Sunday, November 10, 20192pm - 4pm
Topic: Reflexology & Spondylitis
Rhonda Funes, certified reflexologist presenting. certified since 1991 by the national governing board of reflexologists, the American Reflexology Certification Board. Ms Funes is also a past president (2009-11) and 28-year professional member of the Reflexology Association of California. She is an Independent instructor with two published training videos through At PeaceMedia productions.
From her website"Reflexology still exists in the 21st Century for one very simple reason. It works. It’s the most convenient, non-invasive, one-on-one technique that is applied without technology to the surface areas of feet, hands and outer ears to provide relief from pain, pre and post dental and surgical procedures, or general stress complaints. The artistry developed from years of experience with the specific scientific applications ensures a customized session every time, creating a pure sense of rejuvenation for body, mind and soul."
Our meetings are also a great way to meet others that are affected by spondylitis. Share experiences and learn from each other on any spondylitis topic of importance to you. We'll have some beverages and light refreshments including starch free options. Please feel welcome to bring some refreshments to share with others. Loved ones and close friends are always welcome.
[Our SF Valley meetings are from 2pm-4pm. The West LA meetings are usually earlier]
SAA National Office 16360 Roscoe Blvd. Suite 100Van Nuys, CA 91406
Exit and head west on Roscoe from the 405/Sepulveda Blvd. The building is on the northwest corner of the MGA campus.
Parking: ample and free.
[Our meetings are either in West Los Angeles on Wilshire Blvd (west of the 405) or in the San Fernando Valley at SAA's office on Roscoe Blvd. (also west of the 405)]
RSVP & Questions:
steve.lombard@live.com Richard@Spondylitis.org
Meetings are from 2pm — 4pm on the second Sunday of the month, excluding holidays.
Please confirm date/time/location and RSVP to Richard@spondylitis.org or steve.lombard@live.com
Richard Howard (818) 892-1616 x231 richard@spondylitis.org
Steve Lombard (818) 636-9204 steve.lombard@live.com
Richard is on staff here at SAA. An SAA member since 1993, he joined our staff in 2012 as our Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving. He then took on the additional responsibilities of Associate Executive Director and now spearheads new projects including research and advocacy as our Chief Mission Advancement Officer. He came to us with over twenty years experience managing an eclectic array of nonprofits. He has worked with the homeless and impoverished, at an art residency center, at community centers and he has been the Executive Director of three large religious institutions. He earned an MBA in nonprofit management and a BA in Sociology from UCLA.
Diagnosed with AS, Iritis and Ulcerative Colitis. Richard and his wife are both native Angelenos and have two children. Aside from spending time with his family and dog, Richard likes to practice/teach yoga, exercise, garden, attend sports/cultural events, and read.
Steve was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in February 2012. He attended the first meeting of the Los Angeles Support Group in October of that year, and has attended almost every meeting since then, as well as Seminars put on by the Spondylitis Association in the Southern California area. He has assisted Richard Howard with finding guest speakers for the meetings, setting up for the meetings, and even stepping in to run meetings when Richard was unable to attend. Steve officially came on board as the group’s co-leader in April of 2018.
Steve lives in the San Fernando Valley with his husband, son, and a small pack of dogs. He is an Eagle Scout, works in the entertainment industry, volunteers as a Parent Mentor with the TIES for Families counseling program at UCLA, and is the co-founder and board member of Friends of Camp Whitsett, a non-profit association that supports the Boy Scout camp of that name in the Sequoia National Monument. Steve is a big fan of Disney and Disneyland, and is a Legacy Runner in the Disneyland Half Marathon, which he has participated in since 2006, despite having AS, as well as IBS and Asthma.
To discuss any issue you have -related in some way to spondylitis- with others living with some type of spondylitis. We generally have two types of meetings, either 'roundtable' or 'invited speakers'. 'Round table' meetings are interactive conversations. There is ample opportunity to dive deeply into an issue and/or to raise a large number of issues of immediate interest with people in the room. The majority of our meetings will have an invited speaker that will share their expertise and field questions for at least half of the meeting. There is time set aside for private discussions with others around a refreshment table (including home baked) at all the meetings. We've had from 4 - 44 people attend a meeting. There are always people attending for the first time. Lately averaging 14 people attending; unless there is a speaker of particular interest, for which we often have closer to 25 people attend. People with long standing disease as well as people not-yet-diagnosed diagnosed attend. Age of attendees have been from 15 - 70ish. Some people are currently in a great deal of pain, while others are running marathons. Close friends and relatives are welcome to join & fully participate at the meeting, sometimes they join without the person with the disease. People have been extremely good listeners and openly share their experiences and information dealing with the same issue. Over 30 years ago, the first small group meeting (also held in Los Angeles) was comprised of people living with the disease, their loved ones and physicians. That tradition works well for our group. When requested, Rich will teach a private yoga lesson prior to a meeting. Refreshments are welcome, but there is no need to bring anything. There is no cost to attend. Several people in the group already donate and raise funds for the SAA, you are encouraged to join them, but donations are not solicited at meetings. If you wish to financially support research, awareness, education for medical professionals and patients, and all the programs such as these education/support groups, please join SAA.
Notes from past meetings:
Aug 2019 | Oct 2018 | April 2018 | April 2014 | March 2014 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012
The following is a patient-to-patient list of local resources who have been referred to the Los Angeles Education/Support Group of the Spondylitis Association of America by one or more attendees of this group, have been a presenter or speaker at an education/support group meeting or have made it known that they have a special interest in spondyloarthritis and would like to be included in this listing. Information was publicly available at the time the resource was added to the list. The leader may also remove people from this list for any reason. Inclusion of a person in this list should not be interpreted as a representation by SAA concerning that particular person’s competence or professional qualifications. SAA does not specifically recommend any particular physician or person over another. As a patient, your browsing of the following for a listing constitutes a full release of SAA of any and all liability that may arise out of or in connection with treatment by physicians or other persons on this list.
Speakers at at Meeting:
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