What would you say about a disease that
makes you as tired when you wake up as you were when you went to bed ... every single
day? Certainly that it's tiresome and annoying, right? Okay, what would you say if it
gives you arthritis in your hips, knees and ankles so bad that even if you can muster
enough energy to get out of bed, it is excruciating to walk to the bathroom? Sounds
pretty nasty, doesn't it? Now, how about if I told you that when you finally make it to
the bathroom, you have to pray you will be able to pee? Why? Because this disease also
attacks the kidneys, in some cases causing complete renal failure.
This sounds like a horrible affliction.
Well, wait a minute, I'm not through yet. What would you say about a disease that inflames
the joints in your hands to the point you can't hold your toothbrush to clean your teeth?
Or that it takes nearly twenty minutes to do something as simple as putting on your socks
because every joint you use to perform such an easy task burns beyond imagination? This
is beginning to sound like one mean, painful ailment you wouldn't wish on your worst
enemy, isn't it? There's more.
What would you say about a disease
that causes mucus membrane anywhere within your body to bleed uncontrollably without
notice, and without fail? Nose bleeds, blood from your gums, your intestines or
genitals ... while you're driving in your car, or serving dinner to guests. What if
every other day you look in the mirror and see the mark of the wolf or the butterfly,
that telltale rash sufferers of this insidious disease know oh so well? Now, what if
I told you that to look at this person, you would think they look wonderful, despite
all this pain and suffering they endure each and every day?
Okay. What if I told you this nasty,
nasty auto-immune disease is Lupus? Lu-what? Lupus.
L - U - P - U - S. Doesn't mean a thing to you,
does it? The sad truth is, very few people even know this disease exists, yet, Lupus
afflicts more people than muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis,
leukemia, Addisons Disease, cerebral palsy, sickle cell anemia, HIV and AIDS combined.
Still, with all those who are affected, awareness is limited and research is
underfinanced. Do I have your attention? Now you may ask, "but what can I do?"
The
Lupus Foundation of America and the
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Foundation are
conducting a campaign to raise Lupus awareness. If you were paying close attention, you
may have noticed it at the beginning of one of the World Series telecasts. The
Get Into the Loop campaign's
primary message is that Lupus is a widespread, little-recognized, and potentially fatal
disease.
Help spread the word. Grab one of these
Get Into the Loop graphics by writing
to me, then post it on your web site. Buy some of the Get Into the Looplapel pins to contribute
money to research, and so people will ask about that orange loop you are wearing.
Write to your congressperson recommending they allocate more money for research into
causes and cures. Mainly, learn everything you
can so you can tell others about this very serious disease that affects mostly
young women. It is time for the suffering to end, so Get Into the Loop.
Another one of those great binary
days. It isn't often that happenings around here show up in the national news, but a
15 year old high school student here in the valley has the county Board of Education
up in arms. The girl wore a white T-shirt with an anarchy symbol across the front to
school last week. She also handed out fliers and wished to found an after-school
anarchy club. She was suspended by the principal for creating an atmosphere not
conducive to learning. The teen filed suit in circuit court this week after the
principal prohibited her from wearing the T-shirt with anarchy symbols and anti-war
messages.
I'm all for free speech, but c'mon.
Maybe when this girl is 18 she will have a beef. She can sue for protection of her
rights all she wants when she reaches majority age. Her mother, though disagreeing in
principle with the girl's beliefs and opinions, still encouraged the lawsuit against
the high school and the Board of Education. Frivilous poppycock. The principal
protected the girl's safety by sending her home from school last week. Some students
have confronted her. Others have written letters that criticize and threaten her.
Free speech is very important in
this country. Anti-war sentiment has an important history in the United States as
well. High school is not the time or place though. This activity is nothing more
than a disruption and an unnecessary cost to taxpayers. The circuit court judge
hearing the lawsuit agreed.
Computer Operations Management:
where proven strengths in perception of requirements, observation of results, analysis
of trends, and problem solving combined with expertise in systems administration will
contribute to streamlined and effective service, as well as increased productivity and
profitability.
