Koomarri finds the right job for the right person | The Canberra Times

Whether it’s a condition that causes chronic pain or debilitating fatigue, the invisible disability is real. Photo Shutterstock

Founded in 1977, Arthritis, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT is a non-profit, self-help organization to support people living with arthritis and other chronic pain, as well as people living with debilitating fatigue (such as Pulmonary COVID and Myalgic Encephalopathy ).

These are largely invisible disabilities that can make it even more difficult for the people who live with them.

“There is prejudice in the community that people without a very obvious disability are ‘malinger’, so we work really hard to not only support this group of people, but also to educate the community about the challenges that people with ‘ face ‘invisible’ disabilities,” said Rebecca Davey, CEO of Arthritis, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT.

“Arthritis is the cause of the greatest burden of disability in our society, and while for many people arthritis may just be an annoying problem that pops up from time to time, people with autoimmune arthritis in particular, where the individual’s own immune system attack. them, can and does cause severe disability and can be life-threatening.”

A few years ago, Arthritis ACT joined the ACT ME/CFS Society and Pain Support ACT to be more inclusive.

Arthritis, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT offers a large range of allied health services including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics, occupational therapy and art therapy/mental health support.

“We’re probably best known as a provider of hydrotherapy across Canberra, and we also provide health education services, support groups and we can help connect you with other services available in the community,” Rebecca said.

At Arthritis, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT, their members use the pool sessions for hydrotherapy to help with pain management, help strengthen joints in preparation, or to aid their recovery after surgery.

“Whether it’s a condition that causes chronic pain or debilitating fatigue, the disability is real,” she said. “There is also no age limit on disability – we will assist people at any age with their disability.

“We are a registered NDIS provider and we can support people at level 2 and above with My Aged Care packages.

We are a registered NDIS provider and we can support people on level 2 and above My Aged Care packages.

– CEO Rebecca Davey, Arthritis, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT

“We provide group exercise classes, individual training sessions and support services to assist people living with disabilities.”

Find out about the support services such as monthly information sessions, a self-help course and Telephone Information and Support Service (TISS) to members, medical practitioners and the public.

Please call the team at Arthritis, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT on 1800 011 041 or see arthritisact.org.au for more details.