Ohio Jewish Chronicle. (Columbus, Ohio), 1991-08-29, page 01 |
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• I ? IM ii jur The Ohio Jewish Chronicle Serving Columbus 'and Central Ohio kwish Community for Over 60 Years VOLUME 69 NUMBER 35 AUGUST 29,1991 19 ELUL 5751 DEVOTED TO AMERICAN AND JEWISH IDEALS Sept. 22 Bqnds lunch to honor four women page 2 Failure of Soviet coup gain for Jewish minority page 3 Hoenlein to speak at Federation meeting page 4 Adult Mini School to open Oct. 8 page 6 POSTAL UPDATE • Unfortunately, the OJC is continuing to experience problems with prompt postal delivery. Last week,' subscribers in the 43213 zip code did not receive their Chronicles until Saturday. The Post Office is cur; rently trying to determine what happened to cause this delay. *'■ , All papers are mailed at the Main Post Office on Wednesday, for Thursday delivery. If you do not receive your Chronicle on Thursday, please call our:' Post|d Hotline, 337-2058, and leave your name, address arid phone number.' We will forward your complaint to, the Post Office and see that you receive a pm*. ... EARLY DEADLINE "■•"■•v',.".;...' '-ft>r ... Thursday3 Sept. 5 Noon, Thursday, Aug. 29, rThe OJC office will be closed Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of.Labor Day • mmmm In The Chronicle mmmmm At The JCC ........,..,,..,.........,..'., 6 Community \ ,".' 13-16 '■. Federation :.,....,....,..: .. 4,5 ,' Front p^ge ;,..,....,.,.•,."..* /......,, .2 Lifecycle ...,,., J.,....,,!...',,. 8,9 Marketplace 11 JJJewr6eneration ...,..,..,...,....,.. 7 Synagogues ..:... .*,.... 10. Viewpoint .,;,.;;.. 3 iT- •* Ohio Hist.Society Libr 19B2 Veima Ave. Columbus, Ohio • CUMP JL FIGHT AGAINST ALS Local couple challenges devastating disease By Kathy Leese Most neurologists prefer not to take on the challenge of a disease as complex and frustrating as ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Most neurologists' wives are even less involved in their husband's work, let alone something as emotionally draining as ALS. But then, Mark and Janet Glasberg are not your typical couple. Dr. Glasberg is medical director of Neurosciehces at Riverside Methodist Hospitals in Columbus and is an expert in the field of ALS, nationally known for his work in that area. Together he and his wife share a passionate interest in ALS and the patients and families that they work with. ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a motor neuron disease. It is characterized by the degeneration of a select group of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which leads to progressive paralysis of muscles. The disease includes muscle weakness and stiffness and eventual paralysis of muscles controlling vital functions such as speech, swallowing and respiration.' Mental function is unaffected. It is not a rare disease and affects both men and women, young and old. A native of Philadelphia, Dr. Glasberg became interested in ALS after his graduation from Jefferson Medical College, while a fellow in neuromuscular diseases. It was not, however, until he was practic ing neurology in Detroit that it became his main focus. "In my fellowship in neuromuscular diseases, I found ALS patients to be quite fascinating. However, it was not until I started at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and saw there was a great void in patient care, with no neurologist specializing in that area, that I became increasingly more interested," he said. EJr. Glasberg goes on to explain that "it was particularly fascinating to me and was an area that not only involved my scientific interests in motor neuron diseases, but also involved my interests in comprehensive patient care and legal and ethical issues. I never thought of going into a less demanding area of neurology, because of my marked interest and fascination with Alii." Janet Glasberg's interest in ALS began even before she met her husband, while work-" ing in a VA hospital in Dallas, Texas. She was involved in a research project studying the role of-lead in ALS. After the two were married in 1983, it became a true team effort. Prior to his arrival in Columbus last fall, Dr. Glasberg was director of the Henry J. Hoenselaar ALS Clinic at Henry Ford Hospital. A multi-disciplinary clinic, it was considered a model, for other ALS clinics across the country. Dr. Glasberg is convinced that the team approach to ALS provides the best possible care for the patient. "Since there is so much we all do not know about ALS, having a group of people who have both an interest and expertise in the disease makes patient care so much better. Our conference after clinic is quite important, and it is where a treatment plan is developed. Also, patients develop closer relationships with some health professionals than with others. For some people,-the social worker may be the best counselor, while for others it is the neurologist and for some others, it may be the clinic coordinator," he explained. The two have been touched in different