Arthritis And Dance Step Out Together

          Media Release
14 September 2010

Arthritis And Dance Step Out Together

The latest special New Zealander to join Arthritis New Zealand’s Ambassador Programme, is one of New Zealand’s best-loved dancers and choreographer, Mary-Jane O’Reilly.

 
Mary-Jane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1998, a cruel blow for someone who lived for movement. It took many years before Mary-Jane accepted her condition and felt ready to share the news publicly.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common form of arthritis, and there is approximately 40,000 New Zealanders suffering from this unpredictable disease. It can occur at any age and it affects women three times more often than men.

Mary-Jane has had a career in dance of over 40 years and she first came to notoriety as a co-founder of Limbs Dance co but although she has arthritis and is older, this hasn’t stopped Mary-Jane from continuing to be part of the dancing world. She is now Artistic Director of the tempo° Dance Festival which starts in Auckland tomorrow which is a few days before the Arthritis New Zealand Annual Appeal week. The tempo° Dance Festival runs till the end of October with many fabulous dance events and performances featuring over that time.

Mary-Jane looks forward to supporting the charity: “I’m delighted to be one of Arthritis New Zealand’s ambassadors. The work they are doing to enable a better quality of life for those with arthritis in New Zealand is crucial.”

“I have learnt that my body, through gentle forms of exercise like slow choreography, yoga and Pilates can still be active. It also tells me when it is time to rest, which is just as important as being active.”

Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand is thrilled to have Mary-Jane onboard the Ambassador Programme: “By having national talents like Mary-Jane Reilly out in the public eye supporting Arthritis New Zealand’s services and leading an active life with arthritis, we hope to get our message out that arthritis can be self-managed.”

“By self-managing her condition, Mary-Jane is a great example of how, by keeping active, listening to your body and leading a healthy lifestyle you can often alleviate pain associated with arthritis.”

“It’s an easy equation, less body weight equals less stress on weight bearing joints like hips and knees. Regular weekly exercises that include stretching, strengthening and aerobic activity can help to improve movement for arthritis sufferers.”

ENDS

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