Leading an active and healthy life can be a challenge in itself, let alone living with a chronic condition such as Rheumatoid and Musculoskeletal Disease (RMD). Gaining knowledge about RMD and the skills necessary to live with such a chronic condition is essential to overcome the obstacles and live life to the full.
For the past eight years since the Arthritis and Rheumatism Association Malta (ARAM) was set up, we have dedicated our time and energy to enhancing our members’ lives, focusing primarily on education.
Education is the tool to master one’s condition. The association organises monthly seminars for members on various topics to empower them to achieve better control of their condition. They learn how to recognise and deal with both non-serious and serious symptoms and how to realise when they need immediate advice.
Education is the tool to master one’s condition
They learn how to manage their pain and about the importance of exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Experience has shown us that self-management courses are a must for people suffering from RMDs. We first heard about these programmes during a EULAR Pare Conference organised by Arthritis Ireland. This conference is an annual meeting for people with arthritis/rheumatism in Europe.
These courses are designed especially for small groups of 10-12 participants, taught by two trained lay trainers and are subject to quality assurance. As a member of Agora (a platform of organisations of people with rheumatic diseases in southern Europe), ARAM was offered a Train the Trainer course in Amsterdam in February 2014, which showed how these self-management programmes could be modified and implemented in each country.
ARAM collaborated with a consultant from the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate and adapted these courses for the Maltese public.
The outcome was the six-session Kors ħajja aħjar – Kif nieħu ħsieb tiegħi nnifsi (a course for better life – how to deal with my condition). The first course, held between April and June 2014 ,was well received by the 11 participants who described it as a very positive experience.
The work of the association is ongoing and it works closely with the Rheumatology Department at Mater Dei Hospital and the Malta College of Family Doctors.
A smile on a member’s face is enough to motivate the association to be more creative and innovative and take on new endeavours for the common good of its members.
For more information, call 9925 9532, send an e-mail to aramalta@gmail.com or write to ARAM, P.O.Box 55, Birkirkara.
Mary Vella is the president of the Arthritis and Rheumatoid Association Malta.