ways by their involvement with ALS patients and their families. For Janet, there was the first ALS patient she met, a man, who she said, "used to climb oil rigs and then he could not change a light bulb. This stark contrast from the very strong to the very weak fascinated me. How do people emotionally cope with this? I always enjoyed the patients I dealt with. They made each day valuable ... something most of lis forget to do." Additionally, she -recalled the woman who took care of her husband, son and daughter, all of whom had ALS. "What heartbreak that must have been," she says. "When I look through my computer list of patients, I remember a special quality, sense of humor, courage or dedication of each one. I smile to myself thinking of them." For her husband, the patients act as.inspiration and teachers. "I believe what I find most enjoyable are the patients themselves and how courageous they are and what they teach me about being human and living life," he said. The couple are all too well aware of the frustrations of the disease. "The biggest challenge of ALS is to constantly adjust to your body changing," Janet explained. "You have to be flexible and creative. The one blessing is that 95 percent of the patients are mentally intact. As long as they challenge themselves to continue thinking, they can still be productive people." For her husband, there is yet another angle. "The most frustrating thing, obviously, is that the disease is so severe and virtually all of my patients will eventually die. In addition, the disabilities occur so rapidly that as soon as one problem may be improved or stabilized, for example, by either therapy or orthotics, then a new disability occurs which worsens the situation," he noted. "It is difficult not to have a simple answer such as 'take this medication and you will get better." However, I have found that by being honest and truthful with people and letting them know I am a resource for information as well as support to them and'that I will do whatever I can to help them have the highest quality of life possible during the dis- - ease, then most patients are satisfied with what I can do," .see COUPLE pg. 16 . ■
Object Description
Title | The OJC the Ohio Jewish chronicle. (Columbus, Ohio), 1991-08-29 |
Subject | Jews -- Ohio -- Periodicals |
Place |
Columbus (Ohio) Franklin County (Ohio) |
Creator | OJC Pub. Co. |
Collection | Ohio Jewish Chronicle |
Submitting Institution | Columbus Jewish Historical Society |
Rights | This item may have copyright restrictions. Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information |
Type | Text |
File Name | index.cpd |
File Size | 3567 Bytes |
Searchable Date | 1991-08-29 |
Format | newspapers |
LCCN | sn91075643 |
Date created | 2016-10-31 |
Description
Title | Ohio Jewish Chronicle. (Columbus, Ohio), 1991-08-29, page 01 |
Searchable Date | 1991-08-29 |
Full Text | • I ? IM ii jur The Ohio Jewish Chronicle Serving Columbus 'and Central Ohio kwish Community for Over 60 Years VOLUME 69 NUMBER 35 AUGUST 29,1991 19 ELUL 5751 DEVOTED TO AMERICAN AND JEWISH IDEALS Sept. 22 Bqnds lunch to honor four women page 2 Failure of Soviet coup gain for Jewish minority page 3 Hoenlein to speak at Federation meeting page 4 Adult Mini School to open Oct. 8 page 6 POSTAL UPDATE • Unfortunately, the OJC is continuing to experience problems with prompt postal delivery. Last week,' subscribers in the 43213 zip code did not receive their Chronicles until Saturday. The Post Office is cur; rently trying to determine what happened to cause this delay. *'■ , All papers are mailed at the Main Post Office on Wednesday, for Thursday delivery. If you do not receive your Chronicle on Thursday, please call our:' Post|d Hotline, 337-2058, and leave your name, address arid phone number.' We will forward your complaint to, the Post Office and see that you receive a pm*. ... EARLY DEADLINE "■•"■•v',.".;...' '-ft>r ... Thursday3 Sept. 5 Noon, Thursday, Aug. 29, rThe OJC office will be closed Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of.Labor Day • mmmm In The Chronicle mmmmm At The JCC ........,..,,..,.........,..'., 6 Community \ ,".' 13-16 '■. Federation :.,....,....,..: .. 4,5 ,' Front p^ge ;,..,....,.,.•,."..* /......,, .2 Lifecycle ...,,., J.,....,,!...',,. 8,9 Marketplace 11 JJJewr6eneration ...,..,..,...,....,.. 7 Synagogues ..:... .*,.... 10. Viewpoint .,;,.;;.. 3 iT- •* Ohio Hist.Society Libr 19B2 Veima Ave. Columbus, Ohio • CUMP JL FIGHT AGAINST ALS Local couple challenges devastating disease By Kathy Leese Most neurologists prefer not to take on the challenge of a disease as complex and frustrating as ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Most neurologists' wives are even less involved in their husband's work, let alone something as emotionally draining as ALS. But then, Mark and Janet Glasberg are not your typical couple. Dr. Glasberg is medical director of Neurosciehces at Riverside Methodist Hospitals in Columbus and is an expert in the field of ALS, nationally known for his work in that area. Together he and his wife share a passionate interest in ALS and the patients and families that they work with. ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a motor neuron disease. It is characterized by the degeneration of a select group of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which leads to progressive paralysis of muscles. The disease includes muscle weakness and stiffness and eventual paralysis of muscles controlling vital functions such as speech, swallowing and respiration.' Mental function is unaffected. It is not a rare disease and affects both men and women, young and old. A native of Philadelphia, Dr. Glasberg became interested in ALS after his graduation from Jefferson Medical College, while a fellow in neuromuscular diseases. It was not, however, until he was practic ing neurology in Detroit that it became his main focus. "In my fellowship in neuromuscular diseases, I found ALS patients to be quite fascinating. However, it was not until I started at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and saw there was a great void in patient care, with no neurologist specializing in that area, that I became increasingly more interested," he said. EJr. Glasberg goes on to explain that "it was particularly fascinating to me and was an area that not only involved my scientific interests in motor neuron diseases, but also involved my interests in comprehensive patient care and legal and ethical issues. I never thought of going into a less demanding area of neurology, because of my marked interest and fascination with Alii." Janet Glasberg's interest in ALS began even before she met her husband, while work-" ing in a VA hospital in Dallas, Texas. She was involved in a research project studying the role of-lead in ALS. After the two were married in 1983, it became a true team effort. Prior to his arrival in Columbus last fall, Dr. Glasberg was director of the Henry J. Hoenselaar ALS Clinic at Henry Ford Hospital. A multi-disciplinary clinic, it was considered a model, for other ALS clinics across the country. Dr. Glasberg is convinced that the team approach to ALS provides the best possible care for the patient. "Since there is so much we all do not know about ALS, having a group of people who have both an interest and expertise in the disease makes patient care so much better. Our conference after clinic is quite important, and it is where a treatment plan is developed. Also, patients develop closer relationships with some health professionals than with others. For some people,-the social worker may be the best counselor, while for others it is the neurologist and for some others, it may be the clinic coordinator," he explained. The two have been touched in different ways by their involvement with ALS patients and their families. For Janet, there was the first ALS patient she met, a man, who she said, "used to climb oil rigs and then he could not change a light bulb. This stark contrast from the very strong to the very weak fascinated me. How do people emotionally cope with this? I always enjoyed the patients I dealt with. They made each day valuable ... something most of lis forget to do." Additionally, she -recalled the woman who took care of her husband, son and daughter, all of whom had ALS. "What heartbreak that must have been," she says. "When I look through my computer list of patients, I remember a special quality, sense of humor, courage or dedication of each one. I smile to myself thinking of them." For her husband, the patients act as.inspiration and teachers. "I believe what I find most enjoyable are the patients themselves and how courageous they are and what they teach me about being human and living life," he said. The couple are all too well aware of the frustrations of the disease. "The biggest challenge of ALS is to constantly adjust to your body changing," Janet explained. "You have to be flexible and creative. The one blessing is that 95 percent of the patients are mentally intact. As long as they challenge themselves to continue thinking, they can still be productive people." For her husband, there is yet another angle. "The most frustrating thing, obviously, is that the disease is so severe and virtually all of my patients will eventually die. In addition, the disabilities occur so rapidly that as soon as one problem may be improved or stabilized, for example, by either therapy or orthotics, then a new disability occurs which worsens the situation," he noted. "It is difficult not to have a simple answer such as 'take this medication and you will get better." However, I have found that by being honest and truthful with people and letting them know I am a resource for information as well as support to them and'that I will do whatever I can to help them have the highest quality of life possible during the dis- - ease, then most patients are satisfied with what I can do," .see COUPLE pg. 16 . ■ |
Format | newspapers |
Date created | 2009-10-14 |