Andre Williams, a Milledgeville native, contracted Stevens-Johnson syndrome in 2017, and has become an advocate for the syndrome ever since his extreme case impacted his life in a major way. Since August is Stevens-Johnson syndrome awareness month, he is putting on several events throughout the month to educate the community.
Williams has lived in Milledgeville his entire life but has family in Jones County. He visits Jones County sometimes for different reasons but stated that growing up in Milledgeville was fun.
“I like Milledgeville, because I socialize with a lot of people and everyone is friendly here,” Williams said. “I have a great time here, and I enjoy places like the nature walk and Buffington’s. I have family here, and I’m really big on family.”
According to mayoclinic.org, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. It’s usually a reaction to medication that starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful rash that spreads and blisters. Williams stated that this is what happened to him.
“It’s a reaction of the skin, and in my case, I took a pill, then my body reacted in a negative way. Instead of helping me, it fought against me. There is Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, known as TEN. I had TEN, and it’s more severe since over 15 percent of the body is burned,” Williams said.
According to Williams, about 85 percent of his body burned from TEN. In more extreme cases people can lose their hair, vision and even die. Anyone can have Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and he developed his case from taking sulfur.
“It happened so fast. I felt this thrush in the top of my mouth, and I didn’t know what it was,” Williams said. “I went to the hospital, and my eye started to bother me. After that I caught a fever, and it just got worse from there very fast.”
The advocate praised his mother, brother and aunt as his biggest supporters through his stay in the hospital. He ended up in the JMS Burn Center in Augusta. He video called his brother while in the hospital, and his brother cried when he saw him. According to Williams, it was a shock to see himself so burned, but his brother kept him laughing through all of the hard times.
“Stevens-Johnson syndrome isn’t really talked about much. I still have trouble with my eye and am still going through surgeries even though this happened back in 2017. You have to educate yourself on your medicine. You need to go to a burn center for this, and it can happen to anyone. That’s why the community needs to know about this,” Williams said.
By doing events this August for Stevens-Johnson syndrome awareness month in Milledgeville, Williams will be educating people about the syndrome and its effects. The first event is an SJS Awareness Milli Chili Cook-Off where it is a dollar per ticket to try the chili. That event will be held at the Market Pavilion at 222 East Hancock in Milledgeville on Aug. 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. He said if people would like to compete, they can contact him at 478-234-7593 or andre.willi0520@gmail. com.
The second event is a production of The Color Purple and will be held on Aug. 12 at 7:30 p.m., 13 at 7:30 p.m. and 14 at 2:30 p.m. at the Baldwin Fine Arts Center at 155 GA 49 in Milledgeville. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at http:// ladykrlcinc.booktix.com/.
The third event will be a drag queen benefit show at Buffington’s at 120 West Hancock Street in Milledgeville on Aug. 20 at 10 p.m. There will be a $10 cover charge.
The last event is an SJS Awareness Workout at the Tri County Shrine Club at 101 Airport Road Northeast in Milledgeville on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. At the event, they will be taking $5 donations and proceeds will go to the JMS Burn Center in Augusta.
“These are just fun events to bring your family out to. We want people to come out and educate themselves while having fun. I really hope the community comes out to enjoy themselves and learn something,” Williams said.
For Williams, it was a struggle to create a new normal in his life after his recovery, and his life goals had to change. Now, he tries to educate people about Stevens-Johnson syndrome and has accepted advocating as a new calling in his life..
“I’m hoping everyone gains more knowledge in the end and takes things more seriously. I hope they do more research on how their medications can impact their health,” Williams said. “Even if they don’t develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome, it could be something else just as bad. I just hope people come to the events and learn something new.”