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SEPTEMBER 1976
INDOMITABLE MAMA FITZ
by Matt Phillips
Kathy Fitzgerald, known to Akronites as WAUP-FM's DJ Mamá Fitz, is amazing (!) not only to the people she talks to during her all night radio program, not only to the gay organizations of the Akron-Kent area which she supports, but also to her doctors.
When she was born some 26 years ago, the attending doctor reported that Kathy would never walk. He was wrong. Another doctor said she would be forced to wear leg braces by age 12. He was wrong. Her current doctor is fascinated that she is able to dance as often as one night a month.
The
reason for these prognostications and the doctors' incredulity is that Kathy suffers from a rare and incurable disease, Ehler's Danlos Syndrome. As a result, Kathy's bones "are too pliable" causing her to be "double jointed like a rubber man." Also, "the cartilage and ligaments keep deteriorating from the humidity and the wear and tear of normal living." What would be a minor sprain for most people could send Mama Fitz to the hospital for an operation to repair the damage. (She has already needed three operations on her knees.)
The Ohio weather only aggravates the conditions causing almost constant pain. "I've gotta get out of here soon," says Kathy. The only
solution is to head for the drier Southwest where she is desperately trying to find a job as a DJ.
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Even the pain will not keep Mama Fitz from her radio program. "Many nights I haven't felt like working because of the pain, but I come because it might be one of the nights a sister or brother wants to rap.' And "rap" she does! Both on and off the air, rapping with listeneres shows her deep concern for those around her "Prison makes you an animal and that shouldn't be. You don't deserve to be put in a cage." "The war is not over, especially for those lying in the VA
| hospitals sl yt doesn'
help. It means you're an adult; you're intelligent enough to know you need help."
Some people call while on bad trips. Mama has helped them back down. Some are suicide calls. "I don't think I;ve lost anybody. Sometimes, though, I'm on the edge of my seat for a couple of days." Some are people who just need to know that someone cares. Mama Fitz does.
No public service an. nouncement is read straight while Mama Fitz is on the air. They become inbued with her concern for all people and her own love of life and love of
brother, and they were screaming for him to come back on the stage for an encore! Knowing Lou Reed has opened my eyes to see gays as people too. People don't surprise me. "I'm always proud when a sister calls and requests Chris Williamson or the others. As far as I know, I'm the only one in Akron who has these artists and plays them."
Mama not only supports the national gay and pro-gay artists, but also supports the local progay groups and artists like "Fox."
Much of Kathy's ability as a counselor comes from her nurse's training. "If I had my choice, I would have stayed in nursing. I loved it. But if I started at 8, by 10:30 I was limping and
I can't hold their hand, but if I can say something over the air, it helps.
music.
On the program she has never hid her own sexuality, but Kathy really came out to Akron via a cover story about her in the
Sunday Magazine of The Akron Beacon Journal last February. The article made no attempt to veil that Kathy is gay and she has received no adverse reaction from it. On the contrary, now she has become somewhat of a personality in Akron with people recognizing her and saying hello.
Every program contains a plug for the MCC 24 hour hotline in Akron. (Stan Poberts, pastor of MCC/Akron characterizes Mama Fitz as "one of the most consistent supporters of MCC" even though she remains a strong Catholic.)
In addition, she has helped many listeners come to grips with their own sexual orientation and has enlighten many others about gays. "Music," according to Mama, "is a non-oppressive medium for gays. The music of Holly Near, Chris Williamson, Meg Christian, and Lou Reed have had an extremely positive influence on my coming out. I cried at the Lou Reed concert
an (when Transformer mer was
mean
you're less of a person to call for released). There he was a
then my legs gave away. But, still, I'm reaching a lot more people. I can't hold their hand, but if I can say something over the air, it helps."
However, all this rapping and counseling does not mean her program is all talk on the air. About 95% is rock and roll and Mama gets down with the best of them. She may be playing an imaginary guitar along with Led Zeppelin or using her chop sticks as drum sticks to Kiki Dee's "I Got The Music In Me."
All the time she is maintaining tight control of her show, monitoring all the meters and dials, and recording necessary information for the FCC logbooks.
She is the steadiest worker at WUAP-FM (88.1), taking the 2:30 I am to 7 am shift Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings and also working as the music director for a year and a half.
Since WUAP-FM is a university radio station, Mama Fitz receives no pay for all her hours. on the air. She surives on Social
Security Supplemental Income for the disabled (which is not much) and receives cab fare from the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitations. This, however, will end in October and then Mama may be left with no means back and forth to the studio. For the time being Mama Fitz continues her radio program. Whenever you hear her say, "This is your own Mama Fitz and I'm gonna take you all the way until seven in the morning," you know you are in good hands.
Kathy Fitzgerald is a fighter. She does not yet know how this latest problem will be overcome, but she is not one to give up!