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Clyde Beal: Group offers support to those with autoimmune diseases
Fred Ash, from left, Margie Fletcher, Kimberly Marcum and Rev. Tim Halloran are involved with the autoimmune disease support group at Crossroads United Methodist Church.
Purchase this photoMost of us have heard of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, and Type 1 Diabetes. They are just some of the common types of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmunity is present to some degree in all of us, usually it's quite harmless. However, when this condition becomes active, it can cause a broad range of illnesses.
About 50 million Americans, most of whom are women of childbearing ages, suffer from autoimmune conditions. Beginning symptoms may be general; such as fatigue, low-grade fever, skin rash and difficulty concentrating. Often, these conditions are construed as being psychological rather than physiological.
Kimberly Marcum has lived with lupus for more than four years. Her condition was misunderstood by family and friends, and often misdiagnosed by physicians. Tired of being unable to share her problems with others with similar conditions, Marcum decided to organize a support group for individuals who suffer from any type of autoimmune disease.
After sharing her concerns with the pastor of her church, Reverend Tim Halloran at Crossroads United Methodist Church, Halloran quickly provided Marcum with facilities to establish a support group meeting area. With the help and assistance of Gary Patton of St. Mary's Medical Center, they were able to get professional counselors to volunteer time attending meetings with the support group.
The group now meets at noon, for one hour, on the first and third Mondays of each month. After two years, they have 15 people who come seeking a little understanding with others who share similar problems. They invite anyone who wishes to come share their feelings or just sit and listen.
Fred Ash has been a part of these meetings for over a year and finds the support and understanding from the group to be most rewarding.
"Mrs. Marcum should be commended for starting a program like this. It really helps to be able to talk with people who understand how I feel," said Ash, who believes his medical condition has quite often been misdiagnosed.
Marcum said, "The symptoms of autoimmune disease should not be taken lightly, regardless what your friends think, what co-workers say or family. Find a physician who understands. It can affect your eyes, heart, legs, skin, cause hair loss and affect all major organs. Treatment involves everything from multiple medications to chemo, and most everything in between. It's also important to understand that autoimmune diseases are hereditary, and not communicable."
Margie Fletcher is one of the counselors from the extended campus of Lindsey Wilson College in Ashland, Ky., who volunteers time in helping support the group.
"There's a lot of depression associated with autoimmune diseases," Fletcher said. "It's only natural to feel confused and isolated when a cure is nearly impossible to find"
Marcum encourages any physician willing to speak to the support group to call her. Anyone wishing to become a part of this group, or if you just have a few questions, call (304) 736-4957.
Clyde Beal is a freelance writer living in Huntington. This is part of a series of articles bringing attention to those who volunteer their time supporting organizations in our community who would perish without their support. If you wish to become a part of this series, contact Night Local Editor Luke Damron at (304) 526-2753 or by e-mail at ldamron@herald-dispatch.com.
