Lyme disease a silent epidemic
The Huffington Post had an intriguing article in January that told the story of David Geraghty of Cumberland, Rhode Island, who died of Lyme disease last December.
Several years earlier, Geraghty had been diagnosed as having Lou Gehrig’s disease. But his wife believed he actually was suffering from Lyme. Her husband’s doctor, however, did not entertain the idea that Lyme was the cause of his health problems.
They decided it would be prudent for Geraghty to be independently tested for Lyme, which was not covered by their insurance. The results confirmed he had Lyme. But by then the disease already ravaged Geraghty, and he died shortly after the diagnosis.
There ought to be more awareness about Lyme disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that after two weeks of antibiotic therapy, patients may be symptom free, though a chronic case could last for months. But the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society states it takes months, sometimes years, of antibiotic therapy to finally be symptom free of the insidious disease.
Jack Bristow
Bangor
Mentally ill not criminals
A bill, LD 1577, proposed by Gov. Paul LePage presents the possibility of transitioning forensic patients from the Riverview Psychiatric Recovery Center to a mental health unit in the state prison. At first, the bill sounds like a wonderful solution to increase mental health services. However, after delving into its language, it seems to be completing the opposite.
As a social work student, it’s important to advocate for social justice for oppressed populations. This bill decreases social justice for individuals who are found to be incompetent to stand trial or not criminally responsible by reducing their rights to receive proper mental health services. If a judge deems someone incompetent to stand trial or not criminally responsible, then he or she is legally not guilty and should be given the proper services required for treatment.
This bill proposes the proper treatment is to house people who are legally innocent in a unit connected to the state prison. This would not create the therapeutic atmosphere necessary for treatment. It creates the perception that all people with chronic mental illness are criminals, and that is completely untrue.
Any bill dealing with people with chronic mental illness should increase access to mental health services that already exist. People who struggle with chronic mental illness have the constitutional right to receive treatment and mental health services, which will empower them to take control of their lives and achieve self-determination. To move forward in the future, we need to promote a culture of restoration instead of incarceration.
Kaitlyn Huff
Portland
Thanks, Maine police
I have always loved living in the country and have always felt very safe, but I recently was made uneasy after prowlers lurked around my home in the early morning hours while my family slept. So I contacted the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office. To be honest, I was somewhat apprehensive about contacting the police because I didn’t have much evidence and wasn’t sure they could help. I was wrong.
The sheriff’s office recorded the incident and sent notifications out to patrol units and Maine State Police. I received a call from a trooper who took all my information and detailed what actions he would take.
The following evening, when my wife and I returned home, still shaken by the prowlers, I was alarmed to see vehicle headlights moving slowly toward us as we approached our driveway. When the headlights turned to follow us down our to our home, I was relieved when I noticed the sheriff’s office insignia.
The deputy introduced himself to us. We chatted, discussed what I had reported, and he assured us he would be on the lookout for anything suspicious. We slept soundly knowing that a team of highly trained and professional police officers were protecting us.
It is indeed a blessing to have people willing to place themselves at risk to protect me and my family. We’re just one family from the middle of nowhere, but I know there are thousands more just like us all over America who fully support and appreciate what the police do.
Michael Kamorski
Levant