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Concert to raise awareness of Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus.
The very name is intimidating.
Lupus is a disease that is so complex, it is difficult to estimate how many people are affected by it. In addition, because it is “systemic,” it affects many parts of the body.
A few of the many symptoms of lupus, an autoimmune disease, include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever, red rashes that occur mainly on the face, sun sensitivity and hair loss.
Rush Springs resident Joe Slawson, 52, was diagnosed with lupus a year ago - after a lifetime of unusual, unexplained symptoms.
“I didn’t know what was wrong with me,” said Slawson. “When I was a little kid, the heat affected me so bad that I would pass out and have to be carried back home.”
At 23, Slawson developed unusually dry skin, another symptom, and he was fatigued most of the time.
Mystified by Slawson’s symptoms, his doctors removed his gall bladder hoping to solve Slawson’s health problems.
“All that did was keep me from eating things I want to eat,” said Slawson.
When he was diagnosed with ADHD, doctors prescribed Ritalin, which Slawson says helped a lot.
A deputy with the Grady County Sheriff’s Office, Slawson was forced to quit because, with the pain and the fatigue, he couldn’t keep up.
Finally, when Slawson developed a red, butterfly-shaped rash on his face, a doctor from a Chickasha clinic took one look at him and said, “That’s lupus.”
Slawson’s reaction was, “What’s lupus? Can you give me a shot and fix it?”
The answer was no because there is no cure.
Now on a regimen of medications, Slawson has good days and bad days, but his condition is considered stable.
“They say my chances of living a good, long life are good,” said Slawson. “
A vocalist, entertainer and songwriter, Slawson has helped put together a “Lupus Fun Fair, A Day of Awareness,” to help increase awareness of lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
The event, which will take place Saturday, Oct. 18 beginning at 11 a.m. at the Coffee Creek Music Complex four miles north of Marlow, will feature more than a dozen country groups, including the Snake River Gang, a western reenactment group.
Slawson, who is known as “Ace Cannon” when he is with the Snake River Gang, will be on stage singing several times during the event.
For information, call Slawson, 580-476-2124 or Debbie Wortham, 580-641-0868.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
