Why the courthouse is lit orange – WHIZ

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum County Courthouse is one of the tallest structures in downtown Zanesville and regularly changes the color of its lighting at night to recognize various causes supported in the community.

May is National Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month and EDS-HSD advocate Chloe Hittle is enlightening the public about the condition while experiencing its symptoms.

“Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the production and function of collagen in your body, which is a protein,” Hittle said. “So when that is deficient, your muscles and tissues are very weak and don’t function properly. So basically what I’m trying to do is raise awareness about this disease that is not very well known and not well studied.

Hittle noted that this disease is not that rare, but she has had difficulty finding health care because doctors are unfamiliar with the disease and the conditions surrounding it. Due to the wide range of symptoms, the disease is considered a spectrum and affects each person differently.

“For me, it affects my larger joints like my hips, my knees, my shoulders. For my sister, it affects her fingers, toes and autonomic immune system. This affects my daily life as I have frequent dislocations and subluxations of my joints, from toes to jaw to every joint. It’s very painful and it’s an invisible illness,” Hittle said.

Experts compare this condition to normal joints being held in place with superglue and people with EDS having joints held together by chewing gum.

After being diagnosed with scoliosis with rare abnormalities at age 10, Hittle was sent to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed with EDS.

Since Hittle turned 18, she has been ineligible to receive their care, and for nearly two years she has been on the waiting list for Cleveland hospitals that can provide EDS treatment.

Hittle is advocating for EDS-HSD to raise awareness so that others with the disease can have an easier way to find a diagnosis and treatment, as well as have an online support network.

You can find more information about EDS-HSD online. She also has a social media presence on Instagram at Share Your Stripes.