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Inspiring and empowering people to maximize their quality of life in spite of a chronic health condition or a disability |
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STEPS TO CHANGE |
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Issue # 14 September 2006 |
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This ezine is 100% opt-in. You are receiving it because you subscribed but may cancel by using the link at the end of this message. |
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IN THIS ISSUE |
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A chronic health condition can be a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery. Are
you ready to break free of the bindings that are holding you back from
discovering your
own personal level of optimal health? We all have one – no matter what the condition is that ails us. I
challenge you to want to discover yours! I take people from an overwhelmed existence to a comfortably paced lifestyle.
Contact me today for a fr~ee sample coaching session and get started on living your maximum life. |
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TRAVELS WITH TRISH |
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Well, Ernest and I are here at Opeongo Trail Resort for another week of holidays again. If you've been on my subscriber list for some time, you may have figured out by now that Opeongo is our favorite retreat. It's glorious! Click here to see some photos if you're interested. I know that I should never bring work on holidays but I just can't help it. It's just so peaceful up here that this is my most creative environment. If you've ever experienced "writer's block", I encourage you to try working outside where all you hear is the birds, the squirrels and the wind in the trees! It's great therapy for the creative soul! Now, let's see... what's new over this past summer?... If you haven't visited my website lately, you've just got to go there now. We've changed the colours, the theme, added some sound on the home page and added a great deal of content. In particular, check out the revised Net Resources pages. It's much more organized now and you'll find that the number of links included has increased. We've got plans to further develop the resources section in the coming months so stay tuned. :-) You'll also find the Programs and Fees page entirely redone. If you read my July newsletter, you may remember that on August 4th I was a guest on The Many Faces of Coaching Show, hosted by Rosemary Davies-Janes. This is an online radio show that featured me that day as an "innovative individual (who is) launching coaching into uncharted territory". The title of my segment was called "Maximizing a Minimized Life". If you weren't able to tune into the live show, drop by Rosemary's site to listen to the recorded version. If you find the recording informative and/or motivational, email me to order your own copy on CD for only $5.99 US including shipping. Click here to check out the cool commercial I recently had produced! To those of you who subscribed to my newsletter just recently: Welcome to my readership! I truly appreciate your interest. Feel free to forward my newsletters to anyone who you think may benefit from them. Till next time, take care and God bless. ~~ Trish :-) trish@changingpaces.com ~~ 905-967-3014 ~~ www.ChangingPaces.com |
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POST-DIAGNOSIS SUPPORT *NEW* |
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AFTER
THE DIAGNOSIS:
WHAT'S NEXT?
POST-DIAGNOSIS
SUPPORT PROGRAM AN
8-PART TELECLASS SERIES Over this
8-week intensive, we'll walk through the critical steps necessary to
achieve positive and powerful living despite being diagnosed with a
chronic illness. You will: ·
Have a chance to see that you’re not alone, ·
Find comfort in the discovery that others have
the same difficulties that you do, ·
Learn about both unique and similar perspectives
to your own, ·
Decide how you can make the transition from
denial to acceptance, ·
Be invited to approach life in a way that will
enable you to transform your outlook from uncertainty to hope, ·
Create a healthy emotional foundation so that you
can shift from reactive to proactive living, ·
Learn tried and true
strategies to be empowered to take control of your life. This is an
opportunity to break down the anxieties and the isolation that
are inherent for many who live with chronic illness.
RESERVE YOUR
SPACE! All sessions are on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 pm (Eastern/NY time) This series will be limited to ONLY 6 participants so register NOW by emailing postdiagnosis@changingpaces.com with “Sign Me Up” in the subject line OR call 905-967-3014.
The
next series will start in January.
Email
me today to add your name to the waiting
list. Cost: If you're ready to move past the
trauma of your diagnosis and through the steps to finding your optimal
health, then email
me NOW and we'll travel that
journey together. |
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FEATURE ARTICLE |
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SEEKING TREATMENT - NO SIMPLE ANSWERS We’ve all been exposed to traditional western medicine since that’s the “norm” in our society in North America; however, for those of us with a chronic health condition, western medicine doesn’t always have the answers that we seek. If you have something as “clear cut” as a broken leg (sorry for that, couldn’t resist <g>), western medicine has the remedy down pat. On the other hand, if your condition is at the opposite end of the definitive scale and you have a condition such as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RDS for short), then the answer is far more illusive. RDS – never heard of it? That’s my point – many doctors haven’t either. (Click here to find out more about RDS). Of course if we undeniably need surgery, have a known treatable condition or are plagued with an infection that will respond to antibiotics, then western medicine is a Godsend. If on the other hand, the cause for the condition of our ill health is far less conclusive, then alternative or complimentary treatments can be very intriguing. Many agree that western medicine is the cornerstone to health care in our part of the world but for those of us with conditions that are not easily diagnosed this model of medicine often leads us from one doctor to another, to another with little validation for our suffering. We’re left feeling as if it must be psychological because no one can find a physical cause. That’s pretty depressing to say the least! On the other hand, some of us are “blessed with” acute conditions that are easily diagnosed and are therefore taken seriously when we present ourselves for treatment. At the very least, we need to be prepared to educate ourselves about our condition. In my experience, medical doctors often don’t tell us the whole story (I’m assuming) so as not to scare us or to ensure that we won’t present next time with the worst-case scenario. I believe that knowledge is power and the fear of the unknown is far more paralyzing than any possible prognosis. Alternative practitioners that I’ve encountered have been far more likely to tell you what they know and far less likely to brush you off as a hypochondriac. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve met some wonderful medical doctors in the course of my battle with chronic illness but I have to say that my chiropractor is my primary health care provider. He doesn’t just listen for dis-ease; he also listens for what’s working. Complimentary medicine is wellness based and takes a very holistic approach to health. I respect that. In the end, most of us agree that no matter what ails us, the best course of action for treatment is a serious dose of open-mindedness in finding the right combination of both western and complimentary medicines. The key is finding the right balance and the right professionals to trust with our health care. |
