Mr. Speaker, September is Arthritis Month, the time when we give special thought to those who suffer from arthritis and those who help them.
My grandmother had rheumatoid arthritis most of her life. She became unable to walk soon after I was born so I only remember her in bed or in a chair. I never knew how tall she was. As a teenager I was one of those who lifted her from bed to chair.
Today, thanks to the Arthritis Society and its volunteers in branches across the country like the one in Peterborough and thanks to the fine work of health workers, the impact of arthritis can be greatly reduced and life with arthritis can be made more bearable and productive. Progress is also being made in preventing and controlling it. I call on all members to think and pray for everyone with arthritis and all those who help them.