Educating Community, Providers & Professionals As a part of the grant, the Dayton UMADAOP disseminated information to Montgomery County residents, providers and professionals to increase knowledge and awareness surrounding lupus. “We sought out di erent rheumatologists in the Montgomery County area, did information booths and o ered a support group so that we can be able to o er more information,” says Prevention Educator and Program Lead Dominique Dixon. In the search to educate service providers, UMADAOP didn’t have to look far. e Dayton UMADAOP holds its o ce in an old hospital. “We found out there is a rheumatologist in the same building that we’re in,” Dixon says. Robinson says so far, she’s received a positive reaction from the physicians she’s spoken with in the greater Dayton area. Learning About Lupus e Dayton UMADAOP held a lupus education and awareness conference May 13 at Central State University-West, James Elam Hall. Hetlena Johnson, a renowned circuit speaker living with lupus, spoke at the event. Dr. Temeaka Gray, who is also a professor at the University of Toledo, also spoke at the event. e conference provided workshops to educate community members, professionals and providers about lupus as well as included a discussion around lupus from a patient’s perspective. e conference included a panel session where people asked questions related to lupus.
DAYTON UMADAOP SEEKS TO EDUCATE THOSE ON ‘THE GREAT IMITATOR’
e Dayton UMADAOP has received a $15,000 mini-grant from the Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE) LEAP National Program to provide lupus education and awareness in the community. Lupus, a di cult disease to diagnose, is more prevalent in African-Americans than in Caucasians, according to the Lupus Foundation of America.
UMADAOP Sta from left-right- Michelle Turner, Marketa Robinson- Ex. Director, Carl Mitchell, Dominique Dixon, Antheny Petty and center: Ethel Munlin
“THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN WITH HER SINCE SHE WAS 13.” - DAYTON UMADAOP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARKETA ROBINSON
The Great Imitator Lupus has been referred to as “the great imitator,” because its symptoms so closely mimic those of other diseases, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Symptoms of lupus can include in ammation, meaning pain, heat, redness, swelling, or loss of function at a particular part of the body, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Dayton UMADAOP Executive Director Marketa Robinson has experience with lupus. Her nearly 40-year-old sister was recently diagnosed with lupus. “ e signs and symptoms have been with her since she was 13,” Robinson says. Robinson’s sister would often experience a butter y type rash across her nose as well as unexplainable fatigue. Robinson says she thought the rash was a birth mark.
After learning more about lupus, however, Robinson says they learned a butter y type rash — especially across the face — can be a sign of lupus. Lupus occurs when a body’s immune system attacks its own organs, according to the Mayo Clinic. In ammation can a ect di erent types of body systems including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs, according to the Mayo Clinic. Substance use/misuse can become a factor due to self medicating to relieve recurring symptoms and can make lupus even more di cult to diagnose, Robinson says. A patient might notice they often feel fatigued or su er hair loss. A client might attribute these symptoms to their substance abuse, not realizing the underlying cause. e Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans live with lupus.
From left-right- Steven Gregory-Wright State Univ. Evaluator, Marketa Robinson, Hetlena Johnson-Keynote Speaker, Dominique Dixon, Dr. Steve Owens- Director of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE).
THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS LIVING WITH LUPUS, AS ESTIMATED BY THE LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA 1.5 MILLION
23
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker