THE St Lucia Arthritis and Lupus association (SLALA) has elected a new executive for the next two years.
The association will be headed by Dr. Celia Mc. Connell- Downes as the President and Dr. Cleopatra Altenor as the Vice President. Secretary is Ms.SnaliahMahal, and assistant is Mrs. Sandy Alcee. Treasurer is Mrs. Margaret Rudder-Mitchell and assistant, Ms.Eyonthe Husbands. Assistant Superintendent Ronald Phillip is PRO assisted by Nurse PhanudaJawahir. The floor members are Mrs. Nancy Gomez, Mrs.Zandra Pereira and Nurse Mary Charlery.
The immediate past president and founding member, Dr. Amanda King demitted office in order to concentrate on the Presidency of the Caribbean Association for Rheumatology, but will continue as Medical Advisor to SLALA. She has pledged her greatest support to the new executive and is set to advance their efforts in realizing the goals of SLALA.
SLALA has been in existence since 1997. It has been a small but vibrant organization providing support for those who suffer with arthritis, lupus and related illnesses, as well as providing opportunities for education and self-empowerment to members and the general public.
Last year the Association took on the ambitious and exciting task of reactivating the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme which had been introduced to St. Lucia through SLALA as the Arthritis Self-management Programme in 2002 and then again in 2005 as Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme. Unfortunately not enough programmes were done and so licences had expired.
Since its reactivation the CDSMP has been renamed ”VivByen”. SLALA understands the importance of empowering persons to be self-managers so they can better care for themselves and be healthier, happier and more productive. Once again, a Stanford University programme author came to the island in June to do training which resulted in 24 trained leaders and now four Master trainers in the VivByen.
Since August last year over 12 workshops were held across island, allowing 101 participants to benefit from VivByen. For 2015, already three workshops have started and the goals are to continue doing many more workshops. Also SLALA would like to conduct two more leaders training targetting persons in the south and north of the island so that more of St. Lucia can realize what it is to “VivByen”.
Already SLALA has hit the ground running. Its first major fundraising event for this year, is the third in a series of fund raising Musical Soirees, which started last year. An evening of world class entertainment will be provided by Montreal Cellist, Karen Kaderavek at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Bailey, Bellargo Park, Cap Estate today from 4:30 p.m, with the recital starting at 6:00 p.m. A limited number of tickets will be on sale from members of the association at EC$150 per person.
For those who may miss this opportunity there is another recital already slated for June 6 at the same venue, with world-renowned pianist, Guyanese-born, Ray Luck.
The association is appealing to the public and corporate St Lucia to support this worthy cause. In an effort to continue educating and motivating members, SLALA holds monthly meetings on the second Thursday.