Program Will Offer Help Coping With Arthritis/

By DAWN ZERA For the Times Leader
Sunday, July 10, 2005 Page: 3A

The Arthritis Foundation will host a health and wellness symposium called
“Celebrate Women – Celebrate Life!” from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the
Woodlands Inn and Resort.

The program includes presentations by doctors on topics including
“Exercise: the Arthritis Pain Reliever,” “Sleep Disorders and Chronic Pain”
and “Fibromyalgia: What You Need to Know.”
Leigh Ann Wiedlich, the Arthritis Foundation’s regional health educator,
said the symposium is open to men and women from all age groups who are
interested in learning more about the disease.

“People are becoming more aware that arthritis is not just a senior
problem,” she said. “When they hear it even affects children, they are
shocked.”

Sixty percent of those who suffer from arthritis are female. Wiedlich’s
aunt, Karen Wiedlich, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 25 years ago at
age 33. At the time, she thought she was just tired and perhaps pregnant.
Since then, she’s had eight operations on her joints and takes medication to
help her deal with the pain. Although she has a full-time job, the pain is
often debilitating – particularly in the summer humidity.

“For instance, this morning I was exhausted with pain before even getting
out of bed, and I literally was hanging on things to get out of bed,” she
said. Sometimes, she has to run warm water over her hands for several minutes
in the morning and her husband helps her dress.

She stays active through the Arthritis Foundation’s swim class, and plans
to take a friend to the symposium this year.

“They bring out things that sometimes your doctor has not given you, new
information,” Karen Wiedlich said. “If it weren’t for the support and programs
like the Arthritis Foundation, I would not have made it this far.”

“Celebrate Women – Celebrate Life!”

* 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

* Woodlands Inn and Resort, Route 315, Plains Township

* Preregistration for the event is strongly encouraged. Those who register
by tomorrow pay $15 for a single ticket; $20 for a double. After tomorrow, the
cost is $20 for a single; $25 for a double.

* For more information, call 823-2888.