Aga answers “Why was Clara unable to walk? Does the...”

Tracy Wood asked this question about Heidi (Heidi, #1-2):

Why was Clara unable to walk? Does the book say if she had polio or something else?

Aga My guess is juvenile arthritis. I had this as a child. I loved both " Heidi" and „The Secret Garden" because there were characters just like me and th…moreMy guess is juvenile arthritis. I had this as a child. I loved both " Heidi" and „The Secret Garden" because there were characters just like me and there was a happy ending. Vitamin D is important supplement for kids with arthritis, as well as calcium and other nutrients. The most scary part is that the immune system doesn’t work well, so I had severe pneumonia twice. So I really understood how everyone was frightened that Klara or even more Colin will catch something and die if they go outside.

It really was reassuring that Klara and Colin were walking without pain and playing with other kids outside in the end. It was very difficult to make me to practice walking at first. What helped was my family moving to a village outside the city, spending time outside with friends, drinking fresh milk every day and having a great doctor. (less)

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