Introducing CarePlace
I’ve found a terrific website or, rather, it found me. Jenny, from CarePlace, sent me an invitation to check it out and share my impressions, opinions and ideas. She, Ben and the rest of the CarePlace team want to create a privacy protective, member only comfort zone for those dealing with their own challenges and those who care for them and want to help. I qualify on both issues, having lived my life on both sides. Lupus NewsLog has a similar intent and approach because the more we learn and the more we share, the more positive possibilities we will discover and everybody can benefit.
As the Internet grows older and wiser, our communities are adapting and expanding to meet our deeper needs. CarePlace is a resourceful site with a multi-dimensional mode, almost like an information mall made for morale-boosting and strongly encouraging individual involvement. We all have both needs and gifts and CarePlace is a gathering ground where both can be enriched.
Many years ago Margaret Mead wrote, “Never doubt that a small group of committed individuals can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”. Those of us who are true believers always reach out together to create change.
Ben, Jenny and CarePlace have made such a powerful impression on me that I’ve joined, taking part in discussions and starting an onsite journal. As I wrote recently in
Who is this Strange Dame?I’m used to writing about lupus, not about me but I do believe it’s time for this ol’ wolf wrangler to learn some new tricks.
Luciano de Creszeno wrote, “We are, each of us, one-winged angels and we can only fly by embracing one another”. This has been my email signature quote and my personal motto for a very long time - it is the belief that gave wings to our Butterfly newsletter and still breathes life into these Lupus NewsLog pages.
A principal of Buddhism is, “Life is suffering”, but for a purpose. If we live, suffer and strive to grow beyond our pain, we gain so much that can elevate our own lives and help to uplift others. Come check out
CarePlacewith me - you’re likely to find something there, to give and receive, that will refresh your spirit.
Next Lupus Live Chat March 21st!
Don't forget to tune in for the next
Lupus Live Chat at the Lupus Foundation of America on Wednesday, March 21 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, USA. This live online chat will offer recent research info on Kidney Involvement in Lupus. Renal or kidney problems are common in lupus and are among the leading causes of death. Please take your health seriously - even if this isn't an issue in your health, we never know what the future holds and the more we learn, the better we can plan for a healthier, happier, longer life.
Who is this Strange Dame?
Since my work is about lupus and not about me, that question has only been answered in relation to my life with lupus, in
"Living Beyond Acceptance" in our Lupus NewsLog Thrivers’ pages. Even getting that done took months of pleading, pressure and massive infusions of chocolate before it was published and still it was ordered back to the typewriter for more answers to more questions. I’ve had major surgery that was lots more fun.
Finally, in answer to the misplaced prayers of misguided friends, family, readers and my favorite publisher, I’ll be writing in a personal weblog - uh-oh, be careful what you pray for! Rose Harris, one of my favorite friends, kinfolk, writers and my co-columnist at the famed but now defunct Everyday Warriors has asked me to co-write her weblog, Strange Dame. Rose’s health makes it too hard for her to do alone anymore. I can’t refuse her anything and I’ve gotta admit the name is apt so I’ve already started.
Lupus NewsLog will continue, with my research and writing and Chris’s creation of more yummy, healthy recipes. This is such marvelous work; I meet the most heroic people, who don’t even know they’re exceptional - they’re just doing what they believe in, working in the way that fulfills them. Like Patricia Ionea, the creator of Lupus Romania who‘s also constructing the official Lupus Foundation of Romania. You’ll realize what an historical achievement and breakthrough this is once you read
"Welcoming Lupus Romania”and Patricia’s story,
"Learn To Live Again" (Invata Sa Traiesti Din Nou)in our Thrivers’ section.
It's no wonder why I love this work and I think my work at Strange Dame will swing in sync with my work at Lupus NewsLog, going full-circle and tying it all together with a zippy little bow. But whatever will I write about? Shall I discuss my tri-lingual cats, my Subaru-sized fish, my fascinating family and friends, my previously private sex life and unusual marriage proposals, my place in world events, my world travels and inter-planetary interactions or just stick to the truth? Which of these might be the truth and which might be delusions? What if all are both? Sufferin’ Succotash!
Whatever comes up at
Strange Dame it’ll be more sassy than somber because that matches Rose and me just fine. From our email conversations over the years and my lupie bio, some of you seem to have a pretty good idea of what I’m made of and what fuels my drive. Now, the word-portrait will be more dimensional. If you stop by and come up with comments or suggestions, drop me a line or two. Just don’t cuss me out or I’ll sic my cats on you and they‘ll lick, tickle and talk you to death in three languages.
Lupus Foundation of America - On Our Side
The next Live Lupus Chats at the
Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) will be "Kidney Involement in Lupus" on Wed. March 21st and "Diet and Nutrition for People with Lupus" on Wed. April 11th.
There is also an ongoing interactive poll at LFA that helps you contribute to greater understanding of lupus by answering the questions of the week. Both chats and poll are linked on the LFA's home page so check in often to learn more about lupus and to help others' to do the same.
The LFA has so much to offer us. A non-profit organization, it uses contributions to support clinical research, help provide education and support for lupies like us, to raise public and governmental awareness and to work for legislation that will help define and strengthen our patient rights while speeding effective research.
Get to know the LFA - they're volunteers, working hard on our side and they can use our support as much as we need theirs.
LFA Responds to Dr. Phil's Comments about Lupus
March 6, 2007
The Lupus Foundation of America is concerned about and wants to correct misinformation given by "Dr. Phil" on his USA television show on March 5th. This is an important article so I hope you'll read it. Please remember, even well-known 'experts' aren't always expert in all their opinions. I remember this TV personality in his first Oprah appearances telling women they were "fat" and it was their "own fault". I saw some of those women break down and cry in humiliation - so far, humiliation and public shaming have not proven to be weight-loss solutions and it doesn't take a PhD to figure that out. Even then, clinical obesity research proved there are many factors affecting people's weight, most of them having little or nothing to do with "fault". Dr. Phil is a television personality not a medically specific lupus or obesity doctor and sometimes speaks outside his area of education and expertise. For factual obesity or lupus information - or any medical condition - please seek out the real experts and act in your own best interests.