Welcome to the

Chicago Connect Group

Chicago, Illinois
167 Members

Live Yes! Connect Groups offer local connections, education and empowerment. Adults living with arthritis from our local community come together for professional- and volunteer-led sessions on a variety of topics, as well as fun group activities.     

We offer a place of understanding and encouragement for both people living with arthritis and their loved ones. Group participants become self-advocates, develop self-management skills and learn how to not just survive life with arthritis but to thrive. 

Upcoming Events

  • Saturday, April 27th, 2024
    10:00 AM CDT
    2h
  • https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/herrick-lake If you go to this site and click on "Download Trail Map" to see the park and amenities. We will meet in the main entrance parking lot. Trail is limestone and flat throughout. Restrooms are available. 3S580 Naperville Road Wheaton, Illinois Get Directions
  •   3 people attending
Chicago IL Live Yes! Connect Group IN PERSON Nature walk and talk

We will be meeting at  Herrick Lake Forest Preserve to do a 1 mile walk around Herrick Lake and enjoy the scenery.  It is located at  3S580 Naperville Road, Wheaton IL.  We will meet at the main entrance parking lot.  The main entrance is on the south side of Butterfield Road (Route 56) roughly 2 miles west of Naperville Road.  Wear comfortable clothing (appropriate for the temperature) and good supportive shoes.  Please bring your own lunch & water bottle as we will enjoy a picnic and socializing together after our walk.  Feel free to bring a camp chair as well. 

Friends, Family, and Care Partners are always welcome to join meetings.

Registration is required so we know how many to plan for.  A confirmation email will be sent upon registration.

People living with certain types of inflammatory arthritis and other conditions may be more vulnerable to infections and viruses, like COVID-19. As such, the Arthritis Foundation encourages all attendees of in-person Connect Groups to continue wearing masks and staying up to date on vaccines and boosters. Additionally, unvaccinated attendees are encouraged to get a negative COVID test within 48 hours before attending the event. If you are not feeling well or experiencing symptoms of an infectious condition (fever, cough, runny nose, nausea, indigestion, congestion, etc.) please stay home.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

http://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/herrick-lake

 This is an In-Person Event. 
  • Thursday, April 25th, 2024
  • Virtual Event
 This is a Virtual Event. 
Facilitator(s)
Members
  • Event List
Arthritis Foundation Event
  • Saturday, April 27th, 2024
    10:00 AM CDT
    2h
  • https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/herrick-lake If you go to this site and click on "Download Trail Map" to see the park and amenities. We will meet in the main entrance parking lot. Trail is limestone and flat throughout. Restrooms are available. 3S580 Naperville Road Wheaton, Illinois Get Directions
  •   3 people attending
Chicago IL Live Yes! Connect Group IN PERSON Nature walk and talk

We will be meeting at  Herrick Lake Forest Preserve to do a 1 mile walk around Herrick Lake and enjoy the scenery.  It is located at  3S580 Naperville Road, Wheaton IL.  We will meet at the main entrance parking lot.  The main entrance is on the south side of Butterfield Road (Route 56) roughly 2 miles west of Naperville Road.  Wear comfortable clothing (appropriate for the temperature) and good supportive shoes.  Please bring your own lunch & water bottle as we will enjoy a picnic and socializing together after our walk.  Feel free to bring a camp chair as well. 

Friends, Family, and Care Partners are always welcome to join meetings.

Registration is required so we know how many to plan for.  A confirmation email will be sent upon registration.

People living with certain types of inflammatory arthritis and other conditions may be more vulnerable to infections and viruses, like COVID-19. As such, the Arthritis Foundation encourages all attendees of in-person Connect Groups to continue wearing masks and staying up to date on vaccines and boosters. Additionally, unvaccinated attendees are encouraged to get a negative COVID test within 48 hours before attending the event. If you are not feeling well or experiencing symptoms of an infectious condition (fever, cough, runny nose, nausea, indigestion, congestion, etc.) please stay home.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

http://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/herrick-lake

 This is an In-Person Event. 
  • Thursday, April 25th, 2024
  • Virtual Event
 This is a Virtual Event. 
  • Saturday, April 27th, 2024
  • Community Recreation Center 3000 Glenview Rd Wilmette, Illinois Get Directions
 This is an In-Person Event. 
  • Monday, May 13th, 2024
  • Virtual Event
 This is a Virtual Event. 
  • Saturday, May 18th, 2024
  • Old School Forest Preserve 28285 N Saint Marys Rd Libertyville, Illinois Get Directions
2024 Walk to Cure Arthritis - Lake County, IL

The arthritis community needs your support now more than ever. Now is the time to join the movement at the arthritis community's premier event - the Walk to Cure Arthritis.

