December 2019 Newsletter Issue Number 2
December 2019 Newsletter Issue Number 2
Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta
P O Box 55 Birkirkara Malta
www.aramalta.com
Tel Nr: +35699259532
Email: aramalta@gmail.com
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Twitter: @ArthritisMalta
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Dear Reader
We are pleased to issue our second half-yearly newsletter for 2019.
In this edition you will find an overview of some of the activities held during the last six months, giving a special mention to our events organised for our members.
As an association, we organise as many activities as possible for our members with special emphasis and highlight to regular exercise and an active lifestyle coupled with educational events in favour of a healthy Mediterranean diet and hygiene tips. For the first time in collaboration with Dar Kenn għal Sahhtek, and funded by the Small Initiatives Scheme, (Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector) a five-week programme was organised. Also in July, our members had the opportunity to attend a live-in, wherein a very full programme was offered to all who attended. In Summer ARAM Executive Committee members were busy working on diverse initiatives, also following up on the success of our participation in the European Week for Waste Reduction last year, ARAM is committed to continuing creating awareness about the proper disposal of medicinal waste. In October, World Arthritis Day was commemorated on the 21st October 2019 through a half-day conference held at Malta Parliament House. ARAM was honoured to host PARE President Mr Dieter Wiek to address this conference together with other key speakers whose contribution was greatly appreciated and fruitful. The EULAR Standing Committee of PARE gathers representatives of rheumatic and musculoskeletal user groups around Europe to work together towards improving the quality of life for the more than 120 million people in Europe living with these conditions. The committee’s vision is of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in Europe being empowered to lead full and independent lives. The last event for the year was held at the Mdina Museum Cathedral, a visit to the Neapolitan crib at the Mdina Cathedral followed by a light lunch together in Rabat.
Please save the date for our next General Annual Meeting on the 31st March 2020 to be held at Hilltop Gardens, Naxxar. More information to follow.
Enjoy reading!
Mary Vella
President, Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta
The Personal Training and Healthy Eating Program: July 12th – August 9th 2019
This five-week programme was open to ARAM members on a voluntary basis, wherein a Physiotherapist developed and guided applicants through an exercise programme individually suited for every participant. A fitness evaluation assessment was mandatory before enrolment and a Lifestyle Questionnaire and health history including total disclosure of any prescribed medication were necessary. Every participant needed to obtain one’s physician’s permission to participate in the programme. Each weekly session lasted two hours, commencing with exercises on gym equipment held at the venue’s facilities for the first hour, followed by a professional nutritionist’s lecture about the recommended diet for persons living with Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases.
Testimony was written by Mrs Phyllis Camilleri, an ARAM member
ARAM Annual Live In Lunzjata Retreat House, Rabat, Malta
The live-In kicked off on 12th July 2019 at 4.30 pm and came to an end on the 14th July 2019. The programme for this weekend included a talk delivered by Mr Michael Dalmas B Pharm about Emotional Healing and Bach Flower Remedy System, a talk delivered by Ms Nathalie Muschamp, co-ordinator of dance therapy at Stepping up for Parkinsons, as well as a talk delivered by an official from Social Services about pensions, social support, etc. Also on the agenda was a very interesting talk delivered by Petra Spiteri, entitled Mindfulness and Adult Health. ARAM also screened two videos, namely Restless Lives, managing fatigue, sleep and pain and another video about managing Arthritis, the latter is a production of European League against Rheumatism.
During the live-in participants were encouraged to take short country walks in line with the vision that ARAM constantly advocates for an active lifestyle.
