October 15 12:00 – 1:00pm ET | Register here

What helps you keep doing the things you love while living with arthritis or another chronic condition?

Join CAPA, Psoriasis Canada, the Fibromyalgia Association of Canada and Lupus Ontario for a conversation about making space for joy. Our panelists will share their experiences, practical tools and ideas from across our communities that help people keep doing what matters to them.

Have a question for the panel? Share it when you register—your questions will help shape the conversation.

French closed captioning will be available. The session will be recorded and posted online afterward.

Funded by EULAR.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Lene — pronounced Lena — Andersen has lived with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis since childhood. This was back in the time before there was effective treatment and she started using a wheelchair at age 16. Thanks to good meds finally being developed, she is now in remission and lives her life with joy. Lene is an award-winning writer of books that centre the lived experience of chronic illness, as well as health and disability advocate and photographer. She lives in Toronto with a pack of cats and too many books.

With over 20 years of dedicated nursing experience, Kim has become a valuable support for patients living with psoriasis and other auto-immune and inflammatory conditions. Her journey in healthcare began with a passion for patient care and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by chronic conditions. Her extensive career has been marked by her dedication to patient advocacy. As a Pso/Psa patient and mother to a child with severe Eczema she has a unique perspective from both sides of the curtain. Having navigated the journey for herself, her son and many patients over the years she understands the art of advocating for what you need. 

Trudy is a founding member of Fibromyalgia Association Canada (FAC), a nationwide organization led by people with fibromyalgia for people with fibromyalgia, where she currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. Trudy is a medically retired nurse who has lived with fibromyalgia for over 30 years and whose daughter developed fibromyalgia at the age of 8. She draws on her lived experience with fibromyalgia to help others navigate the challenges of widespread pain, cognitive issues (brain fog), and fatigue.

Her work exemplifies the integration of lived experience, clinical insight, and patient partnership to advance research, education, and supportive care for people living with chronic conditions. Through her work with FAC, Trudy also brings awareness to the intersection between fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions, including arthritis.

In her spare time, Trudy enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, biking, gardening, and walking her dog, Walter.

I have been asked what brings me joy. Helping people and giving back.  I am all about helping family and friends. Looking over my life, my dash is selflessness. Putting things ahead of myself, my journey has pivoted in the last five years. What an eye opening thing to do, 

I’ve been learning to focus on my recovery and managing my many illnesses. Every day I do one thing for myself (self-care). I am stronger, healthier, braver for it all.  This is all new to me, but I am loving every minute of it.  If I can take what I have learned about my health, I will share it with Grace and kindness.  My joy has evolved over the years, but the one thread throughout is giving back.

Thank you. Be kind to yourself Anna.