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Blog Posts Across Illness-Disability-Healthcare-Caregiver Ministry Network

Melissa Callis Update After Several Months

The good part is that my dad (who had a stroke Dec. 30, 2007) is back to normal, for all practical purposes. He acts, remembers and talks normally. His humor, memory, everything is great. However, he has cut down on all that hard work doing chores for others - which is a good thing. Every now and then he won't be able to think of a word or name - but after all, he's 84! Thanks to those who assured me that my Dad would recover over time. The bad part is that after being treated very badly by my… Continue

Posted by Melissa Callis on August 19, 2008 at 8:58pm — No Comments

Mary J. Yerkes Speaking Event--October 11, 2008

If you're in the Northern Virginia area, I invite you to join me on October 11, 2008, 10:30 am - noon, at Spiritual Care Support Ministries in Warrenton, Virgina for my session: Resolving Conflict in Times of Loss Due to Illness and Grief If you are living with loss due to illness and grief, chances are you are experiencing more conflict than most. During times of loss, increased conflict with your spouse and family members, coworkers, supervisor, and members of your faith community is… Continue

Posted by Mary J. Yerkes on August 4, 2008 at 2:08am — No Comments

Jeff Cadwell Lord Prop Us Up

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side. After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently. He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this...I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time,… Continue

Posted by Jeff Cadwell on February 25, 2008 at 8:46am — No Comments

Melissa Callis Dad's recovery

Dad went to a few speech therapy sessions and then quit, saying that was not what he needed. He has all of his memory and awareness - he just can't always bring to mind the word he wants when talking. I told him the more he thinks about it, the more he can't think of the word; but when he just relaxes, the word will come to him in a few minutes. Mom is really stressed because she can't drive and because of her osteoporosis pain, she can't get out when it's cold outside. She has to watch him just… Continue

Posted by Melissa Callis on February 6, 2008 at 8:58am — No Comments

Carol Weaver A Life Changed, but not over!

Struggling with chronic illness for many years, it has been a tough road, as I have often wanted to do it all " My way" It was the way I knew, I was the server, the caregiver! Now all at once things changed, and now I am not able to do as much in the way I used to know how to take care of other people all my life, or most my life, anyway.

It was not supposed to be like this. As activities director and so many other things , it was hard after back surgery when I found I was not going to…

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Posted by Carol Weaver on January 20, 2008 at 4:06pm — No Comments

Melissa Callis My dad had a stroke Sunday

My dad had a mild stroke Sunday affecting only his speech/thoughts (expressive aphasia) and not his body. Continue

Posted by Melissa Callis on January 3, 2008 at 9:31am — No Comments

Melissa Callis Hysterectomy Success!!

I had the complete abdominal hysterectomy (with a vertical incision) and it was a success - NO CANCER PTL!!!!!!!!! Got my staples out today, Dec. 12th and everything is healing fine. I feel great now that my ovary and the cysts are not killing me with severe disabling pain!!!


I will be having a complete abdominal hysterectomy (big incision) this Monday, Dec. 3rd at 12:30. This will fix all my problems! Please pray for me!! - Melissa Continue

Posted by Melissa Callis on December 12, 2007 at 4:36pm — 4 Comments

Rudy keep up the good work rest ministries

I just watched the video about rest ministries and I think it's great what the group is doing. I also think it's wonderful that you're using the Internet to connect with people. Participating in the different social networking platforms on the web is a great idea. I wish more service organizations would take advantage of the resources on the Internet.

Faith has played a crucial role in my mom's ability to deal with having three children with disabilities and she takes great pride in bei… Continue

Posted by Rudy on November 27, 2007 at 7:47pm — No Comments

Lisa Copen Finding the Hidden Blessings in Illness

it's the little things that count when living with pain or illness

Del37473751_2 With the holidays nearing once again we are urged by everyone from Hallmark commercials to

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Posted by Lisa Copen on November 27, 2007 at 10:27am — No Comments

Rudy hello everyone

hello my name is Rudy. I have a disability called cerebral palsy and I am in a wheelchair. I run a website for people with disabilities at http://www.disabilityresourcedirectory.com/ the site contains links to disability resources as well as articles on disability issues I hope the site also will increase the understanding of disability issues among all people I have also created a social network for the discussion of disability issues it… Continue

Posted by Rudy on November 19, 2007 at 12:01pm — 1 Comment

Lisa Copen Now THIS is "MUST SEE TV" -- Joni Eareckson Tada on Every Friday!

