First Lady to deliver special message Autoimmunity is a range of neurological conditions that afflict many people but often misdiagnosed or simply misunderstood. They arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. In other words, the body attacks its own cells. Autoimmunity manifests in many forms and often appears without warning or apparent cause. It may “deceive” doctors by starting off as any of the common disease with symptoms of vomiting, temperature rise and loss of appetite and occurs in more women than men and as yet there is no known cure, and once struck, patients can only hope to manage the condition with drugs including steroids. Autoimmunity can lead to loss of movement in some or all the limbs, blindness, incontinence and all manner of disabilities. Examples include Multiple Sclerosis/Devic’s Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Myasthenia Gravis, and Type 1 Diabetes. Generally, these are diseases of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Many of the people in the disabled community are actually “victims” of neurological disorders arising out of autoimmunity. Physiotherapy is a highly recommended intervention together with targeted drugs. It is a very expensive and distressing condition that requires constant attention, monitoring and evaluation. Sharecare Ghana was established five years ago to mainstream this debilitating but ignored condition in Ghana’s healthcare delivery system. Since its establishment, Sharecare has been able to advocate on many national and international platforms the plight of auto immune sufferers in the country. It has forged links with the medical community, especially the Noguchi Institute of Medical Research at Legon and belongs to the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) and IAPO, the International Association of Patients Organizations based in London. The coordinator is Nana Yaa Agyeman and has members from all over the country. More information can be found on www.sharecare4u.org. The organization is hamstrung due to paucity of funds for operation but has received donations from individuals and organizations. First Lady Lordina Mahama would be the guest of honour at the 5th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday June 29 2013 at the Accra Rehab Centre. Issued by Sharecare Ghana Nana Yaa Agyeman, Coordinator Accra