Photo by Sarah Burton

In recognition of Arthritis Awareness Month, a group of women gathered at the Red Leaf Centre in Springdale September 29 fashioning their blue sweaters, scarves and other blue accessories.

Everyone in attendance was either living with arthritis themselves, or they came on behalf of family members. As they shared blueberry cheesecake and blue-dyed trifle, they spoke about the challenges associated with the condition, and about the little things that make living with arthritis a lot easier.

"We have this for our elderly adults to inform them on arthritis and the different kinds of arthritis," said Sharon Pelley, project co-ordinator for Life Unlimited for Older Adults. "It was a day to get together, have a chat, enjoy some desserts, and we asked a volunteer from the Arthritis Society to come and speak to the group."

That volunteer was retired nurse Rita Rideout, a resident of Rattling Brook, who has arthritis in one of her knees. For her it began as a work injury.

"It was discovered about 12 years ago, but I was injured before then, having collided with something at work. The doctor told me then 'you're going to have arthritis later on,' and I did," said Ms. Rideout. "The cartilage is going, that's what happens with arthritis, the cartilage wears away inside the joint and you get this painful rubbing."

Ms. Rideout outlined the function of the Arthritis Society and provided the group with information booklets. She explained to the group that they are only a few out of thousands of people who live with arthritis, which can take on over 100 different forms.

"In Newfoundland and Labrador alone, there are 95,000 people who have arthritis and three out of five of those are working people," she said.

Sandra Burling, also a retired nurse, has been living with arthritis for 20 years. While taking part in Blue Day, she listed some of the minor things that have helped her with the condition. Things like the way kitchen sink faucets function and the height of toilets, and how it's important to individuals with arthritis.

"All the simple things make a difference, like even lifting. There is a correct way to lift and you don't lift anything heavy - divide your load," said Ms. Burling.

This is something she practices when buying groceries.

"When all my groceries are coming through the checkout, I have all my bags lined up, and I put this amount in this bag and that amount in that bag, so I've got small amounts," she said. The thing is then, when you go to left them, you can take a bag in each hand, and you're balanced and standing straight, instead of bent over and hauling too much weight."

Ms. Burling also noted the importance of having safety supports in your washroom.

"For anyone who has any hip, or knee joint problems, they should have some sort of properly installed safety grab bars on their bathtub, so when you go in and out, you can support yourself. Bathmats are important too," she suggested.

Both ladies emphasized small lifestyle adjustments that an individual can make to prevent arthritis, or perhaps lengthen its onset. For instance, Ms. Rideout suggested that people should have their elbows bent while driving, improving circulation in the joints.

There are tools that people can use as well. During the event, Ms. Rideout handed out an interesting prize to one lady. It took on the appearance of a mouse pad, but it was a rubber pad designed to help grip objects like jar lids and knife handles.

"All the little things make a difference," she noted.

The Arthritis Society website is www.arthritis.ca