Call for Get in the Loop French writers
As you can see, in this issue we included a story written in French. We love to receive submissions, but we would especially like to have more articles in French to provide a bilingual newsletter for Canadians with lupus. If you would like to be more involved with the newsletter, get in touch with us at getintheloop@gmail.com.

Comme vous le voyez, on inclut dans cette édition notre première article en français. On a un grand besoin pour des articles rédigés en français, pour en créer un bulletin bilingue à nos membres. Si vous avez quelque chose à contribuer, veuillez nous contacter au getintheloop@gmail.com.

The 2008 NEADS Conference will be held on November 14-16 at the Delta Ottawa. The annual conference focuses on issues relating to equality for persons with disabilities in post-secondary education and employment. This year’s theme is "Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow". For more information, visit http://neads.ca.

La Conférence 2008 de NEADS aura lieu le 14 au 16 novembre au Delta Ottawa. Cette conférence annuel présente des problèmes qui concernent les handicapés dans les collèges et universités, ainsi que dans le monde de travail. Le thème de cette année sera : « Apprendre aujourd’hui- diriger demain ». Pour plus d’informations, visitez le site web, http://neads.ca/fr.

ARTritis is an online collection of artwork and written pieces by young people living with various forms of arthritis, including lupus. The project, supported by the BC and Yukon divisions of the Arthritis Society, is looking for submissions to add to their arthritis-themed collection. For more info, contact ARTritisProject@gmail.com or visit www.projectARTritis.blogspot.com.

ARTritis est une collection en ligne des oeuvres d’art et des écrits par des jeunes vivant avec les divers formes de l’arthrite, y inclus le lupus. Ce projet, supporté par les divisions de la Société d’Arthrite en Colombie-Britannique et au Yukon, est à la recherche des pièces pour ajouter à cette collection, ayant un thème de l’arthrite et ses difficultés. Pour plus d’infos, contactez le ARTritisProject@gmail.com ou visitez leur page, www.projectARTritis.blogspot.com.

WALK-A-BLOCK 2009

As you already may know World Lupus Day is May 10th and it will be coming before you know it. Starting your own lupus walk is not difficult at all. You can get anything and everything you need to aid your walk from Lupus Canada.

If you are interested in starting your own walk you should start getting some corporate sponsors now as well as contacting Lupus Canada to help guide you in the right direction.

It is very rewarding to have the support from your family, friends, community and Lupus Canada. Starting or participating in a lupus walk is a fun way to meet new people as well as get some support that you need to help you cope with your disease.

La Journée Mondiale du lupus sera le 10 mai. Vous pourrez contribuer à la conscience publique en faisant une marche pour le lupus.

Si vous voulez participer au Marchez et Luttez contre le lupus 2008, voici le temps de penser aux commanditaires et aux gens qui pourront vous aider.

N’oubliez pas de contacter Lupus Canada pour plus d’informations et/ou idées.

Charlene Johnson
Melissa Alexander
Jennifer Huska
Jodie Nimigon
David Ramsey
Florence Tewogbade
Timothy Alexander
Bernadette Alexander
Maureen Inwood
Alexandra Bennett
Vanessa Lemire
Tyla Teelucksingh

Strapped for cash for tuition?
by Charlene Johnson
Consider applying for scholarships or bursaries. Scholarships and bursaries are not only awarded to straight-A students. Many awards are designated for specific groups, such as visible minorities and students with disabilities. These awards recognize the efforts of students to pursue higher education despite extenuating circumstances.........Read More

Plus d’argent pour la matricule?
Charlene Johnson
Peut-être vous devrez vous rendre pour une bourse. Plusieurs bourses sont désignées pour des groupes spéciaux, tels les minorités et les étudiants handicapés. Ces bourses reconnaissent les efforts des étudiants à poursuivre des études malgré des circonstances difficiles........Read More

The inevitable work-school balance
by Jodie Nimigon
The balance between school and work deadlines and responsibilities can be very challenging to master, particularly while still maintaining adequate health. For individuals with lupus, there is yet another factor to consider in the delicate balance – work/school/managing illness.
Sadly, there is no secret to finding the necessary balance between this trilogy of life factors – it takes practice, support from key players (ie. parents, teachers, friends), negotiations with teachers and bosses, and dedication from yourself. Being in university and/or college is inevitably overwhelming, however for individuals with lupus there is not only worry associated with the quantity of work you need to accomplish during the semester, but also the relative stress of what impact your work-load will have on your lupus-related health. I believe that part of seeking balance between school, work and health is related to the need to worry about the right thing at the right time. .......Read More

Lupus does not have me
by Florence Tewogbade
"Your daughter has a disease called Lupus" were the words I heard from my then nephrologist’s mouth, as I lay down on my bed at Sick Kid’s hospital. I turned my head and looked over at my parents, who were listening intently to every word he said.