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FEEDBACK FORUM |
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"I want to thank you so much for being such a wonderful coach for me. I can hardly believe how working with you has helped me to make the changes I have made, and to enable me to set my life in motion. I am sure I would not be where I am today if it hadn't been for your support. You have such a natural capability to motivate with your positive attitude, your understanding and compassion. I truly believe that anyone who has you in their court will gain successes they never realized they could meet, let alone surpass! Again, thank you so much, you are priceless!!!" PC is a financial entrepreneur living with chronic depression |
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CHUCKLES TO LIGHTEN YOUR DAY |
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NEW
POLICY
It was getting a little crowded in Heaven, so God decided to change the admittance policy. The new policy was that in order to get into Heaven, you had to have had a really bummer day on the day that you died. The policy would go into effect on the next day. So, the next day at 12:01 the first person came to the gates of Heaven. The Angel at the gate, remembering the new policy, promptly said to the man, "Before I let you in, I need you to tell me how your last day was going when you died." "No problem," the man said. "I came home to my 25th-floor apartment on my lunch hour and caught my wife having an affair. But her lover was nowhere in sight. I immediately began searching for him. My wife was half naked and yelling at me as I searched the entire apartment. Just as I was about to give us, I happened to glance out onto the balcony and noticed that there was a man handing off the edge by his fingertips! The nerve of that guy! "Well, I ran out onto the balcony and stomped on his fingers until he fell to the ground. But wouldn't you know it, he landed in some trees and bushes that broke his fall and he didn't die. This ticked me off even more. In a rage, I went back inside to get the first thing I could get my hands on to throw at him. Oddly enough, the first thing I thought of was the refrigerator. I unplugged it, pushed it out onto the balcony and tipped it over the side. It plummeted 25 stories and crushed him! The excitement of the moment was so great that I had a heart attack and died almost instantly." The Angel sat back and thought a moment. Technically, the guy did have a bad day. It was a crime of passion. So, the Angel announced, "OK sir. Welcome to the Kingdom of Heaven," and let him in. A few seconds later, the next guy came up. The Angel said to the guy, "Before I can let you in, I need to hear about what your day was like when you died." The man said, "No problem. But you're not going to believe this. I was on the balcony of my 26th-floor apartment doing my daily exercises. I had been under a lot of pressure so I was really pushing hard to relieve my stress. I guess I got a little carried away, slipped and accidentally fell over the side! Luckily, I was able to catch myself by the fingertips on the balcony below. "But all of a sudden, this crazy man comes rushing out of his apartment, starts cursing and stomps on my fingers. Well, of course I fell. I hit some trees and bushes at the bottom which broke my fall so I didn't die right away. As I'm laying there face up on the ground, unable to move and in excruciating pain, I see the guy push a refrigerator of all things off the balcony! It falls the 25 floors and lands on top of me, killing me instantly." The Angel is quietly laughing to himself as the guy finishes his story. "I could get used to this new policy," he thinks to himself. "Very well," the Angel says. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Heaven," and he lets the guy enter. A few seconds later, a third guy comes up to the gate. The Angel says to the guy, "Before I can let you in, I need to hear about what your day was like when you died." The man says, "OK, picture this: I'm naked inside a refrigerator..." |
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FR~EE RESOURCES |
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Assets and Abilities:Your
Guide to Work, Income Security and Multiple Sclerosis
An MS Society of Canada publication outlining workplace issues and support programs. Available by calling 1-800-268-7582 or visiting the MS Society website. Click on "MS Information", then "Publications" and follow the links to publications posted under "Managing Specific Issues". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TeleSupport
Group
Support
for People with a Chronic Health Condition
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WORDS TO CONSIDER |
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THE PEA
STORY
Babs Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me. "Hello Barry, how are you today?" "H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya.
Jus' admirin' them peas. Sure look good." "Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time." "Good. Anything I can help you with?" "No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas." "Would you like to take some home?" "No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with." "Well, what have you got to trade me for some of those peas?" "All I got's my prize marble here." "Is that right? Let me see it." "Here 'tis. She's a dandy." "I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" "Not zackley. but almost." "Tell you what. Take this sack of
peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red
marble." Mrs. Miller, who had been standing
nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are
two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor
circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples,
tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and
they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering. Several years went by, each more rapid that the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes. When our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. "Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt." "We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho." With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles. Moral of the story: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. |
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ABOUT TRISH |
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Trish Robichaud is a Maximum Life Coach who lives with major depression and multiple sclerosis. Her passion is helping people to maximize their quality of life in spite of a chronic health condition or a disability. Through the process of coaching, she takes her clients from a state of overwhelm to a comfortably-paced lifestyle. Trish facilitates TeleClasses and a monthly TeleSupport Group at no charge to participants as well as publishes a free monthly electronic newsletter. Her services also include Disability Awareness Coaching for organizations through interactive experiential workshops. Her background is in business with training and extensive experience in supportive counseling and life skills facilitation. Together with her vast experience advocating for people with disabilities, her success with her own personal journey makes her ideally suited to coaching others through their life and vocational transitions. She can be found on the web at www.ChangingPaces.com. |
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© 2003-2005 Trish Robichaud, All rights reserved |
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