On Monday April 11th, the first of a series of eight conferences on living with arthritis was presented at the Huntingdon CLSC.
Twenty-two people from Saint Anicet, Ormstown, Howick and Huntingdon gathered to listen to Julie Felx—the creator of Groupe de soutien du Suroît Arthrite/Arthrose-GSSAA, a non-profit created in September 29, 2014. Julie founded the GSSAA to help people living with arthritis because, at only age 37, she suffers from the condition and on top of that is also raising a teen with the disease.
“People think arthritis only touches old people; but they are wrong. Children, teens and adults can suffer from these conditions. Many people don’t realize that,” Julie says. The goal of the organization is to provide people living with arthritis/arthrosis, and their families, the opportunity to share their experiences and their knowledge about the disease. The aim is also to enable these people to participate in various activities tailored to their needs and to establish a reference network. The GSSAA is run autonomously by volunteers and also collaborates significantly with The Arthritis Society and the Canadian Spondyloarthritis Association.
The eight planned conferences on themes from managing chronic pain to eating better for arthritis will be given at multiple CLSCs throughout the Upper Saint Lawrence over a three-year span. The conferences will discuss various methods that, in addition to the traditional medications, can help people live fuller lives. One key point of discussion will be exercise. Julie explains: “Keeping moving is key. If you want to continue your favorite activities and have them be easy, you need to keep moving. If you don’t, things get hard.” She cites the most beneficial exercises for arthritis as biking, swimming, yoga, tai chi, and walking.
Other topics that will be addressed throughout this series of lectures include general introductions to the diseases arthritis and arthrosis, seeking out different types of therapy like physiotherapy and chiropractic help, and discussions on mental wellbeing. Julie explains that feeling in control of your condition can help sufferers’ emotional health. Acceptance of the illness can be a difficult issue, especially with someone young who is facing lifelong management of the disease.
On Saturday the April 23rd, the second edition of the GSSAA’s Annual Conference Day and Dinner Fundraiser will be held in Les Coteaux. The morning will feature a medical expert on inflammatory arthritis/arthrosis and osteoporosis. In the afternoon, chiropractic and physiotherapy experts will make presentations, and many information booths on such topics as yoga, electrotherapy, and conscious movement will be accessible. Tickets are available in advance and at the door until capacity. Call 450-288-4742 for more info or visit http://www.gssaa.ca/ for additional information.
The following two conferences to be held at regional CLSCs are Friday, April 29th in Châteauguay and Monday, May 9th in Rigaud. Conferences are given in French.
