2024 President’s Message

It’s amazing to me that another full year has passed since I wrote last year’s message. Time goes by quickly and I hope you have managed to carve out some time for self-care! 2023 was a productive year for CAPA; Anna Samson has taken on our social media posts and developed this fantastic infographic showcasing some highlights from the past year. Our newly trained patient partners are taking on exciting research opportunities and we are set to work with an expanded group of patients in 2024. We are expanding our community engagement to those beyond our small but mighty Board and invited some new faces to our annual strategic planning meeting in November getting some new and diverse perspectives. Our work with McMaster University’s Occupational Therapy (OT) students is a resounding success with Bella Cairns developing some great resources with the help of people living with arthritis – this is something we plan to repeat in 2024 with new OT students.

I recently joined a Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group on Facebook and it’s very clear to me that there is still so much work to be done! In a world with so much conflict, living with the threat of the effects of climate change; wildfires, floods, and severe storms, it’s difficult not to feel overwhelmed, discouraged and stressed.

I’ll end my new year’s message where I began – find time for self-care, whether it’s going for a walk every day, dancing (as best you can, no one’s watching and even if they are, who cares?). Listen to music you love, read a good book, watch a funny movie, or take a nap. Find something you love and make time during your day to take care of you!

❤️

Linda Wilhelm

President

Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance