How Are You Promoting Arthritis Awareness This Month?

More than 46 million Americans have some form of arthritis.  Many people do not know how arthritis affects the individuals who have it, their families and friends, their coworkers, their finances, their health insurance premiums, their quality of life, etc.

What are you doing to promote awareness of this disease that is the leading cause of disability?  This disease that affects more than 300,000 children in the United States?  The toll of arthritis is rising.  We should be educating others about it. 

Since May is Arthritis Awareness month, this is the perfect time to help promote this debilitating disease that has no cure. 

Here are some suggestions on what you can do:

• share your story with someone
• write a letter to your Congressional representative about how arthritis affects you or someone in your family
• write a letter to your Congressional representative supporting the Arthritis Prevention Control & Cure Act
• ask others to write their Congressional representatives
• send in an editorial to your local newspaper
• participate in or volunteer at a local Arthritis Foundation Arthritis Walk
• proudly display your Arthritis Awareness items
• register to be an Arthritis Advocate with the Arthritis Foundation

There are many ways to show your support.  Just choose what suits you best and let us know how you promote Arthritis Awareness!

Will You Be Walking for Arthritis in May?

It is just about mid-April which means May is just around the corner.  You know what that means…The Arthritis Foundation Arthritis Walk is soon approaching.

The Arthritis Walk is typically held in May, which is Arthritis Awareness month.  The event is held in various cities and is a way for people with arthritis to meet and know that they are not alone.  It is also a terrific way to get more information from the Arthritis Foundation and meet arthritis-related vendors. 

If you are physically not able to participate in the walk, that is okay.  There are still ways for you to show your support.  You can cheer for those that do walk or even run.  You can volunteer at the walk or even make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation in honor of yourself or someone with arthritis.

Don’t forget dogs are welcome too!  They also get arthritis and suffer just like we do.  If your pooch has arthritis and is not physically able to participate in the walk, consider pulling your dog in a wagon.  Children with arthritis are astonished to learn that dogs can get arthritis too.  Your pooch may just make several new friends.

If you will be attending the Arthritis Walk in Lexington, KY on May 9, 2009, consider joining Team ArthriticJoints.com.  I would love to walk with you and hear your stories.  As a bonus, for every ArthriticJoints.com team member that raises at least $25, you will receive your choice of a free Arthritis Awareness magnet or lapel pin. 

If you are already on a team, then just stop by the Advocacy tent to say hello.  I will be volunteering there until the walk starts and would love to talk to you.

Good luck to all!

Join Team ArthriticJoints.com at the Lexington, KY Arthritis Walk

Join Team ArthriticJoints.com at the 2009 Arthritis Walk in Lexington, Kentucky.

On May 9, 2009, Team ArthriticJoints.com will be participating in the Arthritis Foundation’s Annual Arthritis Walk. We are inviting anyone that wants to participate to join the team. Runners, walkers and pets are all welcome!

Each ArthriticJoints.com team member that raises or contributes $25 or more will receive your choice of a free Arthritis Awareness ribbon magnet (left) or lapel pin (bottom). 

If you would like to support the event, but are unable to attend, please consider supporting Team ArthriticJoints.com through a general team donation.  100% of the donation goes to the Arthritis Foundation.  Every little bit helps to fight this disease! 

Show your support for those who have arthritis!  Let’s walk or run together!

Need Help Finding the Motivation to Walk?

Are you feeling stiff and achy?  Do you feel like there is no way possible you could walk a 5K or even a 1-mile route in May?  Well, you’re not alone. 

Many of us need some motivation to help us get up and moving when we hurt, especially on the bad days.  Here are some tips that may help you:

Get a walking buddy.  They are there to support you and give you encouragement.  Don’t forget it goes both ways.

Take your dog for a walk.  They love to get outside and they love the attention.  Best of all, they give you motivation to keep you going.  How many can resist the wagging tail and playfulness of their pooch?

Make it a family event.  Go for a walk after dinner.  When your family supports you, it makes things a little more attainable.

Are you motivated by a sense of accomplishment?  Then, today decide to get out of the house and to the end of the driveway.  Tomorrow, go a little bit further, maybe two houses down from yours.  The next day, try to walk to more houses or the whole block.  Just keep adding on to it.

Try using a pedometer.  Wear it throughout the day.  Even if you can’t get outside or on a treadmill to walk, the pedometer will record your strides throughout the day.  Take a look at the pedometer reading at the end of the day.  Then, commit to walking more the next day and so on.

Another thing you could do is to try to recruit family, friends, coworkers, etc, for the arthritis walk.  You can walk together, plan together, exercise together, etc. 

Whether you get to the Arthritis Walk or not, the important thing is to just get up and get moving.

Problem with Shoe Laces? Not Anymore!

Arthritic fingers tend to make it difficult to tie shoe laces.  Especially, when you have to keep tying them over and over again.  So, in order to help you with your preparation for the Arthritis Foundation Arthritis Walk (hint hint), I recommend you try some new laces or go lace free.

If you want to keep your current shoes, then just upgrade your shoe laces to the elastic curly shoe laces.  They are usually advertised for children who don’t know how to tie their shoes yet, but they are great for adults too!  You just run them through your shoes just like you would regular laces, but you only have to do that once.  After that, you’re finished.  The laces, which you do not tie, allow you to slip your shoe on and off.

On the other hand, if you are in the market for new sneakers, look for the kind without laces.  Skechers has various models to choose from.  I have the Women’s Premium Premix in the wide width.  I absolutely love it!  The bottom of the shoe has a wider base which helps to prevent you from twisting your foot.  I buy a couple of pairs at a time, so I always have a backup pair.  The best thing is that I have not had to tie any shoe laces in two years!

Take a look at what Skechers has to offer.  If you’re not quite ready to invest in a new athletic shoe, then try the curly laces.  Either way, you’re bound to find something that helps.

Get Those Walking Shoes Ready!

It’s that time of year again!  Yes, you heard right.  It’s time to start thinking about the Arthritis Foundation’s 2009 Arthritis Walk. 

Those of you that have participated in the Arthritis Walk know that it is a great time.   For those of you that have not participated in an Arthritis Walk before, take a look at the video below.  It shows what you will encounter at the walk and why the walk is so important.

I really enjoy going to the Arthritis Walk.  You meet other people, children and pets that have arthritis.  You meet their friends and families that are their to support them.  You also meet various vendors that can answer your questions.  In years past, I have seen rheumatologists, chiropractors, representatives from joint replacement companies, health-related companies, animal hospitals, etc.

On top of all that, the Arthritis Foundation has tents for Arthritis Advocacy, general information, a children’s area with fun things to do and educational materials.

The walk is usually held in May in numerous cities nationwide.  Find the location closest to you. 

It only takes a few minutes to register.  If you register now, you have time to start a team, raise some funds and start preparing your body for the walk.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts on preparing for the walk.