We're very happy to announce that Joni Eareckson Tada has a new television show that began on October 19th and airing on Direct TV (They are working on having it held on other televsion broadcasting options.) It's a wonderful half hour program that will leave you rivetted to your seat. (Trust me, I saw one of the pre-produced programs and it was fabulous!)

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Posted by Lisa Copen on November 18, 2007 at 6:15pm — No Comments

Lisa Copen Feeling Grinchy? A good laugh!

I post this every year and it still makes me smile. Feel free to reprint it anywhere you want to give people with chronic illness a few giggles.

Lisa Copen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FEELING GRINCHY?

"When Your Heart Says Merry Christmas. . .
But Your Body Feels Like the Grinch!"

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God," (Psalm 43:5)

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Posted by Lisa Copen on November 18, 2007 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Lisa Copen Articles on Focus on the Family Mention Rest Ministries!

Focus If you've had a chance to visit the site of one of our member of our illness ministry, writer Mary Yerkes, you'll see that she was writing articles for Focus on the Family ab

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Posted by Lisa Copen on November 18, 2007 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Sandra WELCOME !

I'm a rookie at anything computer-based, so you'll have to forgive me for not having a jazzy site. Welcome, and I hope that we can talk about, well...I guess about anything! I am excited for the opportunity to share your joys, sorrows, challenges, or even your boredom. Hugs and Blessings, Sandra

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Posted by Sandra on November 18, 2007 at 5:19am — 1 Comment

Melissa Callis Possible CANCER

At 9:09pm on November 13th, 2007, Melissa Callis said… 11-13-07 - Last Friday, my OB-GYN did an ultrasound to get a better picture of the ovarian cysts. I saw the pictures as the tech was cutting them apart with scissors, and I could see a big black mass. Then the doc examined me. He pushed in a few places and said, "Does this hurt?" I yelled and jumped accordingly. He asked me to sit up, and tell him again about everything since the onset of my pain about 9 days prior. Then he started talking a… Continue

Posted by Melissa Callis on November 13, 2007 at 9:14pm — 2 Comments

Jo Franz Living with it...

Driving south on Thursday from our home just north of Vancouver, WA, over the Columbia River from Portland, OR, we traveled down to Redding, CA to visit a daughter. What a beautiful drive, with colors ablaze! I simply love fall! But as much as I padded myself in the van seat to keep from weaving this way and that, the curvey road had me in literal pain due to weakened trunk and neck muscles. At least the drive farther south to Napa to visit another daughter and granddaughter was straight! (Ye…

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Posted by Jo Franz on November 1, 2007 at 3:39pm — No Comments

Sherrillynn Johnson The Invisible Chronic Illness Experience Blog

I can only handle one blog; mine is at The Invisible Chronic Illness Experience.
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Posted by Sherrillynn Johnson on October 31, 2007 at 9:14am — No Comments

Jennifer My struggles

Support, friendship. I am going through difficult times, with money situation. I live in a place, where are more people, then jobs. I have been having struggling with paying my rent. I am in contact with ADA and HUD, in my area. My apartment is trying to evict me, but I am trying to work with them. If there anyone that can help. Please let me know. Continue

Posted by Jennifer on September 15, 2007 at 2:45pm — No Comments

Natalie Cataline Being Diabetic so far

Having only recently learned I am daibetic has been an eye opener....never thought of it as a really dangerous disease....realizing I can't take things for granted anymore, like what I eat....having to give things up....and accepting all this..

hating needles and having to poke my self soooo much it seems....noticing that my energy level drops to -zero and the afternoon and feeling helpless to stop it....forcing myself to do things anyway till I feel I just can't....

resting an… Continue

Posted by Natalie Cataline on September 10, 2007 at 8:49pm — No Comments

Dennis Kinch stop the suicides

Please, if you or anyone you know is contemplating suicide due to the devastating effects chronic and permanent pain is having on your life, please think about this: You are not being told the truth about pain or about the cycle you have fallen into. This includes friends and family members of those in pain. Before you do anything drastic, seek more education and support from those who know the truth. Your pain is real, but the size of it and its impact on you is not. It can be controlled, manag… Continue

Posted by Dennis Kinch on August 29, 2007 at 12:40pm — No Comments

Trish Robichaud I'm ready to "Jump Start" are you?

Well, I'm finally back to sleeping 7-8 hours a day instead of 10-15 and I'm thrilled! Life is good and God is great! My father is recovering nicely from his bypass surgery and he and I are closer than we've ever been.

Not only i

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Posted by Trish Robichaud on August 28, 2007 at 7:31pm — No Comments

Trish Robichaud Taking it easy when I need to

I'm sleeping 10 - 18 hours a day this week. It's easy to go to being hard on myself and feeling crappy about all the things I'm not getting around to doing. But when I pause a moment and focus on what's good for me I back off and embrace that this is what my body needs right now. Self-nurturing is hard to do instinctively. It's taken me years to finally get to where I can be that gentle with myself. I don't always take that tact at first instinct but I'm grateful that God has shared with me t…

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Posted by Trish Robichaud on August 21, 2007 at 9:07pm — 1 Comment

Angela Dobbins "Chain of Love"

For quite some time now, I've been doing an extensive amount of research on the topic of "love". And, more specifically, God's love. My quest has taken me to places I would never have dared to venture before. And, I must say, my heart and my life have been touched in ways I can not even begin to describe. One of our recent newsletter messages made reference to the life of Helen Keller and included a quotation in which she summed up her understanding of the word "character". While I have been…

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Posted by Angela Dobbins on August 21, 2007 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Gail I will share this story with you....

I went to a Merge thing (ie. 20-somethings group) the other day after church service. Overall, it actually did not vibe for me at all, and I was like "God, Why did you tell me to go over there and try that, with the result being this one??" But then at the very end, right as I was leaving the Pizza Place, I met this young woman at the Merge get together who is living with chronic illness, who is not part of any small group for that very reason she said, but tries to occasionally go to a Mer…
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Posted by Gail on August 21, 2007 at 2:22am — 4 Comments

Mary J. Yerkes Highly Recommended Resource

Writing to Heal the Soul: Transforming Grief and Loss through Writing
by Susan Zimmermann


One of the most poignantly bea… Continue

Posted by Mary J. Yerkes on August 19, 2007 at 2:58am — No Comments

julie segel New kid on the block

I am glad I found this web.

As a mental health therapist, I am also an avid mental health advocate.

For over a year, I have suffered from chronic pain, so am broadening my scope of education and coping skills.

Thanks for welcoming me to this site.

I would enjoy your posts and comments.

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Posted by julie segel on August 18, 2007 at 11:05pm — No Comments

Deb Trammell Prescription Drugs, Are Not Our Answer

The heading may have caught your attention. I just heard on the news $275 billion dollars are spent on prescription drugs each year and patents are running out on some of the major drugs used by people. More generic drugs are coming down the pike. This is a major money making business and it seems many want in on the action.

I do not sell anything. I could have gotten into this at so many times on my path, but I decided I did not want to earn money

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Posted by Deb Trammell on August 10, 2007 at 4:01am — No Comments

Trish Robichaud Passionate Conviction in the Wee Hours

My stepdaughter is coming to visit in a few weeks. She's been such a joy and inspiration in my life but because she lives so far away and we both lead very busy lives, it's been 5 years since we've seen each other. I'm so excited to be able to have her with us for the week. We talk on the phone and share instant messaging but I'm looking forward to wrapping my arms around her.

.

God was responsible for the depth of our relationship. He mended the pain and conflict between us man…

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Posted by Trish Robichaud on August 9, 2007 at 7:17am — 1 Comment

Trish Robichaud Thank you Lord for paving the road that you've set me on!

Well, this is my first blog post. Four weeks ago I didn't even really know what a BLOG was but I knew that everybody was "doing it"! Not to be left out, I decided that it was high time that I joined in! So, here goes...

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Posted by Trish Robichaud on August 6, 2007 at 7:26pm — No Comments

Melissa Callis On 7-31-07, neighbor's house burned down

When I went home from work Tuesday afternoon, there was a police car blocking my street entrance and two fire trucks that appeared to be near my house. I drove around the block, and a police car was blocking the other end of the street. I parked my car on the side of the road, took a deep breath, and told the policeman I live at 1021 Maplewood.

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Posted by Melissa Callis on August 2, 2007 at 2:40pm — No Comments

Living Fountain Ministries Even In Times Of Sorrow ~ From Our PrayerSection at Living Fountains

During Times of Sorrow ~ Note from Living Fountains ~ As we have begun to minister to the brokenhearted we have found many of our guests at Living Fountains to be in full time ministry or in leadership, active in their home body churches. Even in the midst of their own sorrows they continue to serve, unselfishsly, giving often beyond what they humanly can bear, where it not for God. Gos is indeed our strength.....

YOU ARE ANOINTED EVEN IN TIMES OF SORROW

by Mary Lindlow…

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on August 2, 2007 at 5:30am — No Comments

Kate C. Me and my Chronic Illness

I know that writing about my illness will make me feel better and i'm told that journaling about the things that bother me helps. So here goes. I thought I'd tell my story to start off with. I suppose i'll introduce myself. You can call me Kate. I'm a 19 year old college student who has POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). I was diagnosed on April 17th and it changed my life. Last year in March I had an implant put into my heart to close up a patent ductus arteriosis (a hole that's… Continue

Posted by Kate C. on August 1, 2007 at 10:45pm — No Comments

Mary J. Yerkes Focus on the Family Web Module on Chronic Illness

I just received an email from an editor I've worked with at Focus on the Family. A few weeks ago, I pitched an idea of doing a web module (five articles) on the topic of chronic illness for their website at www.family.org. They've recently redone their website and added a new section, Life Challenges. They would like to proceed with the module!

Please keep me covered in prayer as I move forward on this assignment. I've been struggling physically for several weeks now, and I've got two… Continue

Posted by Mary J. Yerkes on August 1, 2007 at 9:54am — No Comments

Living Fountain Ministries Rise to The Top ~ Shake It Off ~ From Our Wounded Heart Section at Living Fountains

The Wounded Heart
Rise To The Top
~ Shake It Off ~

Do you begin your day with a shout of, “This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it?” Or do the words of your mouth sound less than hopeful for a good day?

Perhaps you are on a spinning wheel going from one awful thought to the next. Even at night, your mind is troubled with negatives thoughts.

How we see the day when we arise in the morning has a lot to do with how it will look all day…

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on August 1, 2007 at 5:30am — No Comments

Living Fountain Ministries How to Talk To Your Family and Friends About Depression ~ From Living Fountains

How To Talk To Your Family and Friends About Depression

Your friends and loved ones can play an important part in your recovery because their emotional support can encourage you to stick with your treatment. To get the most from the support those close to you want to offer, talk to them about your depression and social anxiety disorder.

You can use the following suggestions to begin the discussion.

Realize that your friends and loved ones may need education about depressi…

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on July 31, 2007 at 5:30am — No Comments

Linda seeing a pain clinic soon...

Finally i will go to a pain clinic..will there be help for me there?

My pain levels are all over the place and some days,my pain med.'s won't work or last long.My doctor is afraid(i believe) to give stronger.Feeling helpless..

How do i answer the questions,that will come at me?I 'm told i will see a nurse first,than the doctor..for one hour.I'am stressed with so much other things in my life,i'am afraid i won't say the right thing. I need

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Posted by Linda on July 30, 2007 at 8:45pm — 1 Comment

Living Fountain Ministries From "Talking to Your Family about Depression" Series ~ Uncovering the Truth

Uncovering the Truth About Depression
and Social Anxiety Disorder

While living with depression and social anxiety disorder can be hard on you, it may also take a toll on your friends and family, especially if they don’t know much about depression and social anxiety disorder as medical conditions. You may want to share this story with your friends and family to help them better understand your condition.

Living with someone with severe depression and social anxiety disorder c…

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on July 30, 2007 at 5:30am — No Comments

Mary J. Yerkes Upcoming Speaking Event--Looking for Resources to Add

I'm speaking on September, 23, 2007 in Warrenton, Virginia on "Transforming Pain into Purpose: One Day at a Time," and I'm looking for resources to recommend to those in attendance. I'm preparing a "Lifestyle Toolbox" for attendees and would love to add your resource to the list! If you have a book, ministry, video, or other resource you'd like to recommend, please contact me at myerkes@comcast.net .

