Arthritis support group ready to assist in SCV

A new arthritis support group has begun hosting gatherings in an effort to support Santa Clarita Valley adults and children who are living with different types of arthritis or other diseases that lead to inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles and fibrous tissue.

Local residents who are living with arthritis, lupus or another rheumatic condition are invited to The Arthritis Foundation’s new Live Yes! Connect group, which meets the second Sunday of every month.

“We want to get the word out that our local support group is here, and planning our next event which will be Sunday, June 9, from 2 to 3 p.m.,” said facilitator Sarah Nelson, who is diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia.

The group meets at the Henry Mayo Fitness and Health Center, located at 24525 Town Center Drive, and director of the Live Yes! Arthritis Network Haydee Sedlmeier said in a news release that the Live Yes! Connect groups are not about sitting around in circles and drinking stale coffee.

“Our peer-led, local support groups offer connection, education and empowerment and share a common goal of bringing people together for activities focused on mutual support and positive coping strategies for living well,” Sedlmeier said. “One month, we may have a presentation on healthy eating, the next we may learn arthritis-friendly exercises and the following month, the support group may attend a social event together.”

Nelson encouraged residents looking for more information on Live Yes! Connect to contact her at 763-360-996 or sarah@arthritisintrospective.org. Prospective members can also visit arthritis.org/ arthritisintrospective.