Hundreds of Dubai residents took part in a walk on Saturday morning to raise awareness of the plight of those suffering from arthritis.
It was the first time in two years that the event took place, after previous walks were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its absence has been sorely felt as UAE residents with arthritis were left without a crucial means of support, said Sanria Khan, organiser and one of the founding members of the Middle East Arthritis Foundation (MEAF).
“The walk offers a vital network for those with arthritis. It helps to create a community for those with arthritis to show they are not alone and their situation can be improved,” she said.
“It is also very helpful for families of people with arthritis as they can share information and contacts to help each other.”
Ms Khan, 55, from India, had rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed at an early age but has been able to manage her condition and now makes a living as a life coach.
“When you are first diagnosed, it can be a really lonely and scary feeling,” she said.
“That is why it is so important to know you are not alone and [that] there is help out there.”
Arthritis is a disease caused by the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints.
Even though there is no cure, experts claim early detection and treatment can significantly increase the quality of life of patients.
Among those taking part in the walk was Dubai resident Sheetal Nair, 43, an Indian resident whose son Arjun, 9, was found to have juvenile arthritis last year.
“One morning he just woke up and wasn’t able to walk and his right ankle was all swollen up,” she said.
“I took him to a doctor and they treated it like it was a normal sprain but the pain continued for three weeks.
“We couldn’t diagnose it and after a few weeks, we were advised to see a rheumatologist.”
She said the condition was so rare in children that it took some time to find a rheumatologist specialising in arthritis in patients so young.
“We were just lucky we did manage to find someone who was able to help us before the pain spread to other parts of the body,” said Ms Nair.
“He was put on treatment, including steroids, and we were told it could take 18 months before he made a recovery. However, he is almost back to full health already within eight months.”
Ms Nair said she was taking part in the walk to show others that support is out there.
Globally, there are more than 350 million people suffering from some form of the condition, according to MEAF.
The Walk for Arthritis event in Dubai took place for four consecutive years before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, when it was then placed on hold for two years.
Polish swimming coach Karolina Soroko, 37, who had arthritis diagnosed when she was a child, said she was proudly taking her place among those participating in the 3.5-kilometre walk on Saturday.
“I couldn’t even stand up without support it was so bad,” Ms Soroko said.
“There was a time about 10 years ago when I even needed people to help me to get out of a car.”
She said having a healthy and active lifestyle is a key facet in overcoming the challenges presented by life with arthritis.
“I moved to Dubai about three years ago for the sunny weather, which is better for my health,” she said.
“When I tell people now that I have arthritis they don’t believe me. I used to work in real estate in London but left to become a swimming coach in Dubai and it is the best decision I ever made.”
Isra Shabandri, 34, has been living with arthritis since the age of seven. She underwent various treatments in her home country of Saudi Arabia but it was not until she changed her diet that she noticed her condition was improving.
“I realised I need to avoid certain foods. I don’t eat red meat at all and can’t eat potatoes,” said Ms Shabandri, who now works as a teacher in Dubai.
“I love French fries but the minute I eat anything made from potato, I feel pain in my body.”
Dr Humeira Badsha, a rheumatologist and co-founder of the MEAF, said Saturday’s walk was crucial for arthritis sufferers as it showed the importance of not giving up.
“After a certain stage in arthritis, people often lose the will to get up from bed, thus this walkathon aims to reach out to these patients and their families to build awareness on leading a normal life routine and restoring their motivation,” she said.
“We aim to build a community for patients to support and motivate each other in a positive way along with their loved ones, together, to beat arthritis.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Leaderboard
63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)
64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)
66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)
67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)
68 - Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)
69 - Justin Rose (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Danny Willett (ENG), Li Haotong (CHN), Matthias Schwab (AUT)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
SRI LANKA SQUAD
Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Dir: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson
3/5
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Company Profile
Company name: Big Farm Brothers
Started: September 2020
Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur
Based: Dubai Investment Park 1
Industry: food and agriculture
Initial investment: $205,000
Current staff: eight to 10
Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets
Company%20profile
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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
