Why she’s in the news
Mary Judge of Webster was one of 142 advocates, nationwide, chosen by the American College of Rheumatology to participate in a Capitol Hill fly-in last month.
Between Sept. 10 and 11, Judge and other advocates attended or held 185 meetings with Congressional representatives and/or their staffers. Judge had appointments, for instance, with Senator Chuck Schumer, D, New York; and Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle, R, Syracuse, and New York Congressmen Richard Hanna, Peter King and Tim Bishop.
They advocated on three main points, the centerpiece being passage of the Patients’ Access to Treatments Act. The day after their trip, the bill had 10 new cosponsors, bringing the total to nearly 40.
Her motivation
“I jumped at the opportunity (to participate in the advocacy trip to Washington, D.C.). It’s rare for the average citizen to be able be part of something like this and walk those (Capitol Hill) halls,” said Judge, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis IN 2004.
She said her message was well-received in Congress.
“I think they liked hearing a personal story,” she said.
She explained that her mission was also to “build awareness,” and to educate members of Congress on what it is like to live with a rheumative disease, both personally and financially, each day, and the importance of the subspecialty of rheumatology.
“Rheumatologists are the experts in the diagnosis and treatment of all manifestations of these diseases,” Judge said. “(But) it is a low paying specialty and not many doctors go into rheumatology anymore. It is important that we have national and local support for these specialists who provide appropriate treatment, which saves medical costs, disability and work limitations, at early stages of the disease.”
The challenges
“People don’t get treated quickly enough,” Judge said. She added that some treatments, like infusions, can be $20,000 a month or more for people with rheumatic diseases. That means that if cost-sharing were to go up, many would not be able to afford their medications, and would become dependent on their families or Social Security disability, she said.
“It almost seems a no-brainer to me ... these medications allow people to be independent, active members of the community,” Judge said, adding that ongoing research also gives her hope for her own future. “We are on the brink of a lot of good, new treatments,” she said.
Her diagnosis
After slipping down a flight of stairs about eight years ago and injuring her foot, Judge was sent to a podiatrist, but says she still was having problems walking. Finally, a blood test determined she had rheumatoid arthritis, and she was referred to a rheumatologist. “My body thinks my immune system is the enemy,” she explained.
Why she’s in the news
Mary Judge of Webster was one of 142 advocates, nationwide, chosen by the American College of Rheumatology to participate in a Capitol Hill fly-in last month.
Between Sept. 10 and 11, Judge and other advocates attended or held 185 meetings with Congressional representatives and/or their staffers. Judge had appointments, for instance, with Senator Chuck Schumer, D, New York; and Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle, R, Syracuse, and New York Congressmen Richard Hanna, Peter King and Tim Bishop.
They advocated on three main points, the centerpiece being passage of the Patients’ Access to Treatments Act. The day after their trip, the bill had 10 new cosponsors, bringing the total to nearly 40.
Her motivation
“I jumped at the opportunity (to participate in the advocacy trip to Washington, D.C.). It’s rare for the average citizen to be able be part of something like this and walk those (Capitol Hill) halls,” said Judge, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis IN 2004.
She said her message was well-received in Congress.
“I think they liked hearing a personal story,” she said.
She explained that her mission was also to “build awareness,” and to educate members of Congress on what it is like to live with a rheumative disease, both personally and financially, each day, and the importance of the subspecialty of rheumatology.
“Rheumatologists are the experts in the diagnosis and treatment of all manifestations of these diseases,” Judge said. “(But) it is a low paying specialty and not many doctors go into rheumatology anymore. It is important that we have national and local support for these specialists who provide appropriate treatment, which saves medical costs, disability and work limitations, at early stages of the disease.”
The challenges
“People don’t get treated quickly enough,” Judge said. She added that some treatments, like infusions, can be $20,000 a month or more for people with rheumatic diseases. That means that if cost-sharing were to go up, many would not be able to afford their medications, and would become dependent on their families or Social Security disability, she said.
“It almost seems a no-brainer to me ... these medications allow people to be independent, active members of the community,” Judge said, adding that ongoing research also gives her hope for her own future. “We are on the brink of a lot of good, new treatments,” she said.
Her diagnosis
After slipping down a flight of stairs about eight years ago and injuring her foot, Judge was sent to a podiatrist, but says she still was having problems walking. Finally, a blood test determined she had rheumatoid arthritis, and she was referred to a rheumatologist. “My body thinks my immune system is the enemy,” she explained.
She now visits her rheumatologist every three months. She has developed new allergies, and if she gets even a common cold, doesn’t recover as fast as some people. She takes medications called biologics that have side effects, she said, yet they protect her joints “from falling apart.” She says she’s currently waiting for her insurance carrier to approve her next course of treatment.
Living with RA
“Sometimes in the mornings, I feel like I’m moving like everyone might think I’m C3P0 from Star Wars,” Judge said. “I feel like I’m moving in a robotic way ... But, having it has made me more compassionate — and life sweeter. When I have a good day, I run with it!”
She says she has learned that “balance is key,” and that when you have a disease like hers, “you need to educate yourself and know the questions to ask.”
She also tries to do a lot of volunteering in the community, she said, “because giving back makes me feel better.”
On becoming a health care advocate
“I am my father’s daughter,” Judge said with a smile. “Having a politician for a father, you’re exposed to a lot of issues, and since my Mom was a registered nurse, health care was always a topic of discussion in our house!”
