|
|
||
In This Issue:
“Veterans with PPS Take Notice”
WEB FINDS
The P.E.N. & ink Link
“How I Found Peace”
by Sharman Collins
“A Harmony of Peoples”
by Dave Graham
P.O.S. Library
Our Offer (for a mailed subscription)
Copyright information
How I Found Peace
By Sharman Collins
On Easter Sunday at Fourth Memorial Church in Spokane, Sharman was asked to speak to the congregation about how she came to have faith in Jesus Christ. Since the reason has to do with her post-polio syndrome, we thought you might be interested in what she had to say.
In January of 1991, I was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome. I had polio as a small child and except for residual weakness led a fairly normal life. Then at age 42 I began to experience PPS symptoms. Within six months, I had lost about 90% of my overall physical strength. I had gone from a very active person who participated in cycling, skiing, and jogging with my husband and four sons to someone who could not walk a block or lift more than a few pounds. I was no longer able to do any household chores, shop for groceries or cook. I was in constant pain. I spent more time in bed than out. It was terrifying to be able to feel one nerve after another in distress and then quit functioning. I felt my family would be better off without me. I felt like I had become useless to them and to everyone else. At first, I decided I would be able to think my way out of this. I read every positive-thinking book I could find–I joined a New Age Meditation group. I envisioned nerves growing back. Nothing worked. I became extremely depressed.
That Autumn the Lord sent someone special to the Polio Outreach Support Group meeting. Elinor Young, a missionary who had been in Irian Jaya, Indonesia for 18 years, was also suffering from the onset of post-polio syndrome. She had to leave Indonesia and return to Spokane. She came to my support group meeting. She told the group that while she was experiencing deep grief at the loss of her ability to function, she was able to have peace and joy because of her faith in God. I was dumbfounded. How could this be? As I got to know Elinor and watched her life, I knew I wanted what she had– that relationship with Jesus Christ. I knew I was a sinner in desperate need of a Savior. I asked Jesus to come into my heart in May of 1992. Only Jesus could give me that love, acceptance, and forgiveness I needed when I had become so worthless in my own and the world’s eyes.
The Lord taught me how to accept my physical limitations. I continued to weaken physically and spent four years using an electric scooter to get around, three years using a ventilator for breathing support for 12 out of every 24 hours, and wore a rigid full body brace to hold me upright when I was out of bed.
I learned that I had to give up my will for my life and totally depend on Him and His will for me. He taught me that I had value and worth in His eyes regardless of my lack of abilities. And that He would continue to comfort me and give me that peace and joy that I saw in my friend Elinor– no matter how bad my circumstances became. Even if I ended up in a nursing home, the Lord would bring someone near me who needed to hear about Him. He would be with me always.
Then in the summer of 1996 the Lord led me to a clinic where I was able to get effective medical treatment. He has restored a large percentage of my physical strength in the last five years.
The Lord has provided me with a platform to tell others with post-polio syndrome about treatment that is available–and most importantly–about my life-changing relationship with His son Jesus Christ. And He has blessed me indeed– last October, my beloved husband of 32 years accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.
The Lord has done a mighty work in my life. His hand has been on me.
A Harmony of Peoples
By Dave Graham
While in college I took a Music Theory class and also one in Sociology. At the time I saw no connection between the two. Today I look at the subject matter and find many beautiful similarities and unique comparisons.
In the music class we studied how notes worked together. In Sociology we studied how people worked together. Just look at these comparisons.
When you see an orchestra of 75 instrument players it is easy to assume that they are playing many, many notes. The fact is that when they come together and form a closing chord they may only be playing as few as three. Some may be playing those notes very high and some low, but they are essentially only playing a few notes. The eye is deceiving us into thinking they are all doing their own thing, but in fact they are all doing the same thing.
When we consider the vast number of cultures on this Earth and the way people act, our eye can deceive us again. The way people look may cause us to believe that everyone is doing their own thing. They are not. Each one is concerned about the same basics of making their way in life.
When comparing a clarinet and a tuba, they couldn’t look more different. When looking at an Alaska native and a native of Africa a similar comparison could be made. Throw in an Anglo and an Asian and we have an orchestra, and that’s just the A’s. Each individual is concerned with the same basics in their own cultural existence.
