A little bit of Baptist
I was raised Baptist, but I have rejected much of the fundamentalist theology and become what a former Sunday school teacher called a “dirty Congregationalist.”
Still, a little bit of Baptist remains. Baptists believe that when one steps out on faith, God provides what one needs to succeed. I remember a missionary who worked with poor children in the inner city telling me about sitting in the post office because she knew a check would come, although she didn’t know from whom. And a check came in the exact amount she needed because God wanted her to continue on the path she was traveling.
The lesson: FYI, ye of little faith, you won’t get what you need. But if you have faith, things will happen. And maybe that’s because people of little faith in whatever it is they’re doing don’t take risks. Who knows?
But more than once, I’ve stepped out and not fallen into the abyss. Faith is a trust that things will unfold as they should, even with nothing on which to base that belief.
This time, it’s all about the Asheville rally. I’ve spent all the spare money I have, and we still need a few things to pull off the rally. I know we’re doing the right thing in advocating for health care for everyone, so I decided to call around and see if I could find some sponsors for the rally.
Of course, Eblen agreed, but before I could sit down and talk to Bill Murdock, the director, about what we need, I got an e-mail from Mike’s disability attorney asking if we need sponsors. Two other people have let me know checks are coming because what we’re doing is important. I didn’t even ask for donations from those people.
I know we’re doing important work and people do support it. But that little bit of Baptist in me was sitting in the post office knowing what we need will be provided. Call it God, as I do, or the forces of the universe, but we will have what we need to put on our Asheville rally.
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities.
We aim to reduce isolation and fear among people who have conditions, including psychiatric illness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, mild dementia or other cognitive disorder or disability, thereby reducing depression and complications as people learn to improve self-management of their medical conditions.
Patient Pals help alleviate feelings of isolation and frustration. They can help people develop a list of questions to ask the doctor and then accompany the person to the doctor to make sure all the questions are answered, taking notes to be sure the person understands the doctor’s answers.
Our trained volunteers also accompany their “Pals” to art exhibits, movies and walks outdoors, meet for coffee, call to check in and more.
Our Pals have experienced weight loss, improvement in diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, depression and more, just because they have someone who cares about them. Some relationships develop into longer-term friendships; other Pals move on to more independent lives.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
Post a comment