This year's theme for World Arthritis Day is 'the small things which matter.' Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and disabling autoimmune disease which affects around 387,000 people of all ages in England and Wales. There are almost 12,000 new cases every year, and approximately 12,000 children under the age of 16 have the juvenile form of the disease. Those living with the condition experience a lot of pain which can contribute to feelings of isolation, stress and depression. People with RA often struggle to do everyday tasks like getting around the home, travelling, shopping and looking after children - activities which most people take for granted.
Speaking at an event organised by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, Annette Brooke MP said:
'The small things in life really do matter but, for people with rheumatoid arthritis, even the most mundane of activities can be turned into Everyday Everests.
'It is important that we use the opportunity of World Arthritis Day to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by the half million people in the UK with this disease.
'Having met with patients, charities and clinicians, I am more convinced than ever that we must take action to help people with rheumatoid arthritis. We can start by raising awareness of this debilitating condition, promoting greater understanding amongst all healthcare professionals and the public about signs and symptoms, as well as the steps which can be taken to enable those with RA to enjoy a better quality of life.'
Ailsa Bosworth, Chief Executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, said:
Bookmark this story at:
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
reddit
StumbleUpon
Print this news story.
Comment on this news story.
Previous news story: Local MP Annette Brooke calls on the Government to face up to its NHS waste (Tue 11th Sep 2007).
Next news story: Annette Brooke supports the 'Be Carbon Monoxide Aware' campaign (Mon 22nd Oct 2007).
Related News Stories:
Fri 4th Jul 2008:
ANNETTE BROOKE BACKS END CHILD POVERTY CAMPAIGN.
Wed 18th Jun 2008:
Annette Brooke MP, signing the Anne Frank Declaration.
Wed 4th Jun 2008:
Annette Brooke MP visits Microfinance projects in Bangladesh .
Thu 8th May 2008:
Annette Brooke MP challenges Minister over Green Belt.
Mon 28th Apr 2008:
Annette Brooke MP supporting premature baby charity Bliss.
Thu 24th Apr 2008:
Annette Brooke MP backs Diabetes UK's call to inconsistent NHS .
Mon 31st Mar 2008:
Annette Brooke MP condemns under-funding of concessionary bus fares .
Thu 28th Feb 2008:
Annette Brooke MP backs the campaign Three Small Steps to Protect Child Victims of Trafficking.
Tue 26th Feb 2008:
Annette Brooke MP reacts to the commercialisation of childhood .
Thu 21st Feb 2008:
NCH young person gets a taste of parliamentary life with Annette Brooke MP at Westminster .
Tue 19th Feb 2008:
Annette Brooke MP challenges groups in Mid Dorset and North Poole to think green .
Tue 5th Feb 2008:
Annette Brooke MP welcomes the launch of the Post Office® Christmas Club .
Fri 25th Jan 2008:
Annette Brooke MP gives healthy living her vote of approval .
Thu 24th Jan 2008:
Annette Brooke MP marks Holocaust Memorial Day .
Annette Brooke MP reaction to Blue Badge Consultation.
Tue 15th Jan 2008:
ANNETTE BROOKE MP CALLS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE TO PROMOTE SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS .
Mon 14th Jan 2008:
ANNETTE BROOKE MP CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO END DISABILITY POVERTY .
Tue 18th Dec 2007:
Annette Brooke MP pledges support to improve care for hip fracture patients and save local NHS £millions.
Wed 5th Dec 2007:
Annette Brooke MP calls for improved sex education .
Tue 4th Dec 2007:
Annette Brooke MP warns against Christmas clothing collection con.
Annette Brooke MP Backs National Campaign For Warm Homes .
Thu 1st Nov 2007:
Annette Brooke MP visit to Malawi.
Mon 22nd Oct 2007:
Annette Brooke supports the 'Be Carbon Monoxide Aware' campaign .
Annette Brooke MP supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Mon 15th Oct 2007:
Annette Brooke MP gives support to rheumatoid arthritis sufferers .
Tue 11th Sep 2007:
Local MP Annette Brooke calls on the Government to face up to its NHS waste.
Wed 29th Aug 2007:
Annette Brooke MP launches online youth survey.
