I went to the Watford and District Annual General Meeting of Arthritis Care today, at St Thomas's Langley Road. There were about 40 people there, and we heard about the various activities that they run - very well - across the area.
My own experience of Arthritis Care is the Tai Chi for Arthritis classes that they run at Sacred Heart Church in Bushey. I saw a poster at my GPs surgery advertising the classes in the autumn, and went along (rather nervously), but after a term and a bit, I am now hooked! One of the problems of rheumatoid arthritis is that you can't do any sports that put pressure on your joints when the RA is active, and Tai Chi is just a perfect alternative. I certainly feel that I've stretched and moved all my joints by the end of a class, but more importantly, I've also learned how to balance better. Our teacher, Steve Price, is very good at helping us all to push ourselves far enough, but not too far.
At the AGM today I talked to a number of fellow arthritis patients about our constant struggle with endless types of medication and our creaky joints. We laughed together over cups of tea and excellent cakes. The art group had a display of their work: two years ago some of them could barely hold paintbrushes, now they are producing accomplished work.
I came away from the AGM feeling that this is a group whose name sums up what they do: the care that the volunteers and members give each other provides real support for those living with arthritis (in whatever form). Marion, Valerie and John are the key officers who manage it all with a host of other volunteers. Thank you to all of them from this person living with RA who benefits from your help!