Why then can’t we achieve a close harmony among peoples? Could it be that we are relying too much on our eyes?
P.E.N. & ink Link
For Sale (Spokane/Couer d’Alene area): One three-wheeled walker, emerald green, with basket and carrying bag. $75 OBO. Also “high john” and bedside commode available. Phone (509) 238-9126.
WEB FINDS
Last issue we printed an article about pool therapy. Here are more you can check out:
-
PPS: Swimming & Aquatic Therapy by Eddie Bollenbach & James Donovan MD, at www.skally.net/ppsc/ex2/l
-
Warm Water Pool Exercise For People with PPS – Compiled by Mary Clarke Atwood, Editorial assistance by V. Duboucheron, from “Pool Exercise – Principles and Guidelines for Polio Survivors” by Robbie B. Leonard, M.S., P.T.. See it at www.skally.net/ppsc/aqua/l
***The information given in this newsletter is not meant to be medical, financial or legal advice and is not given by a medical or legal professional. We recommend that you seek appropriate professional counsel regarding any concerns.***
Polio Outreach of Spokane Library
Your resource for information on post-polio syndrome and disability issues.
Polio Outreach Of Spokane maintains a large library of information on post-polio syndrome and disability issues. The printed material is available by contacting our Librarian, Darlene Hansen at darlenekh@juno.com
Remember, you are not alone in your struggle. The problems that you or your loved one are experiencing now have been dealt with by others in the past. Their experiences are documented in some great material, all available in our library. Give Darlene a call and tell her what your difficulties are. She can send you the appropriate material.
Our Offer:
If you want to receive PEN & ink by normal mail, send a request with your mailing address to:
P.E.N. S. 508 Shoreline Drive
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
We would appreciate a donation for printing and mailing costs, but if you are not able to do that it doesn’t matter. If you want to a subscription, let us know.
P.E.N. & ink,
On the Web and mailed world-wide to provide experience based advice and emotional support for Polio survivors, families and friends.
Mailing address. . . 508 Shoreline Dr., Liberty Lake, WA 99019 U.S.A.
Copyright © Polio Experience Network (P.E.N. & ink), 1999. .Original materials by P.E.N. writers may be reprinted in other newsletters as long as proper credit is given. Please send a complimentary copy of the publication to Polio Experience Network, 508 Shoreline Dr., Liberty Lake, WA 99019 U.S.A.
Back to “P.E.N. & ink” index page.
| (For information about up-coming meetings of Polio Outreach of Spokane, see the POS Webpage.)
Feature Article: “Post-Polio Syndrome” By Eileen R. Chasens, an assistant professor at Wayne State University College of Nursing, Detroit, MI. and Mary G. Umlauf, an associate professor at the University of Alabama School of Nursing, Birmingham, AL. from the American Journal of Nursing – December 2000 The re-print permission we received was for our hard-copy edition of P.E.N. & ink only. We do not have permission to reprint it here. The article contains some very good information. We suggest the following. Go to nursingcenter.com. Click on the “AJN, American Journal of Nursing” link, then follow links until you get a registration form. Fill it out. When you are finished, you will receive a coupon good for one free full article. Use it to “buy” the above title. You may view the abstract for free.
Veterans with PPS Take Notice Are you a veteran with post polio syndrome? Are you getting monetary or medical benefits from the US Dept of Veterans Affairs? Did you know that because of your PPS, you may be eligible or entitled to either of these benefits. The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) has a long and successful legacy of advancing research with spinal cord injury. They also battle to support veterans with other conditions, such as MS, lupus and polio. The Vets Benefits Dept of PVA is staffed by trained individuals, many of whom are disabled veterans themselves, who assist their fellow veterans through the maze of laws and regulations in preparing claims before the VA. All services are provided to veterans at no cost. If you are a ve (Thank you to the Polio Society in Washington, DC for this information.) |
||
teran with PPS, contact the Veterans Benefits Dept of the PVA in your area. You may be eligible to benefits even though it may have been years after your release from active duty before being diagnosed with PPS. Call or write PVA’s national office to find the closest PVA office to you: Paralyzed Veterans of America. P.O. Box 1105, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104 or phone 505-248-6730 or 6731.