Scleroderma - Chronicle of
Past Years' Events
In Rhode Island & Surrounding Areas

Rhode Island Scleroderma Support Group

To Current Events
To Rhode Island Scleroderma Support Group

Usual Meeting Place, unless otherwise indicated:
Nurses Training Room (2nd floor), Roger Williams Hospital,
825 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI

• January & February
  No meetings. Will resume in March.
  To top of page
  
  
• March
  March 22, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Sixth Anniversary Meeting for the RI Scleroderma Support Group.
  
  Guests: Marie and Walter Coyle from the National Scleroderma Foundation.
  Walter and Marie are founders of what has evolved into what we know as the Scleroderma Foundation. They both are directors of the national foundation as well as directors of the New England Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation, which is our parent organization.
  
  We hope you will be able to attend and meet with the Coyles. They should be bringing us news from the Scleroderma Foundations as well as plans at the chapter level.
  To top of page
  
  
• April
  April 26, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Refreshments.
  Guest Speaker: Jean Jackson, M.D., from the Arthritis Center, Robert Breck Brigham Hospital
  Topic: Scleroderma
  To top of page
  
  
• May
  May 24, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Refreshments.
  Guest Speaker: Timothy Connelly, DO, of Roger Williams Hospital's Pain Clinic
  Topic: Pain Management
  To top of page
  
  
• June 2000 Bike-A-Thon info below
  (OR, GO TO -
  June, 2000 Rhode Island Support Group Meeting)
  June 25, 2000. Sunday. Held in Worcester, Massachusetts
  BICYCLISTS and WALKERS,
  FUNDRAISER for scleroderma research in New England.
  In Worcester, Massachusetts, bicyclists and walkers start from U. Mass Medical Center, 55 Lake Avenue North.
  
  
  EVENTS
  • 10 mile bicycle ride
  • 25 mile bicycle ride
  • 5 mile walk
    
  FEES
  • $35 for preregistered walkers and bicyclists (includes a free T-shirt)
  • $40 for on-site registration
  • Donations and/or sponsorships from bikers, walkers, and non-walker/non-bikers are appreciated to further scleroderma research in New England.
  • Volunteers for the event day would also be welcome.
  
  
  ROUTES
  • 10 and 25 mile bike rides are along a scenic area, with some challenging hills.
  • 5 mile walk is around the lake.
  
  
  FOR MORE INFORMATION
  • Carole, Rhode Island Support Group, phone 401-781-5013
  • Mike, Worcester County Scleroderma Committee, phone 508-793-2999
  
  
• June 28 Rhode Island Support Group Meeting
  June 28, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker: Harold Horowitz, M.D., Primary Specialty - Rheumatology
  Topic: Scleroderma
  To top of page
  
  
• July
  July 26, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Refreshments (Provided by attendees)
  Special Event: Celebrate Summer
  Roundtable and Indoor Picnic
  Also, we should have the final results of our bike-a-thon and walk-a-thon from June 25,
  done in collaboration with the Worcester County Group.
  To top of page
  
  
• August
  August 23, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Refreshments. (Provided by attendees)
  Review of events at the Scleroderma National Conference, by attenders from the Rhode Island Scleroderma Support Group.
  To top of page
  
  
• September
  September 27, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Refreshments and Door Prizes (Provided by attendees)
  Guest Speaker: Susan Lessard, Program Director at Curative and Health Services.
  Topic: Ulcers, Wounds, and Healing in Scleroderma Patients.
  To top of page
  
  
• October
  October 25, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker: Wendy Uhing, Occupational Therapist
  Topic: Relaxation, Proper Breathing & Hand Therapy.
  Refreshments (Provided by attendees)
  To top of page
  
  
• November
  November 15, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker: Sandra W. Rosa, B.S., R.Ph.,
  University of Rhode Island,
  Coordinator, Pharmacy Outreach Program, College of Pharmacy
  Topic: Prescription Assistance Plans/Overview
  As time permits, other topics will be addressed such as -
  *Medication Compliance, *"Educate Before you Medicate," *Alternative Therapies for Arthritis, *Depression
  Refreshments (Provided by attendees)
  To top of page
  
  
• December
  December 20, 2000, Wednesday, 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Event; Holiday Party!
  Refreshments (Provided by attendees)
  To top of page

• January & February
  No meetings. Will resume in March.
  To top of page
  
  
• March
  SPECIAL EVENT!
  Saturday, March 3, 2001.
  
