Trish Barbato
President & CEO, Arthritis Society
Pain is something that everyone can relate to. We try our best to avoid it, and to protect those we love from it. But for the six million Canadians living with arthritis, pain is all too often a part of daily life.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to take away the pain, there is one place people can turn to for help.
“The Arthritis Society offers extensive, evidence-based information and support to help people manage their pain and take control of their disease and their life,” says Trish Barbato, President and CEO of the Arthritis Society. “People with arthritis often feel that others don’t take their pain seriously. We know it’s serious!”
The Arthritis Society’s online tools, such as the medication reference guide and the guide to drug-free pain management, can help people with arthritis make informed decisions about their treatment plan. Its website also offers a self-directed online course to help people learn strategies for minimizing pain and finding relief. There are also videos, webinars, and a section devoted to assistive devices that can help people perform everyday tasks more easily.
“Pain is personal — where it hurts, how much it hurts, and what helps ease it. It can differ for everyone,” says Barbato. “Taking an active role in understanding and managing it is important.”
The work of the Arthritis Society doesn’t stop at education. It’s on the frontlines with elected representatives and policymakers advocating for changes to help the one in five Canadians living with arthritis. And it’s investing in research. In fact, the Arthritis Society is the largest charitable funder of arthritis research in Canada. Great advances have already been made because of research but more are needed to help ease pain, and to one day find a cure for Canada’s most common chronic condition.
