery.

“I couldn’t  …