Support group informs public about complex illness

The Portmore Lupus Support Group (PLSG) is putting persons in the Sunshine City on high alert for the lupus disease, which is a complex illness in that the signs and symptoms resemble other ailments.

Recently, they held a church service at the Newland Seventh-day Adventist Church.

One of the most frustrating things for someone with lupus is being sick, but feeling like nobody believes you. People might think you're lazy or crazy, or both. You can also look nice and healthy, even though you feel very bad. Some signs and symptoms include unexplained skin rashes, anaemic pain in your legs and arms, urinary tract infections, kidney infections, fevers, mouth sores and overwhelming fatigue.

The Portmore Lupus Support Group was launched on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at Peart Medical Centre, 4 Mega Way (across from MegaMart).

Chrisendeen Douglas, president of PLSG, said the recent church service was geared at allowing people to have a greater knowledge of the disease. At the function, Dr James Peart conducted a power-point presentation on the disease. Pastor Roy Dennis of the Portmore Circuit of Churches commended the effort, shared the scripture and offered prayer. Dr Lori Playfair gave commendations as well, and delivered a short address on behalf of Minister of Health Rudyard Spencer.

Kerine Hamilton, public relations and communications officer of the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ), informed the meeting of the work of the LFJ. Dr Peart delivered a short but informative presentation on lupus. Approximately 30 persons were in attendance.

The objectives of the PLSG is to carry out the mandate of the LFJ, a voluntary patient organisation that has been in operation since 1984. It is the only nationwide organisation solely dedicated to helping individuals with lupus.

They do this by:

Educating: Providing continuing social services, medical education and assistance to arm patients with information and resources needed to make better health-care decisions and improve the quality of lives for the long term; there is no cure for lupus.

Counselling: Providing emotional and psychological support through counselling patients who may be depressed or in crisis due to the disease.

Basic needs: delivering basic necessities to meet immediate needs on a case-by-case basis.

The PLSG seeks to give a sense of belonging, of family togetherness to persons living with lupus and their families, through prayer and encouragement in the Lord and visitations at hospitals and homes.

The objectives of the PLSG is to carry out the mandate of the LFJ, a voluntary patient organisation that has been in operation since 1984. It is the only nation-wide organisation solely dedicated to helping individuals with lupus.