So much to do
It’s been a busy week. We’re doing a letter-writing party at 4 p.m. Sunday at the new Land of Sky United Church of Christ, then we’re taking part in a memorial service Tuesday evening to honor the people who have died because of our broken system.
We’re calling the service, “In Loving Memory,” and it will be broken into 12-minute segments so we can pause and chime, light a candle and have a moment of silence to memorialize the person who has died during that time.
I think that will illustrate the urgency in getting reforms in place. It also will help me remember I’m not alone; that every 12 minutes, another family has to deal with what mine deals with every day. That’s what keeps me going; that and my promise to Mike that he wouldn’t be forgotten.
We’re still working on the fundraiser for Nov. 1. I bought six white pocket aprons and I’m going to have the Eat at Mike’s logo put on them.
We have some more good auction items, including a night at the Grove Park Inn and some beautiful works of art, pottery and more. I’m getting really excited.
It’s all keeping me really busy, though.
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