Southside Arthritis Project

Joints Still Jumpin' in Jarratt

The Virginia Chapter is proud to celebrate one year of our exercise program at the Jarratt Senior Center. This free program is sponsored by the Crater District Area Agency on Aging. The packed class is lead by instructors Dorothy Graves and Pat Tatum and according to its participants has made a difference in their lives. Congratulations Jarratt Senior Center! Keep movin'. If you would like to take part in the Jarratt Class, please call the Jarratt Senior Center at 434.535.8364. Need to find a class in your area?

                                SAP concludes in the Tri-Cities

The grant from the Cameron Foundation successfully concluded, Tuesday, March 21. We hope to continue our programs in the Tri-Cities. Learn more about our efforts and how the project did in your community.

There are an estimated 29,000 people living in the Tri-Cities of Virginia (Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, Prince George and Sussex) with arthritis and few sustainable programs from the Arthritis Foundation, Virginia Chapter.  Through the generosity of The Cameron Foundation, the Virginia Chapter and the Southside Arthritis Project are now in the Tri-Cities, hoping our presence will make the difference.  Over the course of one year, our goal is to reach 1,000 people to "Educate, Engage, Embrace" them on the importance of early diagnosis and prevention, as well as to inform them of available options, tools and management resources to live healthier and happier lives. This project will progress in phases:

• Phase I - Market Southside Arthritis Project to area wellness partners, community leaders and partners through the media and healthcare networks. Recruit persons to instruct Life Improvement Series. Host community luncheon
• Phase II -  Train Life Improvement Series instructors. Host physician awareness dinner to give non-rheumatologists the latest on arthritis treatment options and programs, such as the Southside Arthritis Project
• Phase III - Classes start with new and current wellness partners. Workshops and seminars began
• Phase IV - Continue to market Southside Arthritis Project, sustain programs in the community

View the Southside Arthritis Project Timeline

                                        A Wonder Drug for arthritis

We talk a lot about this drug, it has been in existence for years, we know it is out there, but most of us really don't like to take it. While it is great for our bones, joints and muscles, it is a hard pill to swallow. This drug has proven to relieve pain, stress, fatigue, weight gain and even depression. Recently, the drug  was revealed once again for its significant health uses.

Mae Johnson 

                Joints are Jumping in Jarratt, VA

Through the Southside Arthritis Project  (SAP) seniors in Jarratt, Stoney Creek, Sussex and Waverly, VA  are able to participate twice a week in an Arthritis Foundation exercise program. The seniors are bused by the Crater District Area Agency on Aging to Jarratt Senior Center, located at 114 N. Halifax Rd. If this program had not become availble through SAP seniors in those areas would have to travel to Petersburg or Emporia, VA to take part in an Arthritis Foundation class or any type of exercise program. Class instructors Dorothy Graves and Patricia Tatum are excited about teaching the group of 30 men and women that consist of only two younger than 70. Click here to see the class in action.

Mae Johsnon, the oldest class member, who is 93 years old, states, "I come each week and I do the class because I want to and I do everything in the class on my own.'" Mrs. Johnson has osteoarthritis and says she can tell the difference in her joints when she does a class, "I am not so stiff  after I finish my exercises."

Exercise has proven to reduce the pain, stress and fatigue of arthritis. Get your joints jumping, join an Arthritis Foundation aquatic, exercise, Tai-Chi or self-help class. View our list of programs.  

Arthritis Free Clinic and Goodwill Industries now in the Southside