From wheelchair-bound child to patient advocate: Neil Betteridge’s inspiring journey
In Episode 9 of The Pioneering Patient Podcast, renowned patient advocate Neil Betteridge shares his extraordinary personal story of living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and how it shaped his lifelong commitment to improving healthcare for others.
As a child, Neil experienced severe pain, limited mobility, and spent time wheelchair-bound due to his condition. His life changed after being referred to pioneering paediatric rheumatologist Professor Barbara Ansell, whose innovative approach to treatment helped him achieve remission. Remarkably, Neil went on to become captain of his school soccer team, transforming from a child with significant disability into an active young person.
Today, Neil serves as Senior Director for the Global Alliance for Patient Access, is on G-MUSC’s Executive and is recognised as one of Europe’s leading patient advocates. Drawing on both his lived experience and professional expertise, he continues to champion better outcomes for people living with rheumatic and other chronic conditions. His message is clear: every patient deserves the best possible care and the best possible outcome.
Watch the full interview to hear Neil’s powerful story of resilience, recovery, and advocacy – Patient Story: From wheelchair bound to school soccer captain; The Pioneering Patient Podcast Ep 9
