Arthritis is the single biggest cause of disability in Ireland.
It affects almost 1 million people, damaging joints, causing severe pain, stiffness, immobility and deformity and it can be a daily challenge to cope with the resulting pain and fatigue.
Arthritis does not discriminate. It is a disease that can affect anyone from the newborn right through to the elderly. Arthritis takes away people’s dignity by preventing them from doing basic, everyday tasks – a parent, for instance, who can no longer pick up their child; a father unable to hold down a job; a child unable to play with their friends. That is the reality of arthritis. For many it means isolation, difficulties at work and a loss of self-confidence.
In order to support people facing these challenges Arthritis Ireland will deliver a 6 week Living Well with Arthritis course in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis, beginning on Thursday the 22nd of September.
The course has been devised by experts and has proven to be effective in helping people with Arthritis and related conditions to manage pain, reduce fatigue and to improve well-being. It also gives those who attend an opportunity to meet and share experiences with people who are coping with many of the same issues.
It is open to those with arthritis or similar conditions including Osteoporosis, Fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Lupus, Raynauds disease and Scleroderma. The six sessions will be delivered by Arthritis Ireland trained volunteers based in County Clare who have arthritis and who have benefitted from the course.
Starting on Thursday the 22nd of September the Living Well with Arthritis course will run once a week until the 27th of October in Treacy’s West County Hotel Ennis. The two and a half hour sessions begin at 7pm every Thursday and the six week course costs €32 with a reduced rate of €24 for medical card holders.
To book a place email training@arthritisireland.ie or phone 01 6470206 or 1890252846.