  • Lecture and book signing in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Providence Athenaeum.
    Author Henry Scammell will speak there on Treatment Trends in Arthritis and Scleroderma. He will sign copies of his two books on antibacterial treatment: The New Arthritis Breakthrough and Scleroderma: The Proven Therapy That Can Save Your Life.
  Location:
  • 251 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02906
  Contact:
  • Kate (401) 421-6972, ext. 24
  
  The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will follow. Park on the street. The building is not ADA accessible.
  To top of page
  
  REGULAR MEETING!
  Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  What's Going On:
  • Seventh Anniversary Celebration and Round Table
  Refreshments:
  To top of page
  
  
• April
  Wednesday, April 25, 2001, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker:
  • Dr. Kevin Pallis, Chirporactor
    Background: Dr. Pallis is a family chiropractor from Norwood, Massachusetts. He graduated valedictoriasn from Logan College of Chiropractic in 1982. He is a noted lecturer on the local as well as the national level.
  Topic:
  • Scleroderma
    
  Note:
  • One of our members, Veronica, C., wrote to describe great benefits from seeing Dr. Pallis for the last two years. Come and listen and learn for yourself.
  Refreshments
  To top of page
  
  
• May
  Wednesday, May 23, 2001, at 7 p.m., at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker:
  • POSTPONED. Lisa M. Fitzgerald, MD, rheumatologist from Beth Israel Hospital and New England Baptist Hospital - Rescheduled for Fall 2001.
  NEW Topic for May:
  • Roundtable
  Refreshments
  To top of page
  
  
• June
  Wednesday, June 27, 2001, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker:
  • Mary Picard, Occupational Therapist
  Topic:
  • Hand Exercises
    Bring a device to the meeting that you have found helpful in getting through your daily tasks. An example would be a large, soft rubber band wrapped around a pen to make it easier to grip.
  Refreshments
  
  SPECIAL NOTE:
  • June is Scleroderma Awareness Month!
    Those wishing to organize and run a Rhode Island event for Scleroderma Awareness Month should make contact as soon as possible. Those who do so must understand that they are the ones who will plan, organize, promote, and do ALL of the work involved themselves. The suggestors get to do the work they suggest be done.
    
  
  
• July
  Wednesday, July 25, 2001, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  1. Celebrate Summer with a Roundtable & Indoor Picnic
  2. Final report on what was learned at this years National Conference
  
  (If you have not signed up yet, please call (401) 781-5013 to let Carole know what food or drink you plan to bring.)
  To top of page
  
  
• August
  Wednesday, August 22, 2001, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • Roundtable Discussion, and planning events for the fall
  
  
• September
  Wednesday, September 26, 2001, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker:
  • Karen Kuligowski from Gentiva Health Services
  Topic:
  • Pulmonary Hypertension & new treatments on the horizon
  Refreshments
  To top of page
  
  
• October
  Wednesday, October 24, 2001, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • Roundtable Discussion and Report on the Dallas Seminar for Support Leaders
  Refreshments
  To top of page
  
  
• November
  Wednesday, November 28, 2001, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker:
  • Terry Belanger
  Topic:
  • Pain Management
  Refreshments
  To top of page
  
  
• December
  Wednesday, December 19, 2001, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:

  • 2001's Holiday Get-Together!
  • Please plan to bring refreshments. We will have a sign up sheet at our November 2001 meeting, or you may call on of the following with your RSVP and refreshment ideas, so that we do not have duplication.
  • Carole Cowell (401-781-5013
    Ann Sandberg (508) 695-3914
    

  Refreshments: Pot Luck.
  To top of page

• January & February
  No meetings are planned for these two months.
  Keep warm and we look forward to seeing you in the spring!
  To top of page

• March
  Wednesday, March 27, 2002, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • Roundtable Discussion (Dr. Harold Horowitz was RESCHEDULED TO MAY!)
  Speaker:
  • Scleroderma patients and friends
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated.
  To top of page

• April
  Wednesday, April 24, 2002, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • Dealing with Chronic Pain
  Speaker:
  • Brenda Barkman, Clinical Social Worker
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated.
  To top of page

• Thanks: May 16, 2002, Scleroderma Awareness Supper
  Carole wishes to thank everyone for their dedication and support in making our Scleroderma Awareness Supper at Evelyn's Villa in Warwick, RI, a huge success. Special gratitude is owed to Dave Kane of AM radio station WPRO for being not just a great host, but also for being such a kind and helpful person.
  To top of page

