UpFront
L A N G L E Y A D V A N C E | Tu e s d a y, J u n e 2 2 , 2 0 1 0 |
Policing
LangleyAdvance
Poole nabbed
What’s online News
Tourism valuable
Tourism infused an estimated $51.2 million into the Langley economy last year, according to a study released Monday. The study, commissioned by Tourism Langley, was Deborah Kulchiski intended to Tourism Langley “bring to light the significant contributions” the tourism industry has in the Langley area, said Deborah Kulchiski, Tourism Langley’s executive director. • More online
News
Cash for culture
The Langley International Festival is getting some federal support. Langley MP Mark Warawa announced $21,400 for the August event. The money is from the Building Communities through the Arts fund. • More online
Life
Art, rain or shine
This Thursday, June 24, Fields and Flowers Farm in South Langley is joining forces with entrepreneur Maryanne Lechleiter to host a Midsummer’s Eve event. It’s a fun, free evening of food, fashion, jewellery, and handcrafted art, an evening outdoor market to spotlight Maryanne Fraser Valley Lechleiter artisans. The Event organizer event runs, rain or shine, at the Fields and Flowers Farm, 900 232nd St., from 4:30 to 9 p.m. • More online
Click
for community
LangleyAdvance.COM
A3
by Roxanne Hooper
rhooper@langleyadvance.com
Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance
Dr. Allen Lehman’s research has relied on the fundraising efforts of people like Vickey Kidd, Shirley Tousignant and Kitti Tomik, members of the Arthritis Society’s Langley Community Group.
Arthritis
Sufferers welcome science Volunteers put a face on a painful disease. by Heather Colpitts hcolpitts@langleyadvance.com
Its sufferers typically look fine which is one of the reasons why arthritis, as a disease, is often not seen as seriously as it is. In fact, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis and even if many people have the same type, arthritis affects each person differently. “We know it’s a complex disease,” commented Nancy Roper, the interim executive director of the Arthritis Society of BC/ Yukon. That’s why the society’s mandate is helping those with the disease live better as well as funding research into care and cures. The society held a get-together last last Tuesday to honour its volunteers and donors. It was a chance to hear from Dr. Allen Lehman, a health psychology researcher who is studying arthritis thanks to funds raised by the society. He studied 222 couples in which one partner had rheumatoid arthritis. He was looking at how the other partner’s attempts to help and their understand-
ing of the illness, impacted the sufferers’ arthritis. While many spouses were sympathetic, they didn’t understand the level of pain, fatigue and physical limitations involved in having arthritis. Lehman explained that result-
ed in some spouses concluding that “it didn’t hurt that bad” or not understanding they might have to help open a pickle jar or help a spouse get dressed some days. That lack of support in turn ended up contributing to sufferers having worse health. “At the end of the day, what it tells us is that it affects not only those with The local group, all volunteers, has been active the disease but those around for years, fundraising and providing support, but them,” he noted. members recently decided to discontinue the group. Local volunteer Vickey Kidd The community group provided support and is pleased to see health proeducation for those with arthritis and their families, fessionals realizing the impact as well as doing fundraising. on the family and friends so patients often felt a lack of The Langley Community Group officially started in support. 1987 but has its origins back in the 1960s when “We were always isolated,” Mary Pack, a Langley teacher who started the she said of patients. “Nobody society, visited here in her quest to raise funds. thought about bringing in the The group became official in 1987 and has family.” contributed more than $400,000 to the society Lehman has also started over the years. studying First Nations comAs its last official act, the Langley Community Group munities, where the arthritis went to the bank. rates are about 27 per cent, compared to 16 per cent of “We cleaned out our bank account,” said longtime the general B.C. population. group leader Vickey Kidd. “Aboriginal Canadians are The money, $31,419, was given to the society, and often seen earlier, younger” earmarked for education, equipment and research and onset is often more for juvenile arthritis, as well as helping send some severe, he noted. young patients with the disease to summer camp. His research has shown The Arthritis Society of BC/Yukon still maintains the biggest issue is a lack of its local office, in Langley Mall, which operates access to health professionMonday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Fraser als. Only 16 per cent of First Arthritis Centre provides service to the region and Nations sufferers had seen a can be reached at 604-514-9902. rheumatologist.
Community group
A wanted Langley man was put back behind bars this weekend. Police are crediting the public with aiding in the arrest of 37-yearold Jamie Harvey Busher Poole. He was wanted on three warrants, Jamie Poole RCMP Cpl. Holly Wanted by Langley RCMP Marks said last month when the Langley Mounties first announced their hunt for this man, and sought public assistance. Poole’s takedown began Saturday afternoon when he was spotted in the area of 64th Avenue and 264th Street and the police called. “He was located and a foot pursuit ensued,” Marks said. A police dog team was called in, but he managed to elude police – temporarily. Another call came in a short time later saying he was “riding his bicycle north on 272nd Street, near 94th Avenue.” This time, he jumped off his bike and ran, again with officers giving chase on foot. This time their efforts proved fruitful. Poole was caught in the area of 84th Avenue and Lefeuvre Road. His outstanding warrants stem from a series of events over the past year. The more serious charges against him related to a domestic violence complaint on March 30 at the Langley Hotel in Langley City. Poole allegedly attacked and threatened a victim during an argument. Charges of assault and uttering threats were laid. As well, he faces theft charges that date back to July 2009. He was charged after police were called to the 4900 block of 232nd Street. A suspect fled in a vehicle, but was arrested nearby, and stolen property was recovered.