This site provides links to resources and services available for treating the pain and functional difficulties associated with arthritis. This is an interactive site where you can contribute by sharing your story, offering tips and advice for living with arthritis or read others stories and receive newsletters with latest information regarding news and treatments. You can read about medications available and clinical trials as well as read members stories about how effective they have found certain medications to be. People can read only or register to offer tips and advice themselves.
People contribute to this community site for support, understanding and empathy from people who suffer from arthritis. This offers a common bond, rather than just gathering information from professionals who may not suffer from the disease themselves.
Follow this link to read stories members have shared on this website. Stories.
Certain ethical issues regarding this site are the fact that certain information is anonymous and therefore no one is accountable. There are links to alternative therapies and treatments which may be biased if posted by companies or practitioners promoting their own businesses.
Unfortunately this website appears to be predominantly American based. Therefore I'm not sure if a NZ sufferer of rheumatoid arthritis would find the support quite as helpful. However, I'm sure after registering you would find other NZ sufferers on line.
The only thing I can see this website lacking is the fact is it American based - therefore it is unlikely you could physically meet with the people and share information and offer support on a face to face basis. As an Occupational Therapist, I would recommend this website to a client who was a sufferer of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I think the stories shared by others would be beneficial to helping them live with RA, knowing others share their symptoms and difficulties and can offer empathy and support.
Nice job! Some great content here and very readable.
ReplyDelete