Did you know that Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability?

It impacts one in every five adults and affects 4 million people in the US and hundreds of millions around the world.

No one deserves to live every day in pain.

While there is no cure for arthritis, The Arthritis Foundation wants to encourage all Americans to take simple steps that will prevent or decrease the pain and disability of arthritis. In partnership with the Ad Council, the Arthritis Foundation is launched the Take Action Against Arthritis initiative in support of World Arthritis Day on October 12, 2012. Observed every year on Oct. 12 since 1996, World Arthritis Day is part of a global awareness initiative by the United Nations-endorsed Bone and Joint Decade.

My grandmother had suffered from Arthritis for more than 25 years.

Ever since I can remember my poor little grandma, all 4’9″ of her has suffered. It started in her fingers and has just gone to different areas of her body. When I was in college, I remember going with her to buy a new phone for her apartment and I needed to make sure it had large numbers she could press because she couldn’t press smaller numbers or do a dial-up phone. It broke my heart. There’s something about my grandmother that you should know, too… this little lady used to play golf, work out every single day and travel almost every weekend! She was on the go… she’s now 87 years old and has had to slow down dramatically, but this little lady was the complete opposite of anyone you would imagine with Arthritis.

Throughout the years my grandmother has adapted as best as she possibly can… she knows her limitations and knows when she good to go. I’ve looked to my mother, her daughter, to see if my mom has experienced any Arthritis in her life and she has a little, but not nearly like my grandmother.

It’s something I’ve become aware of for myself because it has truly broken my heart to see my grandmother like this for so long. But I have to say, I’m also so proud of her because she has become so proficient on the topic of Arthritis and does everything she can to help herself.

I love that there was a spotlight on October 12th on Arthritis, it’s important for people to know and understand what’s it’s all about.

I really love this video featuring the story of Brian Teacher, a tennis pro who fights his arthritis by playing the sport he loves…

Also check out, the Pain Tip App (tipshare.fightarthritispain.org) where you can learn tips on how to manage osteoarthritis pain and share tips of your own, and the Visualization Tool (weapons.fightarthritispain.org) which allows users to share their weapons against arthritis and learn what others do in their fight against the disease.

Let’s increase awareness about osteoarthritis!