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Join Dragon Talks!

Living with an Autoimmune Condition can feel isolating, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

Dragon Talks is an hour Zoom gathering of MyFlareUp members. We offer support by sharing information and having informal conversations to those living with Autoimmunity.

Sometimes it helps to hear from someone who shares your experience. At our weekly sessions, you’ll meet people on different stages of their autoimmunity journey, who know what its like to face flares, fatigue and frustration. Whether you feel like sharing or just listening, we invite you to join us because your story counts.

Real Talks. Real People. Real Support.

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Dragon Talks

What are Dragon Talks?

Every week we try to cover a new topic and have regular presentations from invited speakers. We’ve recently run a 5-part series on Nutrition, the Impact of Stress and Depression for those with an Autoimmune Inflammatory condition and a series on Movement. Our sessions consist of sharing tips, experiences and encouragement so you consider the many aspects that can impact how you manage your condition.

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Dragon Talks

Connection and Support

Combating loneliness when managing an autoimmune or inflammatory condition is important. These conditions are frequently invisible, so many of us struggle in silence. We’ve created a safe and welcoming space for our community to find connection and learn from each together. Some members have been managing their condition for years and know what it’s like to face the frustration of flares-ups and fatigue. Our aim is to avoid isolation by creating a sense of community for our members. Together, we have a stronger voice which can help guide our advocacy efforts.

Dragon Talks

Access to Expert Speakers

Learn from specialists in health and lifestyle fields invited by our facilitators. We can share information about latest research and any upcoming clinical trials. We frequently partner with organisations who share a common goal with us so we can stay in the loop with latest news and information which we then share with our members.

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Dragon Talk Hosts

International Host: Dr Charmaine Jones

International Host: Dr Charmaine Jones

April 2026
Knowing the holiday season can be exhausting, we began gently this quarter. Dr Osman from the University of Alberta joined us to explore fatigue—especially as it shows up in Lupus. A recipient of the Lupus Canada Award, he brought both expertise and compassion to a topic so many in our community live with every day.

Continuing this theme, Shauna Brady, a nurse specialist supporting people living with Multiple Sclerosis, shared practical, everyday ways to live well with limited energy—tools that resonated deeply.

We’ve also been focusing on remission as a meaningful goal, while weaving in complementary support tools that may help reduce inflammation. Sessions included James Lorr of Urbana Acupuncture, along with a LIFT Project video on nutrition—so well received that a repeat viewing is already planned.

Looking ahead, there’s much to anticipate: a remedial massage therapist, a physician exploring shared decision-making, insights from occupational therapy, navigating the workplace with an invisible disability, and understanding the cardiac impacts of Scleroderma and other autoimmune conditions. We will invite our Scleroderma Victoria friends along for this session!

Between these sessions, there is always space for what matters most—peer support. Listening. Sharing. Walking alongside one another. If you have a topic you’d like us to cover, please let us know.

You do not have to do this alone.
We are your autoimmunity community.

Australian Host: Fay Baudains

Australian Host: Fay Baudains

April 2026
Dragon Talks Australia had a change in schedule this year, now running our Dragon Talks each 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. While I’m sure the Dragons will agree it’s a little strange not to see each other each week, we’re grateful for the catchups when we get them.

We’ve been continuing our series from The Lift Project, looking at the physical, emotional and social ways we can support ourselves and each other through our challenges. We welcomed new Dragons, explored what remission looks like and heard personal stories from our community on their autoimmune journeys.

Dragon Talks continue to be a safe place for fellowship and support through the ups and downs of living with an autoimmune condition. We’re always grateful to our Dragons who so warmly greet our new members and share their wisdom or experiences without judgement.

April 2026
If you know of someone who could benefit from the support of our community, please sign up below.

When do we meet?

Once a month we hold a Dragon Talks Lupus session with a specific focus on all things Lupus related, and all our members are welcome to attend.

Australia

Dragon Talks 1 (Australia)

Facilitator

Fay Baudains

The Monday session is primarily for our Australian members who are unable to attend during the working day.

These sessions are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 pm AEST/AEDT.

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North America

Dragon Talks 2 (International)

Facilitator

Dr Charmaine Jones

This session is for those who can attend in the morning and runs every Wednesday at 10 am AEST/AEDT (Tue 7 pm ET).

 

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Our online Dragon Talks sessions provide compassionate support as you navigate your autoimmune journey.

Being part of a community of people with similar experiences who can empathise, can be invaluable in keeping your spirits up and your mental health in check.

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Browse Dragon Talk Replays

Some of our most valuable talks have been recorded and are free to watch anytime on our website.

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Talkin’ Straight, Alice Springs

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Lupus are really big diseases that can affect any part of the body.  Eating vegetables and fruit help your body with nutrition, and gentle stretching and walking everyday is really important. Most importantly take your medication every single day, even if you feel better. It's important to continue taking them as your doctor said, without any breaks or stopping entirely.
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Look After Yourself and One Another in Tiwi Islands

This video is part of the Federal Government’s ‘Indigenous Australians Health Program’ (IAHP) which aims to close the health and life expectancy gap. The video was created with the support of the  Communities of the Tiwi Islands and the Tiwi Islands Health Clinics  Julanimawu clinic at Wurrumiyanga, Jipuwampilala clinic at Milikapiti and Pirlangimpi Clinic.
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Keeping Healthy The Good Way, Borroloola

This video is part of the Federal Government’s ‘Indigenous Australians Health Program’ (IAHP) which aim is to contribute to closing the health and life expectancy gap. It was created with the support of the Borroloola Communities and the Borroloola Community Health Centre.
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Autoimmune Conditions – Importance of Sleep

Poor sleep can worsen pain, inflammation, fatigue, and depression. For people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), sleep is crucial. The problem is that RA pain and stiffness can disrupt sleep, creating a vicious cycle. In this session we talk about the effects of sleep deficiency on the body and it impacts your health.
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Autoimmune Conditions – Importance of Exercise & Movement

The importance of movement on your body cannot be overstated – especially if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It can reduce pain and stiffness, improve your mood, strengthen your muscles for better joint support, help maintain your bone density, and also help lower cardiovascular risks – all of which make daily activities easier, improving the overall quality of your life.
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Autoimmune Conditions and the importance to Know Your Numbers

Dragon Claw’s own Dr Charmaine Jones was the driving force behind the need for a tool for people living with autoimmune conditions – a tool to their own symptoms and test results to empower them to be a more active participant in their treatment plan. Being able to show your medical practitioner a picture over time, to be able to better advocate for themselves. In this episode, rheumatologist Dr Daniel Lewis talks to us about the benefits of using a tool like this to help identify if medication is working for you, or if you need an adjustment.
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Contact Us

Want To Be Our Next Speaker?

Whether you want to share what you’ve personally learnt or if you are knowledgeable in a particular area – we would love to hear from you. This could be around maintaining physical, emotional or psychological health. It could be your experience with certain treatments or simply what’s worked for you. Complete the form with a brief description and someone will be in touch with you shortly.

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