CalAgrAbility Staff collaborated with Migrant Education, Clinica Tepati, and Yolo County Children's Alliance to lead three "Get Moving: Arthritis Exercise" workshops. Over 40 ag families participated and commented that the class eased pain. CalAgrAbility taught movements and exercises especially for backs and shoulders using the wall to increase posture. CalAgrA fotonovelas and program materials were distributed.
CalAgrA staffed a health fair at the Davis Migrant Center where families learned about CalAgrA's services and at least one attendee with pain and stiffness in his hands and elbows became a consumer. His wife, a nursery worker, has finger joint pain, so staff demonstrated exercises. Attendees received the CalAgrA arthritis fotonovela.
The Arthritis Walk at the Capitol gathered hundreds of participants from all walks of life. CalAgrAbility had a booth showcasing ergonomic gardening tools. Folks commented that they had never seen so much information on arthritis and gardening. A participant said that a few years ago she first saw ergonomic tools at the CalAgrAbility booth during the AF Walk. Since then she purchased tools that she continues to use. Others took information about fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis for relatives.
CalAgrAbility staff led a movement workshop at the Native American conference in Chico, CA, for over 100 attendees. The guest speaker, Maggie Steele, spoke to the audience about the importance of community engagement to heal. She is a certified mediator and recognized by The Violence Prevention Coalition of Orange County as the 2012 Ambassador for Peace for her outstanding work and efforts. To read more about her, visit: http://www2.humboldt.edu/sasop/keynote.html
Submitted by Maria Ceja