MOW article in 2 NJ newspapers

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http://www.injersey.com/news/story/0,1210,263425,00.html

Victim`s family battles illness

Published in The Courier-News 4/6/2000 see end of this for diffent title as

it went in two newspapers Bernadette

By SCOTT HOVANYETZ

Staff Writer

Bob Zubritsky of Bridgewater is getting ready to go to Washington, D.C., for

his daughter.

Six-year-old has suffered with Lyme disease for nearly two years.

The debilitating illness first showed its symptoms when she was 5 --

couldn`t walk for six weeks because of the pain in her hips.

She had to go to school in a wheelchair. Now, is walking again but

still must take two doses of powerful antibiotics daily to fend off the

disease.

" The worst part of it is, there`s no definite time when you get better, "

Zubritsky said. " Some people are sick for years. "

Just as frustrating is the lack of government initiatives to study Lyme

disease and find better treatments, Zubritsky said.

He said he has written 300 letters to congressional representatives and

senators asking for more support for Lyme research.

Next month, he will head to Capitol Hill to plead for help. Zubritsky plans

to participate in the annual Lyme disease rally May 3 in Washington. About

1,000 people are expected to attend, according to the Lyme Disease Foundation

in Hartford, Conn., which is supporting the rally.

Zubritsky said he hoped the rally would raise support for a bill, introduced

by Rep. , R-Hamilton Square, that would provide $125 million

for a five-year nationwide research and education program on the tick-borne

illness.

The bill has 35 cosponsors, about a third of `s goal of 100, said Andy

Napoli, spokesman for the congressman. Much work remains to be done.

Supporters of the bill are focusing their efforts on gaining the support of

legislators in the 10 states with the most reported cases of Lyme disease,

Napoli said. New Jersey ranks fourth on that list.

As of 1998, the latest figures available, Hunterdon County had the third

highest number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the nation. One of the

unlucky ones was S. Walters of Tewksbury, who said he has been

diagnosed with the illness five times since 1996.

Walters said he suffers from joint pain and must take antibiotics and pain

medication. Lyme disease made him so fatigued that he would sometimes faint.

" I`m living in a beautiful area like a national park, " Walters said. " But I`m

not comfortable going outside unless I`m covered from head to toe. "

Lyme disease, which is carried by the tiny deer tick, causes rashes, aches

and fevers. Untreated, it can cause permanent disabilities such as arthritis

and heart abnormalities.

The disease is not fully understood by doctors, and diagnostic tests designed

to spot Lyme infection are often inaccurate, Zubritsky said. The need for an

accurate Lyme disease test is one of the reasons why the bill is important.

" If people are concerned, contact your congressman, " Zubritsky said. " Just

feeling sadness about the situation does absolutely nothing. "

from the Courier News

Published on April 6, 2000

also published on the Home News Tribune same date

different title " Dad of girl with Lyme Disease will join D.C. rally "