The annual Walk for Arthritis is taking place in Parksville Saturday, June 1, helping to raise funds for research and solutions to help the six million Canadians affected by arthritis.
Parksville resident and this year’s walk ambassador Alanda Lindsay is just one Canadian affected by arthritis.
She said arthritis is generally misunderstood and that many people think it affects only seniors.
“There’s just so much that’s not known about arthritis, there is over 150 different kinds of arthritis that people don’t even realize,” she said.
Lindsay was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 11 years ago after she began having pain in her feet.
“I had three jobs…my husband had fallen ill and so I had to carry the whole household financially and physically and it was too much and all of a sudden my feet started hurting,” Lindsay said. “I’m almost 100 per cent sure it was the stress.”
Lindsay said before being diagnosed with arthritis she was very outdoorsy and would often hike, camp, canoe and garden, all activities she can no longer do.
“My whole life has been taken away from me,” she said. “It’s really important that we’re informed on these things so people understand that this is life changing for people.”
Lindsay said the Arthritis Society is a great resource for people affected with arthritis.
“They find help for you so you can deal with it emotionally and physically,” she said.
The Parksville walk takes place along the boardwalk at the Parksville Community Park. There is a one and five-kilometre route for people to chose from.
To register or donate for the walk, visit https://impact.arthritis.ca.