Tue 21st Aug 2007:
Mid Dorset MP Annette Brooke calls for better bus services.
Mon 13th Aug 2007:
Annette Brooke achieves some success for the future of Remploy in Poole.
Fri 27th Jul 2007:
Annette Brooke MP calls for a new ambition for stroke in Mid Dorset & North Poole .
Tue 17th Jul 2007:
Annette Brooke MP welcomes accessibility of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Wed 11th Jul 2007:
Annette Brooke MP joins the fight against muscle disease .
Tue 19th Jun 2007:
Annette Brooke MP welcomes review on health visitor role .
Thu 14th Jun 2007:
Annette Brooke MP delighted at plans for 'Right to breastfeed' law .
Annette Brooke MP in Remploy plea.
Thu 24th May 2007:
ANNETTE BROOKE MP TAKES 'CAMPAIGN TO READ' TO THE PRIME MINISTER.
ANNETTE BROOKE MP SIGNS UP TO THE WORLD CAN'T WAIT - YOUR VOICE AGAINST POVERTY CAMPAIGN.
Wed 23rd May 2007:
Devil in the detail of planning white paper - Annette Brooke MP.
Fri 18th May 2007:
Annette Brooke MP Joins Jemima Khan at the Launch of The Breastfeeding Manifesto.
Thu 17th May 2007:
Post Office plans another blow to Dorset communities - Annette Brooke.
Annette Brooke MP calls on Government not to take Council Powers on new Superstores.
Fri 11th May 2007:
Annette Brooke MP joins search to find the missing millions with killer disease.
Fri 20th Apr 2007:
Annette Brooke Calls For Action Over Young Deaths At Work.
Fri 23rd Mar 2007:
Annette Brooke MP calls for apology on Iraq.
Wed 28th Feb 2007:
Annette Brooke MP Petitions Parliament on Post Offices.
Tue 6th Feb 2007:
Annette Brooke MP joins Home Heat Helpline in their campaign to alleviate fuel poverty.
Fri 26th Jan 2007:
Annette Brooke marks Holocaust Memorial Day.
Thu 25th Jan 2007:
Local People back Annette Brooke to fight for Dorset Post Offices.
Thu 18th Jan 2007:
Annette Brooke backs 'Doubt Kills' campaign.
Tue 2nd Jan 2007:
Don't be conned when it comes to New Year's resolutions says Annette Brooke MP.
Mon 11th Dec 2006:
Annette Brooke backs Campaign for Carers rights.
Fri 24th Nov 2006:
Annette Brooke MP Visits Local School.
ANNETTE BROOKE MP TOPS DORSET MPS' VOTING RECORDS.
Fri 10th Nov 2006:
Annette Brooke MP named NSPCC Ambassador.
Tue 7th Nov 2006:
Annette Brooke MP speaks up for Dorset Farepak customers.
Fri 27th Oct 2006:
Carbon Emissions in Poole Unsustainable - Annette Brooke MP.
Tue 24th Oct 2006:
Annette Brooke MP and Breast Cancer Campaign ask you to 'wear it pink'!
Fri 20th Oct 2006:
Local Directors Lobby Annette Brooke MP on Business Concerns.
Fri 13th Oct 2006:
Tagged offenders guilty of 1000 serious crimes - Annette Brooke.
Annette Brooke holds Q and A Session at Local School.
Wed 20th Sep 2006:
Annette Brooke says "Tax pollution, not people!".
Tue 12th Sep 2006:
Annette Brooke MP supports nation's biggest blood pressure testing event.
Wed 19th Jul 2006:
UK Sport must account for £600 million Olympics money - Annette Brooke.
Thu 6th Jul 2006:
Annette Brooke MP challenges Government on local bus services .
Tue 4th Jul 2006:
Annette Brooke MP meets with WaterAid.
Fri 30th Jun 2006:
CSA fails to collect £3.5 billion - Annette Brooke.
Wed 28th Jun 2006:
Annette Brooke Congratulates Children's Commissioner .
Mon 26th Jun 2006:
Equal protection for children is an obligation not an option - Annette Brooke.
