In This Issue:
Sharman’s News, Sharman Collins
P.P.S. In Under Two Minutes
“God, Why Do I Hurt?“ by Dave Graham
Inspiration (by Elinor Young)
Linda’s Lines, Linda Scott
The P.E.N. & ink Link
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Phone Pals
P.P.S. in under two minutes.
Have you tried to explain Post Polio Syndrome to a friend, then half way through you notice them nodding off? Try this two minute drill.
Our brain communicates with our muscles through the nerves. Polio destroys these nerve cells causing our muscles to die.
The beautiful thing about nerves is that they help each other. When one goes down others help out, so a person can lose many nerve cells and not experience much dysfunction.
Most polio survivors have been living in this state of fewer cells for years. If they were very young when they contracted Polio they may have grown up thinking this was normal.
All people’s nerve cells die off with age. For the normal person, having many nerve cells, this is not a problem. For those of us that have been living with a reduced number of nerve cells, this can result in a variety of symptoms including weakness, fatigue and pain.
Sharman‘s News
By mailto:SharmanCollins@aol.com
It certainly is exciting to be part of this first issue of P.E.N. & ink.
Spokane Polio Outreach has some great meetings planned for the upcoming months. On Tuesday July 26th, we will have a discussion dealing with Post Polio Syndrome problems such as fatigue, pain- control, energy conservation, etc. We can all be of help by sharing our experiences in dealing with these and other problems we have.
On Tuesday August 23rd, we plan to watch the video Bouncing Back Without Guilt, by Wendy Cline, Psychologist.
At our September meeting, Tuesday September 27th, Sue Lienhard, a pharmacist, will be discussing different medications that may be of benefit to us. She spoke to our group last year and consented to come back again. She is an excellent speaker. We all benefited from her expertise.
I would like to share something I read from Barbara Johnson’s book titled ‘Pack Up Your Gloomies In A Great Big Box & Then Sit On The Lid.’
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still my muscles and know God’s relaxation.
Be still my nerves and know God’s rest.
Be still my Heart and know God’s quietness.
Be still my body and know God’s renewal.
Be still my mind and know God’s peace.
Ref. Psalms 46:10
Much love to all of you from the members of Polio Outreach of Spokane.
Sharman
God, Why Do I Hurt?
by Dave Graham
Feeling pain plays an important role in our existence. When our bodies experience danger, pain alerts us to the threat. Children learn their basic behaviors within boundaries established by pain.
For those of us suffering from the effects of Polio and Post Polio Syndrome, pain serves more than as a guidance tool. Ever present pain reminds us of our very unique set of circumstances. It causes us to adhere to a pattern of learned skills and life style techniques that we individually design to minimize pain’s intensity.
When I overdo or go beyond my normal activity limits, I experience increased pain. I am responsible for that pain because I am in charge of my behavior. Apparently I have chosen to over do, so I can expect the consequences. In my own mind, I deserve it.
Some times, however, I don’t deserve it! Those are the times when I have been careful to stay within my activity limits, yet I still have increased pain. It makes me angry! Who is to blame? It would seem easy, almost natural to blame God.
What kind of power does God exert over our lives? For me, the scriptures have answered this universal question: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
Does God desire for me to hurt? Of course not. Did the Lord cause my disease? No. I believe He gave me a life where I am free and have an ability to make personal choices. To do that, I must live with the natural laws which He set up in this created world. Within the boundaries of those laws exists a certain amount of chance.
God’s intentional, perfect will stands eternal. His circumstantial, permissive will reaches beyond my ability to understand, at least in this life. My faith calls me to trust in God’s ultimate will and purpose and to love Him simply as a small child trusts and loves his earthly father. As the baby, when he falls is comforted by his Daddy, I must take comfort in my Heavenly Father. In my moments of pain, I know it is only temporary.
Inspiration
by Elinor Young
Elinor’s professional career and health challenges have followed a path common to us who have post-polio syndrome. In her 40’s, she was forced to retire from a stimulating profession as a missionary linguist in Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Here she shares her faith and her prose.
I am a tumble of thoughts and emotions. One minute expressing the pure joy of the encouragements You have sent, the next being close to tears of pain at the losses. But people tell me how honest blending touches them.
That leaves me with a similar humble awe as I used to feel looking at those wild towering Irian Jaya mountains, trying and failing to comprehend the power that pushed them up so straight and tall. Power persistently conscious humbled recognition as it regularly shook those mighty mountains, sliding soil down sheer cliffs, exposing rock that winds and time had taken decades to cover.
Fear of that power softened to wonder at the sight of the bursting joy of waterfalls leaping, laughing with unrestrained abandon down those same cliffs. The same cliffs displaying trembling scars and laughing beauty. Those two needing to dwell together for the mountain to declare the full wonder of your power.
I am much smaller than those giant mountains, but I am a much greater creation. My heart isn’t mere stone. It is alive. It has been given grace and faith with which to blend the weeping and the laughing into an even more wondrous declaration of your power. Your power in a human heart. That is what the painful scraping and washing joy — wedded — expose. Awesome.
Linda’s Lines
by Linda Scott
We are maintaining a substantial library for those in need of resource information about Polio and Post Polio Syndrome. Materials include video and audio tapes as well as written material. It is available at every meeting.
I also invite your phone calls should you need materials at other times.
One audio tape this worth mentioning is an oldie but a goodie. It is titled P.P.S. & Stress by Nancy Frick. Side ‘B’ is a half hour long and deals with some of the reasons we Polio survivors have unique and unusual stresses in our lives. She cites survey information and some important psychological findings.
You would not only enjoy this presentation you may even benefit from her suggestions on how to deal with stress.
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Recently I spoke with Joanne Lawrence, a school teacher who has attended a Polio outreach group on the coast.
Joanne and her husband have taken up the cause of public accessibility for the handicapped in the Seattle – Tacoma area. She writes a newsletter and she will be glad to add you to her mailing list.
Contact D.A.H.R.T. (Disabled Americans Have Rights Too) P.O. Box 283, Seahurst, WA 98062.
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If you have found something that has benefited you, it may be of real help to another. Please call me and we will share your find.
Linda
P.E.N. & ink Link is happy to accept articles from guest authors and will consider them for publication. Send written offerings to:
…..508 Shoreline Drive
…..Liberty Lake, WA 99019
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This registry is designed to provide transportation to support group meetings. If you need a ride or you can provide one please call Denise at 926-5192.