According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 46 million Americans have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis or chronic joint pain.
Recently named Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation 's Greater Chicago Chapter, Cindy Copenhaver is working to bring awareness to the disease.
As an ambassador, Copenhaver recently was in Washington D.C. for a Congressional briefing for the Arthritis Foundation. She spoke to Congress with the hopes of opening their eyes to the disease and to promote the exercise programs as a treatment.
Before leaving for Washington, Copenhaver met with Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. to ask him for his help in co-sponsoring the Arthritis Bill.
"I was so happy to be able to meet with Mr. Jackson in Washington because he is a man of his word," Copenhaver said.
Copenhaver also met with Illinois U.S. senators Richard J. Durbin and Roland W. Burris' staff.
"We stressed the importance of the bill and asked for their support of the Center for Disease Control which will work with programming for the foundation as well as the National Institute of Health which will help with research for arthritis," Copenhaver said.
The Arthritis Bill works to promote research and funding to help find a cure.
Copenhaver has been a fitness instructor since the early 1980's.
"I got involved in the Arthritis Foundation from a fitness point of view," Copenhaver noted. "I have always worked with senior citizens and it seemed, in my mind then, that it was the elderly population that had arthritis. However, through my involvement in the Arthritis Foundation, I have found out that so many children have arthritis, too. It's a real eye opener to me."
Just three years ago, Copenhaver herself was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her thumb.
"It was a real motivating factor for me to stay active in the Arthritis Foundation," she said. "I felt like, if this is how bad my thumb hurts me, I can't imagine if it was in my knee, my hip, or my back."
Copenhaver is a personal trainer at the South Holland Community Center. She is certified to teach the arthritis exercise programs.
Copenhaver is a firm believer in exercise especially for those who suffer from joint pain.
Copenhaver says she hopes to continue to bring awareness to the disease and to help those who are suffering.
