Julie Robertshaw spent her early years as a gymnast with incredible potential, excelling in her talent.

But after being struck with unexplained pains in her late teens, her extraordinary flexibility revealed itself be a curse, not a blessing.

Now 44, she suffers from a rare condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or EDS for short.

It’s a genetic tissue disorder that hampers the development of collagen in the body, which can result in double jointedness, but leads to chronic joint pain, dislocations, fatigue and problems with the autonomic nerve system.

After watching his wife struggle with the condition from even just getting a diagnosis, doting husband, John, said he now wants to highlight the “invisible illness”.

A petition has now been launched to help raise awareness for EDS, aimed at the Department Of Health.

‘Bethanie’s Battle’ needs 100,000 UK residents to sign it before a Government debate will be considered.

To sign the petition, visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43368