The Arthritis Foundation Coping & Education Support Group provides:

• a continuing source of support
• an opportunity to verbalize feelings, concerns and problems related to rheumatic diseases
• social interaction, which helps decrease members' sense of isolation
• educational activities presented by guest medical experts
• an opportunity to share experiences and expertise gained from successfully coping with rheumatic disease, fostering mutual help
• positive role models who encourage and reinforce desired changes in lifestyle and positive changes in attitude about oneself, arthritis and self-help
• encouragement to members to help others and in turn, help themselves\reinforcement and encouragement of individual self-esteem, self-determination and self-efficacy
• opportunities to stress the importance of finding satisfaction in life activities despite some limitations caused by arthritis

UPCOMING MEETING TOPICS:
February     Managing the Pain of Arthritis - Dr. Faris Abusharif from The Pain Centers of Illinois
March         The Eight Best Things You Can Do To Help Your Arthritis
April            The Importance of Exercise - Maureen Gecht, Patient Educator, University of Illinois at Chicago
May             The Patient / Physician Encounter

The Orland Township Arthritis Coping & Education Support Group meets
on the 3rd Thursday of each month in the Orland Township Activity Center
15100 S. 94th Ave., Orland Park, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.