Lupus: A condition silently affecting women in the Black community

[jpbray]

Father Dingle is living out of the country right now. He is one of our more senior members who has done extensive work when he was living in the states educating black women at major HBCUs about the dangers associated with Lupus (Howard, Bowie State, etc...).

He has done much in the community to build our awareness and when most folks are giving public service a back seat to retirement, Father Dingle is still reaching out to give more. At more than 80 years old, he has seen alot, done alot and shared alot.

If you have any questions on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus post them right here. I knew a lady with Lupus, and all I could remember is that she said she had good days and bad days. That was years ago. She talked about it being excruciatingly painful on the bad days.

You have the audience of a subject matter expert in Father Dingle.

The best to you,
Joyce
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a hard name to pronounce, diagnose, understand, treat, and cope with. http://www.blackwomenshealth.org/site/News2?id=6688

Many years ago I came to Birmingham to help Ms. Green set up their Lupus Foundation. I was a close friend to ex-Mayor Ford in Tuskegee. Is he still a State Representative? I also helped the Black Mayor of Pritchard, Al. I accept your suggestion to do the leg work. Will you go to User CP and set up a new thread about lupus.

Respectfully, Father Dingle

[Father Dingle]

Hello Joyce, I thank you for setting this forum up for me. I have been in the interior of Bahia in a small rural town. I am planning to return to Southern Florida in a week or two. There is a growing feeling that Americans need to take care of Americans. With the war and the aftermath of Katrina still being talked about, the poverty, hunger, disease and poor educational opportunities in this country are becoming a concern……billions for overseas and little for here at home. Even Oprah’s wonderful school opening is being criticized! The critics are saying, “Why did she build it in Africa when there is such a need here in the black community?” Sooo HBCU Ladies, I will be back to the USA and expecting ``ya Girl talk`` to help me get the lupus message out. your buddy, father dingle Cass in jersey

[Father Dingle]

Remember! Lupus affects each one differently.
Just because you read something on these pages,
does not mean you will have this happen to you.

The button that I wear usually causes a person to speak up and tell me about their lupus or someone they know who has lupus. Too many times, it reminds them of a young Black woman who died from systemic lupus erythematosus

1. systemic lupus erythematosus, a hard name to pronounce
2. a hard disease to diagnose and treat
3. a hard disease to understand and live with

My interest in lupus began in the early '70s when I was Special Assistant for Federal Programs to the Mayoress of San Juan, PR and Vicar of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Guaynabo. Four of my parishioners (2 Black, 1 White, 1 Thai) and several employees in the City Hall had lupus.
As I ministered to them, I saw the need for a special ministry. A "Worker" to help them understand their lupus and a "Priest" to help them learn how to live with it. <<<>>>please tell your girl friend about this forum <<<>>> I remember an old AME Sunday School Hymn back in Camden, New Jersey that went something like this, ``you bring the one next to you and I will bring the one next to me. We will all get together and see what we can do.``

[jpbray]

Father Dingle, Good to hear from you! I'm in school in New York this week, but I got an idea today from one of the presenters to do a little research on other on-line outlets about the topic, connect and invite to our discussion. Please continue to provide us with info, and insight because we can read the chain of information and understand, even if there is not a particular question. I like how you broke it down enough so that I can digest it in a 10-min break today.

Thanks for your participation!
You are appreciated...

[Father Dingle]

Lupus is waging a silent war on Black women. It's estimated that 1.5 million Americans - many of them Black women - suffer from lupus. Here, we breakdown its impact on our bodies, our minds, our health, helping Black women learn more about this disease for better living.<<>>Father Dingle says that Black Women's Health Imperative website has this article and other good ones about lupus. click on. Revealed: Lupus' Attack on Black Women

[jpbray]

Video shows how the beautiful Mercedes, America's Next Top Model runner up was affected by Lupus and why its a relevant topic .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzFsg22uYLI

[Father Dingle]

Yes, this is a professional looking lupus awareness product. Tying it to two other silent killer diseases really adds to this serious message. This video shows that Mercedes, America's Next Top Model runner up is coping with Systemic Lupus, a very mean disease for Black women. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzFsg22uYLI