ABOUT US

Without Wings is a local charity specifically for people living with Autoimmune Arthritis.
What is Autoimmune Arthritis?
There are many types of autoimmune arthritis. The most common include: rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile arthritis and lupus. Autoimmune Arthritis are chronic conditions whereby the body's immune system not only progressively attacks the linings of the joints, but also many other systems in the body. These can include the eyes, skin and organs.
Autoimmune Arthritis can affect anyone of any age, and usually requires a lifetime of escalating and aggressive medical intervention.
What does Without Wings hope to achieve?
Through our social media and fundraising efforts, Without Wings aims to:
1. Raise awareness and challenge misperceptions of these often misunderstood illnesses
2. Provide useful information for sufferers in a positive and inspirational manner
3. Provide financial support for essential and compassionate services when sufferers are most 'without wings,' or their freedom - either physically, or emotionally.
Our logo was kindly designed and donated by Michele Clausen. Michele, who also lives with RA, resides in New Zealand with her husband and very cute dog. Our frequent colour re-masterings are by another, more local graphic designer, Darren Prior. Darren has also been kindly donating his skills.
​We asked 3 year old Isaac Megson, and his mother Nicola, to name the bird. Isaac was diagnosed with JIA aged only 1. He has chosen the name... Lula!
You can read more about Isaac and his family, along with other Inspirational Stories, here:

​CALENDAR 2017
JANUARY 1ST 2018 - Southern New Year's Day Dips! Triskel Promotions Ltd.

EARLY FEB - NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH!!!

SUNDAY MARCH 25TH - (TBC.) Complementary Health Fair, Laxey Working Mens Institute, noon till 4pm. FREE.

TUESDAY MAY 15TH - IN CONJUNCTION WITH MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK: We are very excited to announce that we have managed to persuade Charles Linden, devisor of The Linden Method for Complete Anxiety Recovery to give a public Skype session! This event will take place at the Laxey Working Mens Institute 7pm prompt and though FREE!!! by ticket only as places will be limited. Living with chronic illness can be stressful and cause many secondary mental health complications. Charles - ex anxiety sufferer and educator, has it all worked out. NOTE TO BE MISSED!

SATURDAY JUNE 16TH - (details TBC) LOVE TO MOVE BOUNCY CASTLE DAY in conjunction with live music from the kids at Soundcheck. Celebrating movement and highlighting the impact of autoimmune arthritis on our younger community - affected children and young adults, and affected adults with young families.

JULY 5TH - FIND US AT TYNWALD: promoting healthy eating habits: smoothie stand, raw snacks, fortune telling and more decorating the Lula comp!

JULY 22nd - 7.30pm Noa Bakehouse: TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED : HEALING AGAINST THE ODDS II - TALK THIS YEAR BY AMERICAN BASED KATY THE MIGHTY - JIA DITCHING-PLANT BASED-BIKRAM YOGA-CRAZY SUPERCHAMP !!! Hear how she's getting on in her unrivalled efforts to crush an ENTIRE LIFETIME! of juvenile arthritis. Tickets £10 - half price for sufferers of autoimmune arthritis. Second speaker tbc... currently hotting up to be a VERY exciting event with plant based and fermented food demos and MORE! YOU WILL NEED TO GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY!

OCTOBER 20TH - 2ND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION! Ooh what will happen this year? Laxey Working Mens Institute 8pm 

DECEMBER (TBC)- ANDREAS AND SULBY SCHOOL FAYRES - SMOOTHIE STANDS
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STRAND STREET TROMBONE BUSKING!

OUR WORK

Without Wings received its charity number in October 2016. Our first major event in July 2017, Tales of the Unexpected: Natural Healing Against the Odds, was a sell out! Here are some photographs...
Danny Preil, our speaker from the Netherlands, describing his story and how hard he worked to tame his RA
Andy Swarbrick, our second speaker, has suffered from RA, PsA and also Osteoarthritis for over 40 years. Before starting a low fat, plant based diet, combined with intensive aerobic exercise, he was wheelchair bound and waiting for a double knee replacement (which he has never had). This picture is of him demonstrating his new yoga skills. 
Noa Bakehouse was a fantastic venue! It was also packed out. We had anticipated selling approximately 50-60 tickets and actually sold closer to 90. Feedback was 100% positive and we will definitely be holding more exploratory events like this in the future. 

HOW CAN I BE MORE INVOLVED?

Lots of people are asking how they can be more involved. Here are a few ideas.
  • ​Check out the calendar below, read our blog and support our awareness and fundraising campaigns. Attend our talks and other events, find us for a chat at events and keep an eye out for when we need help.
  • If you have an 'inspirational story' regarding how you deal with autoimmune arthritis, please get in contact. We would love to feature you in our 'Positive Living' section.
  • Ask your workplace/ school to do a dress down or similar fundraising effort on our behalf. Or ask us about charity boxes for your workplace.
  • You can use our Just Giving page to get sponsored, then do something exciting and personally challenging to help us raise awareness/funds. Contact the papers and tell them about it!
  • Organise a group in your area and do something positive together! We can link your group or your own events in on our info page and mention you in our blog.
  • Use us! We know it can be hard to ask for help but if we can then we will. All financial aid will be confidential unless expressly agreed otherwise.
  • Tell people about us! Spread the word and share our Facebook posts. Help us break down misperceptions and the trivialisation of these illnessses. Help people get diagnosed earlier and enable all sufferers of these diseases to feel less isolated and confused and more supported and in better in control of their lives.