I'm also looking for a few freebies to give to those in attendance. If you have a book… Continue

Posted by Mary J. Yerkes on July 29, 2007 at 3:54am — 3 Comments

Living Fountain Ministries Fear, Stress, and Health From The Wounded Heart Seciton at Living Fountains

The Wounded Heart
Fear, Stress, and Health

It's everywhere online, in the news, on the television. Research is linking our thoughts and emotions to disease. How we react to our environment and the boundaries we do or do not set on ourselves affect the outcome of our health. In many ways, we are a sum total of what we think because every action is preceded by a thought.

Many of us have based our belief systems on what we learned in childhood. Some of that is good since many g…

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on July 27, 2007 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Living Fountain Ministries Our Comforter ~ From Our Prayer Section at Living Fountains

Our Comforter

"As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem."

Isaiah 66:13
King James Version

There are times when our hearts our heavy and our loved ones and friends attempts to comfort us doesn’t help. It is then that we need to go to Jesus and allow Him to comfort us with His comfort. He

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on July 26, 2007 at 4:55pm — No Comments

Living Fountain Ministries Victory is in Your Suitcase ~ From Our Depression Section At Living Fountans

Victory is in Your Suitcase

I write to you, dear friend, who has known the tormenting grasp of depression. I speak to you, brave child of God, who at this moment is caught in its enclosure, waiting for sharp claws to unclasp and release you into the world of chirping birds and smiling Pansies from which you were plucked and held captive. I am a comrade who desires to tell you of my journey through depression and of the suitcase God packed for me.

I have battled with the distress…

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on July 25, 2007 at 7:00am — No Comments

Living Fountain Ministries Permission to Grieve ~ From Our Grief Section at Living Fountains

Permission to Grieve
By Cherie Brown

There is a feeling that rises from your heart and pushes upwards until it reaches your throat. Then with a familiar tight squeeze, your physical distress takes the shape of the emotional cry of the human spirit. Your eyes begin to twitch, and suddenly hurt rolls down your face in the form of tears. While this pain grips your heart, fear seizes your mind.

The emotion that forced me to depend completely on God’s strength has many names,…

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on July 24, 2007 at 7:30pm — No Comments

Living Fountain Ministries The Beauty Within ~ From Our Restoration Section at Living Fountains

Restoration ~ The Beauty Within

"I have come to give you life...."
Why do we often settle for less, ending up not being set free or experiencing the fullness that God has designed for us and intends for us?

We settle by the worlds standards or the devils lies that this is just the way it is to be and accept it without challenging these thought patterns and beliefs with the Word of God.

If God truly said, then why don't we believe it.?

It is for the lack of know…

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on July 24, 2007 at 7:00am — No Comments

Melissa Callis Support from my Family in Atlanta

On Sunday, July 15th my relatives from Atlanta came up, went to church with us, ate lunch with us, and we got to spend some great time together talking and sharing photos. I'm attaching a photo which shows all of us: Left to right: Sarah, Floyd (my dad), Phoenix (Sarah's daughter), Ronnie (my husband wearing the cute hat), Jacob and Bubba (my cousin L… Continue

Posted by Melissa Callis on July 23, 2007 at 6:17am — No Comments

Melissa Callis 7-17-07 Fell last night, feel silly

As I said, I'm taking 2 60 mg pills of Cymbalta every morning now, and going thru the day like a sleepwalker. Have to drink coffee to keep me awake. My dr. called yesterday afternoon and said that to end the sleepwalker zombie status, I should take one pill at bedtime and one during the day, rather than both together in the morning as he had first… Continue

Posted by Melissa Callis on July 17, 2007 at 9:01am — 1 Comment

Doreen McConnaughy My Grandson

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Posted by Doreen McConnaughy on July 6, 2007 at 7:38pm — No Comments

Living Fountain Ministries A Little About Myself ~ My Story About Depression

My Story About Depression
Written December, 2006 by Living Fountain

May God's peace be with you. His Love embrace you
and His comfort abound to you. For He cares for You.
---Matthew 6: 25 - 34

Many of you have not heard from me in a very, very long time. The past few years have been very difficult for myself. And I'm sure for my husband too.

2005 was a bitter, sweet year.

For our family, we endured many hardships. My husbands Father had been diagnosed…

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Posted by Living Fountain Ministries on January 1, 1970 at 12:00am — No Comments

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