Why the Courthouse is Lit Orange
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum County Courthouse is one of the tallest structures in downtown Zanesville and routinely changes the color of its night time lighting to recognize various causes being supported in the community.
May is National Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder Awareness month and EDS-HSD Advocate Chloe Hittle is enlightening the public to the condition while experiencing the symptoms.
“What Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is… is it’s a genetic disease that affects the production and function of collagen in your body, which is a protein,” Hittle said. “So when that’s deficient, your muscles and your tissues are very weak and they don’t function properly. So basically what I’m trying to do is I’m trying to raise awareness for this disease and it’s not very well known and not very well studied.”
Hittle noted that the condition is not that rare but she’s had trouble finding healthcare because doctors are unfamiliar with the disease and the conditions surrounding it. Due to the wide array of symptoms, the disease is considered a spectrum and affects each person differently.
“For me it affects my larger joints like my hips, my knees, my shoulders. For my sister it affects her fingers, her toes, and it affects her autonomic immune system. It affects my everyday life because I have frequent dislocations and subluxations of my joints, from my toes to my jaw, every joint. It’s very painful and it’s an invisible disease,” Hittle said.
Experts liken the condition to normal joints being held in place with superglue and people with EDS having joints held together by chewing gum.
After being diagnosed with scoliosis with uncommon abnormalities at 10-years-old, Hittle was sent to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed with EDS.
Since Hittle turned 18, she has become ineligible to receive their care and for nearly two years, has been on a Cleveland hospitals waiting list who can provide EDS treatment.
Hittle is advocating for EDS-HSD to build awareness so that other people with the disease can have an easier way to find diagnosis and treatment as well as to have an online support network available.
You can find more information about EDS-HSD online. She also has a social media presence on Instagram at Share Your Stripes.
