I’ve had the opportunity to meet people across the state of Montana over the past few months, from Helena to Billings, and Butte to the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning and many places in between. I’ve been very inspired by the people I’ve met and the stories I’ve heard. I listened to a woman from Helena who told me that the Arthritis Foundation’s exercise class is a big reason why she is still able to walk in her early 90’s; I talked to a Rheumatologist who talked about how beneficial the Arthritis Foundation’s support groups have been for his patients; A woman in Butte talked about her brother and how his local chapter had given them both information about nutrition that made a huge difference in his life.

All of theses stories and more really solidify the good work the Arthritis Foundation does for people with arthritis as well as for family members of people with arthritis. I’m excited to continue this work here in Montana and work on expanding the number of people we can reach and help. I look forward to expanding our Exercise and Aquatic classes to more communities across this big state and being a resource for people around the state. I encourage folks here in Montana to give me a call at 406.461.8368 to talk about ways the Arthritis Foundation, Rocky Mountain Chapter can help serve your needs.

Healtcare

Healthcare reform is a very hot topic now all across the country. The Arthritis Foundation recently released a position statement (see below) that lists priorities to be included in any new legislation. As I reviewed these, I thought about all of the people who contact us looking for help with prescriptions, medical equipment, insurance premiums and many other medical costs and how we wish there were more resources for all of these important needs. This is a good time to let your legislators know about some of the issues that you face as a person with arthritis or as a family member or caregiver for someone with arthritis. It really does matter when people call or email their representative and tell their personal story. The Arthritis Foundation has an easy way for people to become involved in advocacy efforts. You can become an e-advocate by only dedicating an hour or less a month. An Arthritis Ambassador commits to two hours a month of advocacy efforts and might do things like write a letter to their newspaper or try to meet in person with a legislator. You can join a network of thousands of people across the country who do make a difference. There is power in numbers! For more information about how to join these efforts go to: www.arthritis/org/inside-advocacy.php or call me, Kathy Jensen, at 303-756-8622 ext. 229.

Vacations!

Vacations are great! They give us an opportunity to relax, refresh, and recharge. Last week I visited the beach for the first time in many, many years.

One day while I sat on the beach watching children and “adult children” running into and away from the waves I noticed a small boy building a sand castle. He had been very careful to make sure the waves would not reach it. He began with a small mound of sand and slowly added to it. As his brothers ran by him into the waves, he smiled and waved but kept at his work. Slowly he completed his castle. Then he started on another small mound. His mother came to sit beside him and commented on his lovely house. But he told her he wasn’t finished, he wanted to build a city before he left the beach. After watching him for a while she began helping him, then his brothers joined them, and then other people stopped by to lend a hand. Slowly and carefully his city was completed. When he and his family were leaving I heard them talking together and he remarked that he could have built the whole thing alone but it was so much bigger and better and a lot more fun when everyone helped.

And that is the picture of the work of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. We have some big goals and some good plans. We can and will accomplish those goals when we work steadily and get more and more people involved. It is a worthwhile challenge.

Summer Time

It is officially summer here at the Rocky Mountain Chapter and the temps have spurred outdoor fun and activities both in our work and personal lives.

We start off the summer with a HUGE thank you to our volunteers. We are holding a BBQ and picnic on the evening of June 24th to recognize and to thank the many people who support and assist us with our governance, programs and special events. We have had the pleasure of working with many terrific volunteers. They are passionate about the mission! We also manage to have some fun along the way.

Other significant summer events include our Juvenile Arthritis Camp in Estes Park the week of July 19th and our Annual Membership Meeting the evening of August 18th. We are also putting together a kick-ball tourney for the young AND older adults out there in Denver. Come join us for one or all. Information is posted on the website.

Here’s hoping we will see you soon and that you have a safe and fun-filled summer.

May is over

Hard to believe that May has already come and gone. What a fantastic month for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the AF! Our two walks featured so many wonderful people out to raise money for a great cause, including the many who braved the chill, rain and sleet in Colorado Springs on May 2. The Denver walk on May 17 saw over 1,000 people in attendance – a definite record! Both events were preceded by the Evening of Honors Gala, a great night during which we honored some very worthwhile individuals and treated the hundreds of people in the audience to a night of joyous celebration and entertainment, featuring sports icon Roy Firestone. It is humbling to witness the many individuals who, despite the challenges of the economy, continue to give and support our very important mission. The need continues unabated, and though we sometimes struggle to make everything work, we know we do it all for a good cause – the 46 million people living with the challenges of arthritis. Great things await us this year, and we remain optimistic that we will continue to be able to serve the people of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana who so desperately need our programs, research and support.

THINGS ARE GROWING!

At last the time of year when rain and sunshine helps to get everything outside turning green and growing. This also makes it better to get out and exercise those limbs and muscles. If any question on how much and what type of exercise, the Arthritis Foundation can provide some information to help you. Listen to you body on what you can actually do and should not do. I try to make the best use of my time during the summer to get some sunshine and exercise (Golf, yard work, walking) are some of things that I am looking forward to.

It has been very rewarding to me over the past few months to listen to people talk in an upbeat and positive way about how they are handling their arthritis. We are having a picnic for all the great volunteers that help us in the office and at all of our events on Wednesday June 24th. I and the staff look forward to this time to say thanks and visit with everyone that can share this time with us.

New Experiences!

Every day life brings us new challenges to conquer and those living with arthritis are no exception. On Saturday, June 6th the Southern Colorado Office of the Arthritis Foundation will present an Arthritis Answers Education Day. Our goal is to help you conquer those challenges. There are three speakers, each addressing a different health challenges from eating well and healing ourselves from the inside out to an OA update while discussing arthritis of the foot and ankle as it relates to gout. Our host for this event is The Palisades at Broadmoor Court.

The Southern Colorado office moved this week and you can find us now located within ViewPointe Retirement Community. The address is 555 S. Rockrimmon Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80919. Challenges were conquered! The staff and residents have been wonderful to us in getting settled in our new home. As you enter, you will probably be greeted by their 4- legged ambassador, Tucker, while classical music plays. A very sweet group of retirees playing bridge or sitting by the fire. A charming place to be. New friends!