'TO MY FRIENDS IN THIS PLACE' 'RSDS/CRPS SYMPOSIUM'

This is the poem that I had promised I would share with you in my last post.

To My Friends In This Place

RSDS/CRPS Symposium

1996

 

Life is a time of changing events.

Life is also a time of changing pace.

We have traveled an unique path

in this wonderful human race.

 

We have gathered in this place

to share cheerful things and tailspins.

We have cared and shared our love

to help fight RSDS - to win.

 

We have talked and listened until weary

and just fed up with life.

We are here to give a special lift

through all our pain and strife.

So, George and I say this prayer to all:

We pray for God's protection will keep you in His care.

His Grace to intervene in trails

and His Peace to help you share.

 

We pray for 'His Will' to unfold in your tomorrows,

His Trust and Joy to be felt within.

His gracious refreshing of 'The Spirit'

to brighten each day that begins.

 

                                 Thanksgiving comes from our hearts

for God entrusting 'RSDS' to our care.

Can we trust Him enough to never ask 'WHY'

and seek true meaning with Faith....to Share?

 

It is only in our humility

that God can use us for 'His Mission'.

What silly path would we have chosen, perhaps,

to go without pain, wealth, fame; than to an empty pension?

 

We are glad loving hands prepared this time today

for us to share and help to reach our goal.

Experiences and knowledge, shared and received

are a part of our healing and go deep into the soul.

 

Thank You and God Bless and Keep You In His Care

copyrighted by Doris Swertfeger

09-07-1996

 

 

'TO ALL RSDS/CRPS PERSONS'

I penned sometime ago that I spoke at a symposium in South Bend, Indiana in the late 90's.

The committee's president of this particular symposium had asked me to speak from my view of living with this disease, RSDS/CRPS. 

First, I do not consider it a disease.  It is a 'dis-ease' and an' inconvenience' in my life.  It comes and goes and when it is in my life in a more vibrant way; I HURT, MY LEGS BURN AND THEY BECOME WEAK.  I become frustrated and it prevents me from doing most anything that I want to do during those times. 
However, I have learned to redirect my thinking and acceptance toward 'this too shall pass'.  Sounds easy but everything that I have learned during those times, my thoughts just automatically kick into gear, so to speak.  Just as if an EMT person comes upon a person that needs his/her help.  They do not dwell upon their skills all day but when the need arises, it just automatically kicks in to what they need to do. 

Now, I can just imagine anybody that is reading this that are hurting and frustrated at this time, might be thinking something along the lines of: 'SURE, THAT IS EASY FOR YOU TO SAY', 'WELL, YOU DON'T HURT LIKE I DO', 'YOU PROBABLY DON'T REALLY HAVE RSDS/CRPS'.  And, if there is anybody thinking along these lines, THAT IS OK!!!  ........ As long as you don't 'chalk up' what I am sharing to, "forget it, nobody and nothing can help ME!"  I will now share more of my story.  Please stay with me.

As I shared with many people there at the Symposium, I took my monkey puppet, George, with me.  You see, in my research on RSDS/CRPS and searching within myself with much prayer, hope and perseverance; I have found ways to learn, cope and, hopefully, help others in their coping.  I found these techniques brought 'purpose and meaning' into perceptive. My puppet, George helped me clarify as to how anybody can easily get RSDS/CRPS with a slight injury.  In this case, George came to the Symposium with an ace bandage on his elbow with RSDS/CRPS from running to third base in a baseball game and hit his elbow.   Plus, George has given many people some laughter.  Laughter is healing and releases endorphins.   

In my next post, I will pen a poem that I wrote for all persons that attended the Symposium.
The poem is titled: 'TO MY FRIENDS IN THIS PLACE' 'RSDS/CRPS SYMPOSIUM'

Please remember as we walk this journey with whatever has become our dis-ease and/or inconveniences, there is purpose and meaning in it.  I have found for me, seeking something bigger than myself in helping others has been a vital key in living life on purpose.  First, and foremost, remember, in the beginning of being diagnosed with RSDS, I could not make it on my own and I had to reach out to others.  Now, I can reach out to others to help them and 'in turn' it helps me.  WE NEED ONE ANOTHER.  RSDS/CRPS has become a part of our lives but IT DOESN'T HAVE TO CONSUME US. 

Acceptance says: True, this is my situation at the moment.  I'll look unblinkingly at the reality of it.  But, I'll also open my hands to accept willingly whatever a loving Father sends me.
Catherine Marshall

As we encounter situations that we cannot change, we must learn the wisdom of acceptance .....and we must learn to trust God and/or in a higher being. 


Until next time,
God Bless
Doris