• May
  Wednesday, May 22, 2002, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • The Latest Treatments for Scleroderma!
  Speaker:
  • Harold Horowitz, MD
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated.
  To top of page

• June
  No June 2002 meeting because Carole is attending the National Conference in Las Vegas on the date it would normally be held.
  To top of page

• July
  Wednesday, July 24, 2002, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • The Latest from the National Conference on Scleroderma
  Speaker:
  • Carole Cowell, RISSG leader
  • ANNUAL Indoor Picnic
  Phone Carole at 401-781-5013, so she knows how many people to expect and who is bringing what food.
  To top of page

• August
  Wednesday, August 28, 2002, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • Showing of videotape, Dental Care for Scleroderma Patients
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated.
  To top of page

• September
  Wednesday, September 25, 2002, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • To be announced
  Speaker:
  • _______
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated.
  To top of page

• October
  Wednesday, October 23, 2002, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • The Cutting Edge on Medicine for the Lungs
  Speaker:
  • Nicholas Hill, M.D., Lung Specialist
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated.
  To top of page

• November
  Wednesday, November 20, 2002, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place.
  This month we are meeting the THIRD Wednesday in order to avoid conflicts due to Thanksgiving Day.
  Topic:
  • Gastroenterology and Scleroderma
  Speaker:
  • Alan Epstein, Gastroenterologist, Roger Williams Hospital
  Refreshments: Sign up to bring food for next month's Christmas/Hannukah party or call Carole at 401-781-5013.
  To top of page

• December
  Wednesday, December 18, 2002, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • Enjoying This Party
  Speaker:
  • Carole Cowell, RISSG leader, and everyone attending.
  • Christmas & Hannukah Party
  Refreshments: Phone Carole ahead of time at 401-781-5013, so she knows how many people to expect and who is bringing what food.
  To top of page

• January & February
  No meetings are planned for these two months.
  Keep warm and we look forward to seeing you in the spring!
  To top of page

• March
  March 26, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Note Well!
  • This month marks the ninth anniversary of Carole Cowell running the
    Rhode Island Scleroderma Support Group!
  Congratulations
  • And heartfelt thanks to Carole Cowell from all of us for her wonderful dedicated work.
  Topic:
  • Current Wound Care Methods for those with Scleroderma
  Speaker:
  • Melaine Maher, RN, Kent County Hospital Wound Care Center
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated.
  
  To top of page

• April
  Wednesday, April 23, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • The Latest Treatments for Scleroderma
  Speaker:
  • Edward v. Lally, MD, Rheumatologist
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated.
  
  To top of page

• May
  Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • Roundtable Discussion
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated. To top of page

• June
  Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  June is Scleroderma Awareness Month!
  • Viewing of videotape followed by Roundtable Discussion
  Refreshments: Donations of soft drinks and ice are appreciated.
  
  To top of page

• July
  Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • Past Celebration of June Scleroderma Awareness Month
  Going On:
  • Our Indoor Picnic, with doorprize-drawing for baskets.
  Refreshments: Call Carole or Ann about bringing something.
  
  To top of page

• August
  Wednesday, August 27, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Topic:
  • Surprise Party - Baby Shower for Laura and Paul (See Photos Page . . . in progress)
  Going On:
  • Food, soft drinks, presents, and lots of fun

  Refreshments: Call Carole or Ann about bringing something.
  
  To top of page

• September
  Wednesday, September 24, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker:
  • Thomas J. Raimondo, D.O.
  Topic:
  • Scleroderma and the Lungs
  
  
  Refreshments: Donations of soda and ice would be appreciated.
  
  To top of page

• October
  Wednesday, October 22, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker:
  • Jennifer Morgan, Registered Occupational Therapist
    Kent Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
  Topic:
  • Rehabilitation of the Hands and Upper Extremities
  Refreshments: Donations of soda and ice would be appreciated.

  To top of page

• November
  Wednesday, November 19, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker:
  • Virginia Schmidt Parker, MD, Rheumatologist
  Topic:
  • Treatment of Scleroderma Patients
  Refreshments: Donations of soda and ice would be appreciated.
  
  To top of page

• December
  Wednesday, December 17, 2003, at 7 p.m. at our Usual Meeting Place
  Guest Speaker:
  • none - except for a possible visit by either of two bearded strangers.
  Topic:
  • none - Annual Holiday Feast
  Refreshments: Contact Carole Cowell or Ann Sandberg (see below)
  or sign up at an earlier meeting for an item to bring.
  
  To top of page