Thank you Jetstar for an amazing opportunity to be at the 2013 Arthritis NZ Conference – read more here about Jetstars generous support. JetStar support gets world leading personal trainer to 2013 Arthritis NZ conference

What a delight it was to speak with Sandra Kirby (CEO) of Arthritis NZ at the 2013 conference in Auckland this weekend. As she put it she was gathering her generals to gather troops and I was proud to be her General Cate for raising Awareness of arthritis. This was the second year the conference was open to the public. With over 220 people attending it was fantastic to be a part of the day. I spoke on raising awareness of arthritis and helping others to celebrate what we do have not just what we have lost or are unable to do. Arthritis of all forms (over 140) is poorly supported for funding because it is not fatal. Sadly many people have reduced quality of life and live in pain because of “just having arthritis” for the young it can take up to two years of anxiousness, fear, pain and testing before a diagnosis is found. For those older and mature adults, just having arthritis is almost “a given of being old”. We want this not to be the case. It is not ok to live in pain. Join the fight to raise awareness and work collaboratively to help the burden that arthritis has on patients, carers, family, friends and the wider community. For more on how to help check out Arthritis NZ