Five inspirational arthritis advocates are the focus of National Arthritis Week 2023, with two Kilkenny ambassadors

During National Arthritis Week, which takes place April 24 to 30, Arthritis Ireland is raising awareness of this chronic condition which affects one in five people in Ireland. The week-long campaign will focus on five inspirational individuals who live with arthritis and who champion and advocate for self-management and have fought back against the devastating effects of this condition.

Mary Hughes and Siobhán Donohoe who both live in Kilkenny have shared their stories, not just to create awareness of the signs and symptoms of arthritis but also to highlight the supports and services available to enable those living with arthritis to improve their quality of life.

Mary Hughes from Kilkenny is one of the advocates this National Arthritis Week, April 24 - 30

Mary was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her forties and while her condition brings many ups and downs, Mary feels that she is lucky to be able to draw on the self-management tools that she learned through the Living Well with Arthritis programme that is run by Arthritis Ireland. When Mary is not delivering the Living Well with Arthritis programme to help others with this condition in her community, she spends time with her local mountain walking club and cycling. Mary says ‘I am delighted to have two trekking poles which give me extra support and relieves some of the weight on my knees. I might not be scaling my former dizzy heights or rock-climbing, but I enjoy the great outdoors. We can help ourselves by understanding and managing our health conditions’.

Kilkenny People's Siobhan Donohoe is also one of the faces for the National Arthritis Week

Siobhán was diagnosed at the age of 38 with psoriatic arthritis, a condition that affects both the joints and skin. Siobhán credits exercise, diet, and ground-breaking medication for giving her back a great quality of life. Shortly after her diagnosis and receiving medical treatment, Siobhán spent two weeks in rehab in Our Lady’s Hospice at Harold's Cross where they taught her about the power of movement and exercise. She says ‘When I was first diagnosed, my joints were so sore and swollen that my husband had to cut my food up for me, driving wasn't any option, my skin was cracked and inflamed with psoriasis and the fatigue was unbearable. There is no magic cure for this life-long chronic disease, but you can't curl up into a ball and let it beat you’.

Arthritis Ireland equips those with arthritis with the tools and techniques to manage their condition, for example by incorporating pain management techniques, starting or improving an exercise regime, managing their mental health and setting and achieving goals. Arthritis Ireland also runs a dedicated helpline service and referral programme to provide emotional support and guidance not only to those that are newly diagnosed but anyone who is experiencing challenges in the day-to-day management of their condition.

Read our five inspirational arthritis advocates stories here: https://www.arthritisireland.ie/national-arthritis-week-2023

Further information about National Arthritis Week is available on the charity’s website at www.arthritisireland.ie.