|
Arthritis no match for Bathurst-bound Pearson |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 02 January 2008 |
Heading into the 2008 WPS Bathurst 12 Hour with two fresh new hips, 61
year old Bob Pearson could be the poster boy for Arthritis Australia –
coincidentally the official charity of the 2008 WPS Bathurst Motor
Festival.
Diagnosed a few years ago with arthritis, the long-time motor
racing competitor from Lagarno, Sydney, has had both of his hips
replaced in the past year to ensure he can keep competing in the sport
he loves at a national level – including the WPS Bathurst 12 hour –
even competing in the 2007 running of the event between hip operations.
Arthritis affects close to 20 percent of the Australian population both
young and old, with one in five diagnosed with that figure rising to
one in two when you look at the over 55 age group. Pearson was in
danger of becoming one of the many who are stopped from enjoying chosen
hobbies by the illness, however by seeking treatment he has ensured
this is not the case.
“I didn’t know what Arthritis was before I was diagnosed, except that I had a whole lot of pain,” said Pearson.
“I guess you could explain it as a wearing of the joints – you lose
all the ‘suspension’ in your bones and the result is a world of pain
and if I hadn’t had it addressed I wouldn’t be able to still be
competing like I do.
“Now, I guess you could say I’ve been bionic-ed – I have had two
new hips this year to help the problem which wasn’t assisted by years
of pounding the pavements and plenty of crashes since I started out
racing in 1965 in a Volkswagen.
“Replacement joints are a lot better these days than what they were
originally, it is like having a fresh start and certainly hasn’t held
me back in any way at all – if anything I am better than before and
anyone that is experiencing symptoms should get on with it and get
themselves looked at – if you don’t you could end up watching from the
sidelines.”
Pearson’s WPS Bathurst 12 hour co-driver, close friend and medical
advisor Doctor Anton Mechtler said that Pearson is a classic example of
the fact that even those with significant arthritis can overcome the
illness to continue to succeed at high levels in chosen interests as
well as in general life.
“Bob competes at a national level in motor racing – an extremely
physical sport which puts continuous and large pressure on the knees
and hips in any normal event let alone 12 hour endurance events,” said
Dr Mechtler.
“Like so many people dealing with the illness, Bob experienced pain
and stiffness and when we x-rayed him we found his hip joints had
completely worn away and needed to be replaced – we now sometimes joke
that his car has six ball joints – four in the car and two in him!
“He has taken the right step in seeking treatment and not just
believing it couldn’t be fixed – although it is true there is no cure,
treatment is available and does work, as is so strongly shown in Bob’s
case.”
Pearson and Dr Mechtler will be joined by a third driver aboard
Pearson’s Pro-Duct Motorsport entered Mitsubishi Evo VIII 4WD come
February’s second running of the revived endurance event.
Organisers of the WPS Bathurst Motor Festival recently announced
Arthritis Australia would continue as the Festival’s official charity
for the 2008 event. The peak arthritis organisation in Australia, the
body is supported by affiliate offices in every state and territory.
With nearly one in five Australians now suffering from a form of
arthritis the condition directly affects more than 18.5 percent of the
population and can indirectly affect their businesses, colleagues,
friends and family.
Arthritis is the major cause of disability and chronic pain in
Australia, with 3.85 million Australians affected at a cost to our
economy of more than $23.9 billion each year in medical care and
indirect costs such as loss of earnings and lost production.
Emotionally and socially, the hidden costs of arthritis are
immeasurable.
There is a widely held belief that arthritis is simply a
consequence of age, the pain of growing old. But it is not a natural
part of ageing. In fact 62 percent of all people living with the
disease are of working age and it can also occur within children.
The 2008 WPS Bathurst Motor Festival will be held at Mount Panorama
on February 8-10, incorporating the WPS Bathurst 12 Hour on Sunday
February 10.
|
News