Don't Talk About My Mommy! : Judge Judy and Lupus

Hey Lovelies!

Apparently, all it takes to get me out of a blogging hiatus is to get really really mad.

On October 11th, Judge Judy was a guest on the show The Kelley File on Fox News. Usually I like her straight talk no nonsense approach to things. I appreciate that she encourages people to take responsibility in their own lives. However on this occasion she lumped people suffering from the disease Lupus in with drug addicts and alcoholics as people expecting government handouts.

Here is the clip, if you fast forward to about minute 6 its when she puts her foot all in the poo.




I find Judge Judy's ignorant and misguided comment about Lupus INFURIATING! My mother was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus a year before she became my mother, and to lump her in with people who simply 'don't want to work' so they can be cared for by the government is insulting and upsetting. 

Anyone who knows my mother knows putting her in that kind of group is false. She didn't just go to college she got SEVERAL degrees! She is a published author. She was an accomplished professional before she became disabled. She raised me ON HER OWN following my parent's divorce. This is not a woman that expects to be cared for by the government or anyone else. My mother did all these things while suffering from complications from Lupus including diabetes, several strokes, thyroid issues, and arthritis to name A FEW.

I understand that Lupus is often misunderstood and MANY people assume that nothing is wrong with my mommy because you can't SEE it. However for a public figure like Judge Judy to go onto a nationally televised show and make such EGREGIOUS comments about something she clearly knows very little about makes it even harder for people who suffer with a legitimate disease. 

I am very disappointed in a woman who I have generally admired in the past. I hope that she sees the error of her statement and issues as apology to those suffering with this 'invisible' disease. As a young woman I testified before the legislature of this great state of Ohio to explain how my mother suffered and why this disease needs attention, funding and research. I also spoke at many Lupus Foundation of America awareness events. Clearly this is something I will be getting involved in again.  

 You can also go to the Lupus Foundation of America's website to see their open letter to the judge. You can also find more information about Lupus and its effects there as well. http://www.lupus.org/index.php/blog/entry/open-letter-to-judge-judy