Wed 21st Jun 2006:
Annette Brooke MP supports "Don't push me around!" report.
Mon 19th Jun 2006:
Annette Brooke supports Lib Dem petition against homophobic bullying .
Fri 16th Jun 2006:
NHS staff unconvinced by new IT system- Annette Brooke MP.
Thu 15th Jun 2006:
Annette Brooke supports the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - 15th June 2006.
Mon 12th Jun 2006:
'Local carers face health crisis of their own' - Annette Brooke MP.
Annette Brooke MP backs Bill to give power to local citizens.
Fri 9th Jun 2006:
Annette Brooke welcomes breast cancer drug announcement.
Annette Brooke MP responds to Countryside Access Report.
Wed 7th Jun 2006:
NHS deficit may have reached one billion pounds - Annette Brooke MP.
Tue 6th Jun 2006:
Prisoner numbers now at an unprecedented high - Annette Brooke .
Thu 1st Jun 2006:
Annette Brooke MP calls for balanced representation of young people in the media.
Tax credit chaos still failing families - Annette Brooke.
Fri 19th May 2006:
Annette Brooke MP supports new NSPCC campaign for sexually abused children .
Fri 12th May 2006:
Annette Brooke MP calls for Tories to keep their promises on library cuts.
Thu 27th Apr 2006:
Benefit system is just too complex - Annette Brooke MP.
Tue 25th Apr 2006:
Annette Brooke joins the Public Accounts Committee and comments on its latest report.
Thu 20th Apr 2006:
Young Carers put Annette Brooke under the Spotlight .
Thu 30th Mar 2006:
Annette Brooke MP backs new campaign to cut carbon pollution.
Annette Brooke MP joins Amanda Redman in bid to cut scalding deaths .
Mon 27th Mar 2006:
Annette Brooke MP welcomes move to see 'adult' publications sold responsibly .
Mon 20th Mar 2006:
Dorset ice cream producer launches product at the House of Commons, with support from local MP Annette Brooke .
Mon 13th Feb 2006:
Annette Brooke MP promises "I'm voting smokefree" .
Fri 10th Feb 2006:
"Sensational Victory" for Liberal Democrats in Dunfermline, says Annette Brooke MP.
Thu 26th Jan 2006:
Annette Brooke MP's New Year's resolution to make climate change personal.
Wed 25th Jan 2006:
Annette Brooke MP backs annual Loud Tie Campaign; 30th January to 5th February 2006.
Tue 24th Jan 2006:
Annette Brooke pledges support for homeless young people.
Mon 23rd Jan 2006:
"Patients must receive most appropriate Alzheimer's care", states Annette Brooke .
Thu 12th Jan 2006:
Annette Brooke Backs Party President Simon Hughes in Leadership Campaign.
Mon 9th Jan 2006:
New Animal Welfare Law Backed by Annette Brooke MP.
Mon 12th Dec 2005:
Annette Brooke stands up to support right to work for failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers.
Fri 25th Nov 2005:
Annette Brooke tables parliamentary motion in support of campaign for Breastfeeding in Public Places.
Thu 24th Nov 2005:
Annette Brooke MP challenges Education Minister on dire situation at Lytchett Minster School .
Wed 16th Nov 2005:
As Trade Justice debate returns to political agenda, Annette Brooke Challenges Minister on UK's Action.
Thu 10th Nov 2005:
Climate Change Bills Campaigners Thank Annette Brooke for her Support.
Tue 8th Nov 2005:
Annette Brooke says "Happy 70th Birthday" to RNIB's Talking Books service, and tables a motion for Parliament's support.
Mon 7th Nov 2005:
Annette Brooke MP Demands Pensions Justice for Women and Carers .
Fri 28th Oct 2005:
1400 Local Pensioners Missing Out on Pension Credit - Annette Brooke MP.
Mon 24th Oct 2005:
Annette Brooke MP joins 'Save your 20%' Campaign.
Tue 18th Oct 2005:
Government Failing to Prevent Pensions Crisis - Annette Brooke MP.
Wed 12th Oct 2005:
Annette Brooke recognised in new book on female politicians "Women in Parliament".
