May is Arthritis and Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month

At Shared Horizons, our mission is rooted in empowering people with disabilities to live with dignity, independence, and peace of mind. This May, during Arthritis Awareness Month and Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, we stand with our beneficiaries, their families, and communities in raising awareness, honoring resilience, and advocating for greater understanding of these chronic conditions.

Understanding Arthritis and Its Impact

Arthritis is not just a single disease—it refers to more than 100 types of joint diseases and related conditions that affect over 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the U.S. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and juvenile arthritis can cause chronic pain, mobility challenges, and fatigue that significantly impact daily life.

For people with disabilities, arthritis can present added complications in accessing care, maintaining independence, and managing other co-existing conditions. That’s where a Pooled Special Needs Trust (PSNT) like Shared Horizons comes in—providing a financial resource that helps cover medical treatments, assistive technology, therapies, and adaptive supports without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits.

Cystic Fibrosis: A Daily Battle, A Lifetime of Care

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic condition that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. People with CF face a lifelong regimen of medications, respiratory therapies, and hospital visits. Advances in treatment have dramatically improved life expectancy, but the day-to-day management remains intense.

For people and families affected by CF, a pooled trust can offer stability—helping to pay for out-of-pocket medical costs, nutrition support, and home modifications that make life easier and safer. Shared Horizons partners with families to ensure that funds are used wisely, flexibly, and always in service of the beneficiary’s well-being.

The Power of Community and Advocacy

Awareness months like these are an opportunity not only to learn about the conditions themselves, but to celebrate the resilience of those living with them. It’s also a time to acknowledge the caregivers, clinicians, and advocates who are making a difference every day.

At Shared Horizons, we believe financial stability is a key pillar of holistic care. By administering pooled special needs trusts, we help people with arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and many other disabling conditions access the resources they need to thrive.

This May, we encourage you to:

• Learn more about arthritis and cystic fibrosis at arthritis.org and cff.org.

• Share your story or someone else’s to spread awareness and reduce stigma.

• Support organizations and initiatives that prioritize disability rights and access to care.

Together, we can create a more inclusive future—where every person, regardless of their diagnosis, has the opportunity to live a full and supported life.

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To learn more about how a Pooled Special Needs Trust can support you or a loved one, visit www.shared-horizons.org or contact us today!