STAYING MOVING, STAYING STRONG

“There’s nothing out there for Community… and that's why, you know, I'm interested in doing these things to get more information out to Community”

– 66 year old, Yorta Yorta woman, living with osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

This website was created to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their families and communities to understand more about arthritis and to stay strong while living with arthritis. 

The website can also support health staff such as Aboriginal Health Practitioners, nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and others who work with Aboriginal peoples with arthritis.

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Arthritis is a word for a number of different conditions which affect the joints, muscles, bones and other parts of the body. All arthritis conditions can impact on your body, mind and spirit.

There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis. The most common types are:

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Gout

  • Lupus (also called systemic lupus erythematosus – SLE)

It is important you understand what kind of arthritis you have because how you look after each type is different.

There is a lot that you can do to live well and stay strong with arthritis.

LIVING WITH ARTHRITIS

“I find doing the exercise helps relieve that pain” - Marion

“I believe if you know better, you do better” - Debbie

“I weave with recycled materials, that’s what my passion is; I don't want to lose the ability to do those things” - Janet

“Keeping the muscles strong around the joints, that actually helps” - Thomas

“I've learnt to manage my Lupus.. I had to change my diet, I'm more active than I was years ago and I'm on medication” - Leanne

“Education is important. Understanding what the symptoms are, and what you can do about it” - Adrian