Fri 23rd Sep 2005:
Children and Families issues main focus for Annette Brooke at conference in Blackpool.
Wed 8th Jun 2005:
Annette Brooke Promotes 'Help A Heart Week'.
Annette Brooke MP Calls For End To Housing Inequality For Disabled People.
Fri 3rd Jun 2005:
Hollywood Actress Natalie Portman Meets Annette Brooke About Microfinance.
Wed 25th May 2005:
Annette Brooke MP joins RNIB's national glaucoma and blindness awareness campaign.
Annette Brooke Supports Campaign For Democracy.
Thu 28th Apr 2005:
Baroness Shirley Williams and Annette Brooke Visit Hillyard Court Residents in Wareham.
Sat 9th Apr 2005:
Annette Brooke Formally Adopted to Represent Mid Dorset & North Poole.
Wed 4th May 2005:
Charles Kennedy and Annette Brooke visit Holton Lee Centre near Wareham.
Mon 21st Mar 2005:
National Obesity Campaign gets backing from Local MP, Annette Brooke.
Sat 22nd Jan 2005:
Annette Brooke Gets All "Tied Up" To Help In The Fight Against Bowel Cancer.
Thu 13th Jan 2005:
Broadstone signs Annette Brooke!
Mon 20th Dec 2004:
Annette Brooke Backs Launch of UK's First Coastal Action Zone.
Tue 14th Dec 2004:
Annette Brooke MP is awarded for her charitable work.
Mon 6th Dec 2004:
Local MP, Annette Brooke, helps win statutory 20% target for energy.
Wed 8th Sep 2004:
Annette Brooke MP Challenges Prime Minister On Progress For Peace In Middle East.
Thu 19th Aug 2004:
MP Annette Brooke Condemns Government Decision on Regulation of Pharmacies .
Mon 16th Aug 2004:
Annette Brooke Links NHS Donor Register to Website for "One Click" Campaign.
Tue 20th Jul 2004:
Reopening of Equitable Investigation Welcomed --Annette Brooke MP .
Thu 1st Jul 2004:
Annette Brooke MP Challenges Minister on Funding for Mathematics Teachers.
Mon 28th Jun 2004:
Annette Brooke MP Shows Support for Campaign to 'Save the Alabatross'.
Fri 5th Mar 2004:
Mid Dorset & North Poole MP, Annette Brooke, has been appointed Shadow Minister for Children and Early Years for the Liberal Democrats.
Tue 24th Feb 2004:
Annette Brooke MP responds to statement on Angela Cannings case by Margaret Hodge.
Fri 6th Feb 2004:
Annette Brooke Urges Government to Consider Replacing Unfair Council Tax.
Thu 22nd Jan 2004:
MP Annette Brooke Gets "Tied Up" to Help in the Fight Against Bowel Cancer.
Thu 18th Dec 2003:
energywatch & Annette Brooke MP say 'No' to New Year Disconnections .
Wed 10th Dec 2003:
Scrapping Pension Book Means 3,000 Fewer Customers for Mid Dorset's Post Offices, says Annette Brooke.
Wed 3rd Dec 2003:
Domestic Violence and Victims Bill to be Welcomed- Annette Brooke MP.
Wed 12th Nov 2003:
Annette Brooke Challenges Prime Minster on Shortage of Radiographers in NHS.
Wed 8th Oct 2003:
MPs Voluntary Secondment Scheme- Annette Brooke Works at RNIB Head Office.
Wed 1st Oct 2003:
MP Annette Brooke Endorses Heart Failure Awareness Campaign.
Tue 30th Sep 2003:
NGOs Welcome Annette Brooke MP's Support for Domestic Energy Efficiency.
Wed 10th Sep 2003:
Annette Brooke- Will Mid Dorset Pensioners .
Tue 1st Jul 2003:
"Mind Your Head" - Annette Brooke MP.
Related Press Articles:
Thu 14th Jun 2007:
Annette Brooke MP in Remploy plea.
Annette Brooke MP delighted at plans for 'Right to breastfeed' law .
Related Speeches:
Wed 8th Sep 2004:
Annette Brooke MP Challenges Prime Minister on Progress For Peace In the Middle East.
