Arthritis support a lifeline

By Denise Piper - Whangarei Leader

Morningside mother-of-two Evelyn Sutherland does not know where she would be without Arthritis NZ Northern Region.

The foundation has been a lifeline for Evelyn as she copes with severe rheumatoid arthritis along with other illnesses in her family, and she urges people to be generous during Arthritis Appeal Week.

A recent study on muscle and joint conditions found musculoskeletal disorders affect one in four New Zealanders and cost the country more than $5.5 billion a year.

Morningside mother-of-two Evelyn Sutherland does not know where she would be without Arthritis NZ Northern Region.

The foundation has been a lifeline for Evelyn as she copes with severe rheumatoid arthritis along with other illnesses in her family, and she urges people to be generous during Arthritis Appeal Week.

A recent study on muscle and joint conditions found musculoskeletal disorders affect one in four New Zealanders and cost the country more than $5.5 billion a year.

Evelyn was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis about two years ago when she was pregnant with son Kaine.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease where joints become painfully inflamed.

Evelyn says she wasn’t surprised with the diagnosis because it can be hereditary and is in her family. She had

been in pain for a number of years.

But to be told that she had a disability which would never be cured was quite a shock.

“I was quite distressed because you see so many older people in wheelchairs with crippled hands and I didn’t want to be like that - I’ve still got a life to live.”

Evelyn approached Arthritis NZ Northern Region initially for information about the disease and now stays involved with the support groups.

Having two young children, aged 18 months and five years, is difficult with arthritis, says Evelyn.

Jobs like changing nappies and securing buttons are difficult and painful, and she gets in-home help to bath Kaine and do basic housework.

Kaine has chondrodysplasia punctata - a very rare form of dwarfism which means he also has health issues and will need operations in the future.

But Evelyn’s greatest struggle came when husband Craig suffered from renal cancer and had a kidney removed.

“He was my rock, my mountain, with my arthritis and then I had to turn around and be the support person for him, which was really hard with my problems.”

Craig is now recovering but the foundation was there to support the whole way, she says.

Evelyn now hopes a newly subsidised drug, Humira, will help improve her arthritis.

Each day is different with pain and fatigue, she says.

Evelyn still manages to work as a sale rep and tries to keep active, including walking and hydrotherapy.

“I make the effort when I’m feeling well enough.”

Arthritis NZ Northern Branch helps arthritis sufferers with personal education, seminars, hydrotherapy and exercise classes, and support groups.

A street collection will be held for Arthritis Appeal Week, September 25 to October 2, with money staying in Northland.

For more information call 438-3741 or go to http://www.arthritis.org.nz. or find out what services are available in Northland here.