I’m a female U.S. Army Veteran with Lupus. I would like to spread the word of Lupus. Through worldly knowledge about the disease, there will be hopefully be less discrimination in today’s society and further research leading to cures.
I’m young and seemingly healthy looking, but I’m not exactly healthy. I have Lupus, and my health changes as drastically as an elevator changes floors. I’m healthy; I’m sick. I have my ups and downs. My doctors know it, and I know it.
Sometimes I can walk for what seems like miles. Sometimes I can stand for hours on end. Then, there are the days where I can barely get out of bed, and if I do have to walk, the pain becomes so severe, my heart palpitates unmercifully, and I struggle to get a gasp of air.
For that reason, my doctors used their best discretion. I required a disability-parking placard. I didn’t want it I needed it. Without hesitation, the Motor Vehicle Administration handed me a special disability license plate. The MVA noticed that not only was I a 100 percent disabled veteran. I also had my doctor write that I have lupus and the symptoms that the disease created.
All too often when I park in the handicapped spot, I am greeted by nasty glares from people. I’ve had some individuals have the audacity to approach me and state, “You’re too young to be handicapped. You can’t park there.” Or they’ve had the nerve to say, “You don’t look disabled.”
I should have a T-shirt a post-it sticker that reads, “Just because I am disabled doesn’t mean that you have to see my injury. I have a hidden disease called Lupus. Don’t judge me prematurely!”
Sometimes, I turn my head in embarrassment if I get the stares, but once somebody confronts me, although initially I feel hurt, I decide that it is best to tell my accuser about my disease. “I have Lupus, a rheumatological disease”.
Often the accuser will pause, look a bit embarrassed, scratch his or her head, and state, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what Lupus is.” Then, I try my best to explain the illness.
After my explanation, the accuser has always been very apologetic. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I wished I had known! I never would have judged you.”
If you have Lupus or know somebody else with the disease, please spread the word so that society will become more knowledgeable. Through the empowerment of knowledge, there will be more of a chance of research leading to cures!
Kathleen Wood
Annapolis
Letters
She doesn’t look disabled, but appearances can be deceiving
- Letters
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‘Forgotten warrior’ not forgotten
The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War.” My generation remembers the Battle for LZ X-Ray at Ia Drang, The Tet Offensive, and Khe Sahn of the Vietnam War.
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Organization needed to help utilize the Potomac River
I am a committee remember on the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway which stretches from Palmetto to Venice, Fla.
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Reducing meat consumption can help ease climate change
A review of 12,000 papers on climate change, in the May 15 issue of “Environmental Research Letters,” found that 97 percent of scientists attribute climate change to human activities.
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Maryland has stopped being “The Free State”
I am a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and, last but not least, the National Rifle Association. I am a yearly member of the American Legion.
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Save the Bridge Program
Please do not close the Frostburg United Methodist Church Bridge Program. The community and many families need this program. Let me enlighten you about a few things.
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Town of Westernport needs a police force and a curfew
Since the consolidation of Bruce and Valley high schools the town of Westernport rapidly deteriorated from what was once a quite respectable community to a community in a decline in residents, and along with that came a collapse in local government due to lack of knowledge and bad decisions that set the town of Westernport back 60 years.
One bad decision was to give up their police force, and with no constant visual law enforcement it has created an open range for drug dealerss, addicts, thieves, drunks and speeding vehicles that choose to ignore our city laws and speed limits and have totally disregard for the safety of the citizens who are on the streets, especially the children who are like deer, you don’t see them until their in front of you. -
Financial gutting will damage school system
I am writing in response to the Allegany County Commissioners’ efforts to cut local education spending to the lowest possible level allowed under state law.
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Cemetery organization plans events to mark Memorial Day
This upcoming Memorial Day marks the 30th anniversary of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization (CHCO).
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Outside water customers pay for town’s mistakes
The following is the opinion of the individual and in no manner reflects the opinion of any other person or organization.
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We’re twisting the meaning of the Founding Fathers’ words
I really had to chuckle when I read a recent comment someone made in a northeastern publication: “I’d like to suggest that Congress make a tiny change in our Second Amendment that would more accurately reflect the Founding Father’s intent (to wit): “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear muskets, shall not be infringed.”
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‘Forgotten warrior’ not forgotten
