Topic: OHIO: Wife of Tuscarawas County Commissioner Has LD
CaliforniaLyme
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Ohio
Metzger hopes state puts focus on Lyme disease Friday, October 26, 2007 By PAUL E. KOSTYU
COLUMBUS In the halls of the Statehouse, it's pretty common to see legislation that names a month after one cause or another. Gov. Ted Strickland signed a bill into law Thursday designating October as German Heritage Month. With 12 of them in a year, months share a lot of designations.
Some designations can seem pretty silly; getting one is routine, and journalists don't pay much attention.
Karen Metzger hopes her cause sparks some interest.
The wife of Tuscarawas County Commissioner Kerry Metzger, a former state lawmaker from New Philadelphia, testified Thursday on behalf of designating May as "Ohio Lyme Disease Awareness Month."
For Karen Metzger, there's more to it than naming a month. Lyme disease restricted her ability to walk. She had both knees replaced because of arthritis caused by the disease. It also affected her ability to move one arm. And her youngest son, Ryan, encountered neurological problems before he was diagnosed with the disease. They both had trouble getting diagnosed.
"The earlier Lyme disease can be identified, the greater the chances it can be successfully treated," she told members of the House State Government and Elections Committee. "If not treated soon after being bitten by the tick and the first symptoms begin to be observed, the person can begin to develop a multitude of long-term health problems."
The trouble is, said Leslie A. Pearce-Keating of Wooster, Ohio doctors think ticks that carry the disease stop at the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. She said she and her daughter had to go to Connecticut before being able to get proper treatment after years of trying to find someone in Ohio who believed they had the disease.
The committee approved House Bill 297, making the designation. It now goes to the full House.
Reach GateHouse Columbus Bureau Chief Paul E. Kostyu at (614) 222-8901 or e-mail: [email protected]
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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Ann-OH
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Hey, Sarah, you beat me to posting this! . I am so proud of Karen and Leslie, we all should be. They are getting some good responses and inquiries. Here is another article
COLUMBUS -- Karen Metzger and Leslie Pearce-Keating had to travel to out-of-state physicians to get accurate diagnoses for the Lyme disease that has afflicted them and their children.
On Thursday, they asked state lawmakers to approve legislation aimed at increasing awareness of the disease -- and potentially helping scores of Ohioans who may be infected but not know it.
"We have suffered unbelievable stress due to the lack of knowledge from the medical community and the world at large," Pearce-Keating said. "... (T)he sad news is the doctors in Ohio are still unaware of Lyme disease. I often wonder how many sick people are in my town, in my state."
Metzger added, "Fortunately, I learned about Lyme disease before I became permanently disabled or unable to work, but not everyone is so fortunate. I just want everyone to have a chance to be aware of this disease and to catch it early."
The two testified before the House's State Government and Elections Committee as proponents of legislation that would designate May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month. House Bill 297 was introduced by Rep. Jim Carmichael, a Republican from Wooster, after hearing from constituents stricken with the disease.
Gov. Ted Strickland and his predecessor, Bob Taft, issued proclamations marking the month, but Carmichael's bill would solidify the designation annually.
Lyme disease is spread through tick bites and can affect people and animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Early manifestations of infection include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. Left untreated, late manifestations involving the joints, heart and nervous system can occur. "
May is an appropriate month for the designation, Metzer said, because spring is when ticks and the animals that carry them (birds, deer, rodents) are more active and people begin spending more time outdoors. Metzger, wife of former state lawmaker and current Tuscarawas County Commissioner Terry Metzger, said she and her son have the disease. Pearce-Keating, who writes a regular column in The (Wooster) Daily Record (often about the disease), and her daughter and son also have been diagnosed with Lyme.
"It has taken a huge toll on our family," she said. "I have been unable to work full-time as a teacher. ... (My daughter) did not attend full days of school for nearly six years."
Following testimony Thursday, the State Government and Elections Committee voted to recommend approval of the legislation by the full chamber.
Marc Kovac is the Dix Newspapers Capital Bureau chief. E-mail him at [email protected].
CaliforniaLyme
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I am glad for you Ann*)!!)!*)!! You guys are doing a lot!!!!!!!!!!!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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Ann-OH
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There is a third article which I can't find right now. It was in another paper, but by the same author as the one Sarah posted.
There was a third person who was going to testify, but she was too ill. Her statement was given to all the committee members, however. She really tried to make it.
Here is the statement by Rep Jim Carmichael who sponsored the bill. I post it here to inspire others to get their state congress person to do the same in their states.
Ann - OH
House Bill 297 Sponsor Testimony
Designating May as ``Ohio Lyme Disease Awareness Month''
State Government and Elections Committee
October 4, 2007
Thank you Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee for giving me the opportunity to offer sponsor testimony on House Bill 297. This legislation will codify the designation of the month of May as ``Ohio Lyme Disease Awareness Month'' for the purpose of increasing public awareness of Lyme disease as a health concern.
May is already recognized nationally as Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and both Governors Taft and Strickland have signed proclamations the last two years recognizing May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Ohio for that particular year.
Lyme disease is spread by the black-legged tick which bites and infects humans and animals. Since 1984, Ohioans have reported nearly 1,000 cases to the Center for Disease Control from 83 of Ohio's 88 counties.
Lyme disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics if diagnosed early enough. However, according to the Center for Disease Control many cases go undiagnosed, and many more people do not get diagnosed in a timely manner.
I personally have met with numerous constituents of mine as well as residents from the surrounding area who have been adversely affected by Lyme disease and had difficulty getting diagnosed. Their goal is to raise public awareness about the disease in order to allow people to recognize the symptoms and get treated in time to be cured.
In conclusion, I urge your support for this legislation in order to raise awareness in Ohio about Lyme disease. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify. I would be glad to answer any questions you may have at this time.
In the near future, you will be hearing testimony from residents of Ohio affected by Lyme disease who will tell you about their struggles with this disease and will also be able to answer your questions.
As Introduced 127th General Assembly Regular Session H. B. No. 297 2007-2008 Representative Carmichael Cosponsors: Representatives Aslanides, Brown, Domenick, Evans, Fende,Flowers, Harwood, Hughes, Latta, Letson, McGregor, J., Miller, Peterson, Stebelton, Strahorn, Webster, Yuko
A B I L L
To enact section 5.2235 of the Revised Code to designate the month of May as Ohio Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That section 5.2235 of the Revised Code be enacted
to read as follows:
Sec. 5.2235. The month of May is designated as "Ohio lyme disease awareness month" to increase public awareness of lyme disease as a health concern.
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