http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20130311/NEWS01/130311023
Lyme disease forum brings some hope for those in pain
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Emotion on display at Lyme disease forum: Emotion on display at Lyme disease forum
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STONE RIDGE — More funding for reseach, and better education both of doctors and patients were among the messages that came out of a forum on tick-borne diseases held in New York City today and simulcast at Ulster County Community College.
The event featured a bipartisan group of members of Congress, as well as leading physicians and scientists. It sought to increase public awareness about the impact of tick-borne diseases, most notably Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is the most common and fastest growing vector-borne, infectious disease in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Locally, Dutchess and Ulster counties have had among the nation's highest rates of infection.
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., along with U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, have announced they will re-introduce legislation that would establish an advisory committe focusing on tick-borne diseases.
"I believe when the story of Lyme disease is written," Blumenthal said, "it will be the story of patients standing up and being heard."
Among those listening to the simulcast were Howard and Karen Osterhoudt of Napanoch. Howard Osterhoudt, 57, has suffered with Lyme disease for years. Their daughter Megan also has the disease.
"I am excited people are finally recognizing what is going on here," Karen Osterhoudt said. "But there is still a long way to go."
See Tuesday's Poughkeepsie Journal for more details. To read the Journal's on-going series "No Small Thing," go towww.poughkeepsiejournal.com/lyme.