This project has been funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector on behalf of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sports and Voluntary Organisations within the Ministry for Education and Employment”. This project/publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MEDE and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein”
World Arthritis Day 2019 Malta: Don’t Delay Connect Today, Time2Work
The Arthritis and Rheumatism Association of Malta (ARAM) organised a national conference in Malta based on the EULAR ‘Time2Work’ campaign for 2019 which aims to raise more awareness on the importance of entering and staying in the place of work. The conference also discussed possible stumbling blocks with a view that these barriers will be discussed at the policy level to bring about the necessary improvements. This campaign aims to normalise work, to encourage persons suffering from RMD’s to seek employment and/or stay in employment, not to take on the sick role. The objectives include discussing what barriers interfere with peoples’ choice in work, working towards diminishing such barriers and above all, initiating a national discussion with the employers’ associations, unions and patients’ organizations on the best way forward. One of the patients Roderick Agius recalled how 6 years go, he was diagnosed with Psoriasis, which then developed into Psoriatic Arthritis. He explained that pain in his hand joints, wrists, knees and shoulders is constant and does not go away. Furthermore, he added that the discomfort created by society is sometimes greater than the physical one. “I don’t want people to pity me. All I want is that society is not conditioned by my situation”. Mr Agius argued that workers who suffer from arthritis, like him, deserve better working conditions without the need for begging. He recalled how every morning he needs to climb up 28 high steps to reach his office where he works, notwithstanding the pain and fatigue. Professor Andrew A. Borg DM(Manch.) MD DMed.Rehab(L) FRCP FACR CCT(UK)(Rheum.), Head, Rheumatology Service, Mater Dei Hospital and Chairman Government Formulary List Advisory Committee Head, Rheumatology Service, Mater Dei Hospital, crushed the myth that only elderly persons suffer from arthritis. He said that there is even a 3-month old baby that is being treated for Juvenile Arthritis. He stressed the importance that patients undergo early treatment so that they can live a normal life. However, Prof Borg said the main challenge is the high price of effective medicines. The President of ARAM, Mary Vella, said that there are around 60,000 Maltese people that suffer from arthritis. She explained that arthritis consists of 200 different types, with the most common are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is the worst condition of them all. It is a life-long and a life-threatening condition and if not taken care of, can cause serious consequences to internal organs and complications by causing deformities and physical impairment. The Vice-President of ARAM, Sina Bugeja, said that a survey conducted among patients showed that there are people who are trying to learn how to live with pain because they cannot afford treatment, with the average expense being €200 per month. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Anġlu Farrugia, thanked ARAM for its sterling work in contributing to raising more awareness about Arthritis in Malta. He said that ARAM serves as a bridge of information for the public in general and even for those patients of arthritis who are suffering in silence. The national conference served as a platform for people that suffer from Arthritis and RMD’s to share their story publicly to break the barriers and raise more awareness about their difficulties in their daily routine especially at the place of work.
Present during the conference, the Vice-President of EULAR, Dieter Wiek, as well as trade unions that represent workers and employer and other groups from civil society including the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD).
Members of Parliament Hon Maria Deguara, Hon Stephen Spiteri and Hon Silvio Grixti also shared their thoughts during the national conference. Maltese MEPs serving at the European Parliament namely Hon Alex Agius Saliba, Hon Miriam Dalli, Hon Roberta Metsola and Hon Alfred Sant sounded their thoughts recorded messages.
Educational and cultural outing to Mdina in December 2019
An educational and cultural outing to the traditional Neapolitan crib featuring a collection of 18th-century crèche figurines on display at the Mdina Cathedral, Malta. Mons Edgar Vella, in my opinion, a walking encyclopedia, captured our attention with his detailed account about the history of this crib. It features 222 figurines in traditional period costumes of the different regions of the kingdom of Carlo III, king of the Bourbons. The figurines were manufactured and compiled over 25 years. The various episodes in this crib include the Mistero, which portrays the nativity of Jesus, together with Mary and Joseph, surmounted by the star of Bethlehem and a myriad of angels. This scene is complemented by the adoration of the shepherds and the Magi, with an entourage of exotic oriental characters that add to the opulence of the central episode. This cultural and educational event organised by ARAM was enjoyed by all who attended. Afterwards, ARAM members visited the Cathedral Museum, yet another jewel in the Old City Mdina. Thanks, Mons Edgar Vella, and the Curator and staff at the impeccable Museum.
The Editor hopes you have enjoyed this newsletter, look out for our next edition due in June 2020
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