 This is an In-Person Event. 
  • Thursday, May 23rd, 2024
  • Virtual Event
 This is a Virtual Event. 
  • Saturday, June 1st, 2024
  • Diversey Harbor 2601 N Cannon Dr Chicago, Illinois Get Directions
2024 Walk to Cure Arthritis - Chicago, IL

The arthritis community needs your support now more than ever. Now is the time to join the movement at the arthritis community's premier event - your event- the Walk to Cure Arthritis.

 This is an In-Person Event. 
 This is an In-Person Event. 
  • Thursday, June 27th, 2024
  • Virtual Event
 This is a Virtual Event. 
  • Saturday, August 17th, 2024
  • Henry Maier Festival Grounds North Gate 200 N Harbor Dr Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Directions
 This is an In-Person Event. 
  • Saturday, September 21st, 2024
  • BOUDIN BAKERY 160 Jefferson St San Francisco, California Get Directions
 This is an In-Person Event. 
  • Sunday, October 13th, 2024
  • Grant Park 337 E Randolph Dr Chicago, Illinois Get Directions
 This is an In-Person Event. 
  • Friday, October 18th, 2024
  • Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel 139 E Kilbourn Ave Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Directions
 This is an In-Person Event. 
Facilitators [2]
Members [167]

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Connect Groups - Chicago

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Comments [8]
sarah m
sarah m
March 6, 2024 - 2:41 AM

Hi Everyone! How is everyone? 

Kathleen H
Kathleen H
May 22, 2023 - 6:56 PM

Hi, my name is Kathy and I was recently diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, no underlying disease (yet).  I was put on methotrexate (15mg) and experienced fatigue but now taking 2 folic acids to offset - seems to be working.  I am really stressed out though as I was perfectly healthy and than bam!  I have been losing alot of my hair, used to have full thick hair, now it is very thin.  Doctor said it is not related to the methotrexate but my stress/anxiety.  Curious if anyone else has experienced hair loss taking methotrexate?

Tracy R
Tracy R
February 8, 2023 - 2:17 PM

Hello Chicago group! My name is Tracy and I have OA.  Two partial knee replacements later, it has worked its way up to my SC joint (the joint at the front base of you neck near collarbone).  Im having a hard time finding an OA specialist that will try to address the SC joint (it's uncommon and a sensitive area).  Thought I'd post to see if anyone has any recommendations for the Chicagoland area?  At this point, I'm also willing to travel.  Thanks for any reco's you may have!

Martha P
Martha P
January 23, 2023 - 3:09 AM

Hello everyone! My name is Martha and I live in Chicago. I am 27 years old and a month ago I got diagnosed with RA. I don't know anyone with RA and I would like to hear from others. I would really appreciate it!

Christina M
Christina M
July 21, 2022 - 8:37 AM

Hello all! Hope everything is doing Great!!

Heidi H
Heidi H
July 24, 2022 - 12:24 AM

Hi Christina-

How are you?  I'm hoping everything is going well.  So sorry we didn't reply to your message below.  I'm just seeing it now. :(  Did you get your back strain fixed?  I had that earlier in the year.  Oh so painful.  I used the heating pad and stretching to get it back to normal.  How did you get yours better?  Hoping to see you at our next virtual meeting in August.

 

Be well- Heidi

Christina M
Christina M
May 29, 2022 - 8:46 AM

Does anything have trouble with their RA and flare ups while working in an office? My upper neck/back between the shoulder blades keeps on hurting.. The Doctor said it was a strained muscle. It healed up nicely, then I just started back to work after a week off, and it is paining me again. I am so sad, I switched chairs, I put my computer down.. so if anything has any insight, it would be greatly appreciated! 

Lisa P
Lisa P
August 9, 2019 - 4:44 PM

Hope to see you all at the picnic tomorrow! We should have good weather

Heidi H
Heidi H
August 11, 2019 - 2:57 AM

It was a fun day! Thanks for all your hard work

Heidi H
Heidi H
August 8, 2019 - 3:07 AM

Hey everyone!! Welcome to the website! It's still a work in progress but I think it will improve every day. I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday at the picnic. Be well, friends!