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 via short term funding for essential services when sufferers are most 'without wings,' or their freedom - either physically, or emotionally.
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 via short term funding for essential 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:
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 |
FEBRUARY 2ND - RA AWARENESS DAY AND WEBSITE LAUNCH!
FEBRUARY (TBC) - JUVENILE ARTHRITIS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN - Listen out for us on the radio and look for us in the papers. MARCH 25TH 10AM ONWARDS JIA GROUP CARWASH! Pop to the Grandstand to get your car washed or contact us if you'd like to help! APRIL (TBC) THE MANX RAMBLE - Conrhenny Plantation walk followed by soup and rolls back at the Creg Ny Baa MAY 6TH - PIGS ON THE WING CONCERT IN AID OF WITHOUT WINGS (A FEW TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE PETER NORRIS AND SHAKTI MANN) MAY 8TH - 14TH - RA AND MENTAL HEALTH - in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week. JULY 5TH - FIND US AT TYNWALD: smoothie stand and decorate the Lula comp! JULY 23TH - 7.30pm Noa Bakehouse: TALK BY DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE RA WORLD, and ANDY SWARBS, PsA and RA KING! Hear how both Danny and Andy crushed their illnesses through a low fat, plant based diet. OCTOBER 21st - 1ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION! Dance of the Devil's Snuffbox, 8pm, Laxey Working Mens Institute. Tickets £10 available at link above! DECEMBER (TBC)- ANDREAS AND SULBY SCHOOL FAYRES - SMOOTHIE STANDS STRAND STREET 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.
