Committees and Councils

Simone A. Hughes

Simone Hughes, a native of Calgary, is the Alberta representative for the Consumer Advisory Council. In 2001, Simone was surprised by a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. She says the news hit her “hard and heavy just like a sledgehammer.” She was referred to a rheumatologist right away, but the trial and error of finding the right medication was gruelling. At the time of her diagnosis she was living in a small community, which meant she had to travel frequently to Edmonton, meanwhile learning to cope with the pain and all of the changes in her life. Since the onset of this disease, she has had both of her hips replaced.

Simone has been living on her own since 2001. She has two adult children: a son in Calgary and a daughter in Red Deer.

During her working life, Simone has been a beautician, a stay at home mom (for ten years), and an active volunteer in many different fields. Her last position as an elementary school librarian was very rewarding and very difficult to let go after 13 years, but due to her disability she was unable to continue working.

In Red Deer, Simone was an active volunteer with the local Arthritis Society until the office closed in 2006. She was also mentoring to become part of its Speakers’ Bureau and acted as a replacement member of the Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance Steering Committee for a couple of months, which was a new and exciting experience for her.

Now living in Central Alberta on permanent disability, Simone is becoming more involved with the fight against arthritis for others and for herself. Feeling more educated about her disease and living a better and fuller lifestyle, she believes that everyone has the chance to make a difference. Simone is excited to be working with others on the important goal of building a strong voice for people with arthritis and for the researchers who are working towards a cure.
 

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