Our World Scleroderma Day event gained positive coverage in the local Hutt community paper, The Hutt News on 17 June.
Members have been busy setting up at Odlins Gallery to show off their art and craft talents.
We hope it may attract interest from someone looking to the group for support.
This is the Hutt News’ report.
The beauty of glass and crystal bead jewellery, paintings, quilts and crochet work in a Lower Hutt exhibition will be a contrast to the harshness of a disease suffered by their makers.
A team of budding artists from Scleroderma NZ and Friends are putting on a display at Odlins Gallery from June 20 until July 5, to raise awareness for World Scleroderma Day on June 29.
Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis) is a rare auto-immune disease which affects skin,. muscles,
joints, vascular system, gastrointestinal tract and major organs. The body attacks itself and replaces the normal tissue with fibrous tissue, which has serious consequences for the lungs, kidneys, heart and the gastrointestinal tract, along with tightening and hardening of the skin.
Support group member Dianne Purdie says hands can become deformed and slow healing ulcers can appear on hands and fee due to poor circulation. There is no cure. but there are certain drugs and chemotherapy which can help manage Scleroderma.
Purdie says Scleroderma NZ was initiated in the Hutt in 2009, with a about 10 members at the first meeting. Now there are groups in Hamilton. Invercargill, Palmerston North and others starting in other centres for the estimated 1000 Kiwis with Scleroderma.
“The famous artist Paul Glee was a scleroderma patient. and as the years progressed you could see the torture of the disease in his latest works, compared with his earlier works which showed detail and vibrancy,” Purdie says.
“Our exhibition is to show that you can pull through the tough times with creativity, keeping busy, keeping your mind on something positive, and keeping your body working as much as you can, giving you a longer more fulfilling live.”
Check out the website ( www.scleroderma.org.nz). developed by Naenae resident John Spavin. John and his wife Barbara also put out a regular newsletter for Scleroderma NZ Inc.