I had decided early on that I wasn’t going to let lupus, whatever it was, take over my life. That very decision was soon tested. .......Read More

Je suis malade...
By Vanessa Lemire
Malgré le fait que je le suis depuis 10 ans, ce sont pour moi des mots difficiles à écrire. La maladie s’est installée peu à peu, avec un des 1000 visages que peut avoir le lupus. J’avais 17 ans, j’étudiais, je travaillais, je sortais, je dansais, Un an après les premières manifestations, j’abandonnais le travail et la danse, faute d’avoir trouvé le bon diagnostique et le bon médicament. Finalement, deux ans plus tard, avec un médicament traitant l’arthrite rhumatoïde, je me sentais guérie. J’avais 20 ans et je n’étais plus malade. J’arrêtai donc les médicaments (je n’ai jamais aimé prendre des pilules) et partis pour l’aventure dans les Rocheuses. Une montée et quelques semaines plus tard, une crise d’arthrite comme je n’en avais jamais eu se déclencha. Nouvelle manifestation : allergie au soleil. Nouveau diagnostique : Lupus. Commença une série de rendez-vous médicaux, d’essais de médicaments, sans amélioration de mon état de santé. M’habiller devenait difficile, marcher demandait un effort considérable. Sans cortisone, j’étais non fonctionnelle. Je n’avais pas le temps de réfléchir au fait que j’étais réellement malade, et ce pour la vie. Je pensais seulement à ne plus avoir mal, à ne plus être fatiguée et à réussir mes cours. .......Read More

by Jennifer Huska
It is time to get those cosy sweaters out and ram up the flavour with these sensational warm fall recipes, which are sure to warm up any chilly day; not to mention making your house smell wonderful!

Recipe #1: Baked Chicken with Apricots
This recipe can easily be made different with a quick change of fruits. Instead of apricots you can try cherries or pineapple.

Recipe #2: Red Cider
This blend of different juices warmed with cinnamon and brown sugar makes a festive beverage for all to enjoy.

Recipe #3: Low-Fat Lime Cake

.......Read More

by Melissa Alexander

Being diagnosed with lupus was a very scary experience for me. Not knowing much about the disease, I began to do research and was upset to find there was not a lot known. It was that night I met Maureen Inwood online on a lupus chat room. She comforted me and told me a lot about how the disease affects her and gave me information I could not find online and answered my many questions.

Maureen and I over the years became sisters; we call each other Lupie twins. It is amazing to know that everyone with lupus is so different but Maureen and I, our cases are so much alike. .......Read More

by David Ramsey, Ontario College of Pharmacists
When taking care of yourself or a loved one, there are a number of simple steps that you can take, to make sure that you are getting the most out of your medicine and optimal care from your pharmacist.

• Stay with one pharmacist or one pharmacy
• Take all medications exactly as prescribed
• Talk to your pharmacist
• Ask for a list of your medications
.......Read More

by Timothy and Bernadette Alexander
When our daughter was to be transferred from Sick Kids Hospital to an adult hospital we felt a little bit apprehensive. We were so comfortable at Sick Kids. The doctors and nurses became like our family to us. We had been under their care for four years and they gave our daughter the best care.

When the time came to transfer they held a transition clinic. At this time we met our daughter’s new doctor. He discussed the next treatment plan and we were given a package of information to help us with what to expect. Within the next month we went to the new hospital. .......Read More

Control your disease
by Melissa Alexander
Over the few years with battling lupus you will learn many different health tips to help avoid flares. Finding tips in magazines, health books, from your pharmacist as well as family doctor and your rheumatologist can really help improve your health if you follow them. Here are some tips that you may not know that can help you steer clear of your flares. .......Read More

Meditation
by Jodie Nimigon
Although meditation might not fit within your traditional definition of fitness, there are associations between fitness, and the ancient practices of meditation. Although unknowingly, many of you have probably dabbled in meditation to endure painful medical procedures (which we can all relate to), or through an exercise class (which I hope through reading my fitness column more of you can relate to).

Traditional Meditation ......

Meditation in Fitness ......         .......Read More

Plaquenil
by Alexandra Bennett
Plaquenil or Hydroxychloroquine is a white, film-coated tablet from the family of medications known as anti-inflammatory and anti-malarial. Used alone or in combination with other anti-arthritic medications for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, many turn to this peanut-shaped tablet because it helps to reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints. .......Read More