Today I looked at the National Psoriasis Foundation website and saw that the spokesperson for the organization is CariDee English, winner of America's Next Top Model in 2006. I am not a fan of Top Model, so I really do not know much about CariDee, but I am so glad that NPF has a spokesperson. Seeing this made me realize that there is no organization in the US (or anywhere else to my knowledge) dedicated to curing psoriatic arthritis and there are no famous people afflicted with the disease that are speaking out. I am aware of famous people with rheumatoid arthritis - Kathleen Turner and Aida Turturro but I don't know of any famous individuals with PsA. Do you know anyone with PsA who is relatively famous that would be willing to be a spokesperson for the disease?
Twice now a bunch of people on the list have tried a letter writing campaign to Oprah to see if she would do a show on PA to spread the word (if you search the list archives using "Oprah", you'll find most of the posts). I'm not clear on whether she simply never responded, or stated that there wasn't enough general interest to warrant an episode on PA. How disappointing, especially when she does show after show on "My Favorite Things" and such. Anyway -- in the search (I had to go back to refresh my memory), I saw a couple of names mentioned that could be connected with PA: Kellie Martin, Paula Abdul -- I didn't read through all of the messages. Believe me, I am actively searching for new sources of support and ways to educate others. If we could find a way to get the word out and increase awareness, I would be thrilled.
Thanks for starting the blog. I'll be sure to check in every so often.