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Arthritis Association of LouisianaOffering Hope to People With ArthritisArthritis Association of Louisiana provides education and support to adults and children in pain
Arthritis Association of Louisiana
By some estimates, as many as 250,000 people forced to evacuate south Louisiana are now living in metropolitan Baton Rouge. This influx of evacuees means more services are required to assist people with one of the more than 100 forms of arthritis, especially those displaced by a horrendous natural disaster. "If it's not bad enough to lose your home and all your worldly possessions, having to deal with arthritis with little or no treatment can take a severe toll," says Karen Kennedy, president and CEO of the Arthritis Association of Louisiana (AAOLA).
In the past two years, the AAOLA - formerly known as the Arthritis Alliance of Louisiana has undergone major changes in its affiliation with a national arthritis organization. In spite of several name changes, the organization's mission has remained constant. "Our new name and logo represent our commitment to keeping 100 percent of the dollars we raise here in Louisiana, for the only statewide and local nonprofit serving arthritis patients," says John Hightower, chairman of the AAOLA board of directors. The group's new logo shows an open hand symbolizing outreach and hope. "The new identity also better represents who we are and what we do," Hightower says. He explains that the AAOLA leadership two years ago chose to disaffiliate the local group with the national Arthritis Foundation, based in Atlanta. "That organization kept far too great a percentage of Louisiana residents' contributions for programs and services that did not benefit us," says Hightower. "Today, 100 percent of the money raised in the state by the AAOLA stays here and serves those Louisianans most in need."
"Many arthritis patients left their homes in such a hurry they forgot or lost their orthopedic devices, special footwear, and most devastating, their prescriptions," Hightower says. "We provided replacements where possible, assistance and contact information to help with these items. "We have been able to help hundreds of patients," Hightower says. "We have tried to bring as much relief and comfort as possible, with our limited resources, to both young and old displaced residents." Hightower emphasized that the organization's work with hurricane victims is not over, as many evacuees still need help contacting their rheumatologists or finding new doctors. And the group has continued to provide its regular day-to-day services for all arthritis patients as well. The AAOLA provides free information on arthritis and related diseases, a loan closet of medical equipment for patients, a lending library of books and videos on arthritis, support groups, a list of rheumatologists (doctors specializing in arthritis) statewide, information on exercise programs available statewide, staff members and volunteers available to speak to community groups, support for research, and a website with local contacts and events at www.aaola.org. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 70 million Americans - or one in three - suffer from arthritis and/or chronic joint symptoms. More than 1 million of those are in Louisiana. The Arthritis Association of Louisiana is the only local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives through continuing community service, education and support of research for arthritis and related diseases. For more information, call the office at (225) 761-8230 or visit www.aaola.org.
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Kennedy says that one in three Louisianan adults suffers from arthritis and/or chronic joint symptoms. "We have seen hundreds of displaced individuals whose routine, medicine and therapy to deal with this often-debilitating ailment have been severely affected," she says. "Many of the traditional resources are just not available or functioning. We are the last line of help to many - we are out helping in the shelters and in the community."
Soon after hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast, the AAOLA was visiting Baton Rouge-area shelters to assess evacuees' needs, Hightower says. Volunteer medical professionals conducted arthritis workshops in several shelters, and the AAOLA provided inflatable air mattresses or "egg crate" foam mattress pads to patients with severe arthritis who were sleeping on cots. The group arranged for medical transportation to doctors' offices, hospitals or infusion clinics for treatment that could not be provided at the shelters.
