THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603070053
SECTION: REAL LIFE PAGE: K3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ALEXANDRIA BERGER
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
SUSAN L. MAJETTE is an exquisite black girl, suffering from an ugly multi-colored disease. Diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus) at the age of 23, she spent much of her time researching this autoimmune disease, whose name means ``wolf,'' in Latin.
Like this predatory animal, lupus sneakily jumps from one organ of the body to another, attacking and fleeing. Many afflicted with SLE are allergic to the sun, exposure causing joint pain and a facial rash. Hair loss, kidney problems and extreme fatigue are common. Lupus affects mostly women in their childbearing years. There is no cure.
Many tell stories of going from one doctor to another before being diagnosed. So it was exciting to receive the jacket cover for Susan Majette's first book, ``When Reality Shines,'' about her 12-year struggle to overcome this devastating disease.
``With God,' Susan writes, ``came spiritual healing and, subsequently, the miracle of physical healing.'' Susan's story, available at Waldenbooks, B. Dalton, Barnes & Noble, Beechams and Agape bookstores, is an important one, because new studies show faith can have an empowering effect on those stricken with the illness.
For more information on Lupus, contact the Lupus Foundation of America Inc., 4 Research Place, Suite 180, Rockville, Md. 20850-3226, (301) 670-9292, or your local chapter.
From retired Navy Cmdr. J. David Cicio comes an interesting inquiry. ``Why,'' he asked in a letter to Margaret DeHart, parking administrator, Norfolk Airport Authority, ``has Norfolk International Airport terminated its free parking policy in long-term parking for the handicapped?'' The answer he received is that the Airport Authority ``has chosen to implement these policies which directly reflect that of the City of Norfolk and other large commercial airports.''
First, I would like to remind DeHart and her boss, Robert S. Bowen, that leaders don't follow bad practices, they create good ones. Who says the city of Norfolk has the ``right'' policy? Second, Norfolk International is not Washington National, O'Hare, Atlanta Hartsfield, Kennedy, LaGuardia, Dulles, LAX, or BWI. You can tack the word ``International'' on a bus station, but it doesn't make it BIG. For my money, Norfolk International, which also has the fewest sky caps of any ``international'' airport, gets my Neanderthal Award.
Speaking of travel, here are some FYI notes for your file. From the New York Times News Service: Tour operators specializing in travel for the disabled include Flying on Wheels, 143 W. Bridge St., Owatonna, Minn. 55060; (800) 535-6790, fax (507) 451-1685, and Accessible Journeys, 35 W. Sellers Ave., Ridley Park, Pa. 19078; (800) 846-4537, fax (610) 521-6959. How about joining the Society for the Advancement of Travel for the Handicapped? It's at 347 Fifth Ave., Suite 610, New York, N.Y. 10016; (212) 447-7284, fax (212) 725-8253. Membership, which includes a quarterly newsletter, is $45 a year, $25 if you're over 65 or a student. Also, there is Travelin' Talk Network, P.O. Box 3534, Clarksville, Tenn. 37043, (615) 552-6670, fax (615) 552-1182. Travelin' Talk prints a 550-page directory listing 800 members, agencies and organizations specializing in travel for the disabled. The cost is $35. Membership, which includes an eight-page quarterly of resources, reports, discounts at hotels, places for van rental, and free subscriptions to publications, is $1 to $10 based on income. A real steal.
On a lighter note, thank you, Mrs. Florence Brunetti, for pointing out the movie boo-boo I made in my last column. ``For shame,'' she wrote, and well she should. A movie fan since the age of 5, this dear, eighty-something lady says, she's seen them all, ``from the silents to the talkies.'' Jennifer Jones didn't star in ``Johnny Belinda,'' Mrs. B. corrected. Jane Wyman did.
A final note: If you have had any involvement with the Kilmer Center, I'd love to hear from you. Keep on writing! MEMO: Write to Alexandria Berger, The Imperfect Navigator, c/o Real Life, The
Virginian-Pilot, 150 W. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, Va. 23510. by CNB