What New Thursday!.............
Marti,
You must have been shaking. I would have woken Tom up and to heck with being nice.
The training last night was awesome. We had a panel of clients and their parents. They told their stories from birth of their child, discovering the developmental disabilities, then finding help and the ways our agency has enriched their lives. I have so much respect for them. It takes a super special parent to deal with these problems on a day to day basis. Each one does this with pure LOVE!!
As we were filling out the ususal paper work, I over heard two staff people talking - both in their early 20's. One was almost in tears. Her mother, about my age, was just told by her doctor that she MUST have WLS or will die from health related problems. The young woman said she only knew this was a very risky procedure with many complications afterwards.
I HAD to stick my nose in the conversation. I explained that I had this done and that I lead the support groups. At first she commented that I don't look like I have ever had a weight problem. HA-HA!!!
We ended up sitting and talking for about 30 minutes. I gave her one of my cards, invited her to a support group meeting and said to contact me any time with questions. She gave me a big, warm hug and said she will be in touch soon. It was obvious that she felt relieved after talking to me. This morning I have already received an e-mail from her.
I feel like there was a bigger purpose than staff training for me to be there last night. That feels special to me.
Annette
You must have been shaking. I would have woken Tom up and to heck with being nice.
The training last night was awesome. We had a panel of clients and their parents. They told their stories from birth of their child, discovering the developmental disabilities, then finding help and the ways our agency has enriched their lives. I have so much respect for them. It takes a super special parent to deal with these problems on a day to day basis. Each one does this with pure LOVE!!
As we were filling out the ususal paper work, I over heard two staff people talking - both in their early 20's. One was almost in tears. Her mother, about my age, was just told by her doctor that she MUST have WLS or will die from health related problems. The young woman said she only knew this was a very risky procedure with many complications afterwards.
I HAD to stick my nose in the conversation. I explained that I had this done and that I lead the support groups. At first she commented that I don't look like I have ever had a weight problem. HA-HA!!!
We ended up sitting and talking for about 30 minutes. I gave her one of my cards, invited her to a support group meeting and said to contact me any time with questions. She gave me a big, warm hug and said she will be in touch soon. It was obvious that she felt relieved after talking to me. This morning I have already received an e-mail from her.
I feel like there was a bigger purpose than staff training for me to be there last night. That feels special to me.
Annette
Annette 
Annette:
Isn't it wonderful how God puts us in the right place at the right time....and you are so special. Thank you for giving the young lady your time and care.
I've been going to ask you about stopping to see you when my brother and I come out east in September.
We plan to go up thru N.Y. all the way to Maine and then down the east coast. Would love to stop and say hello.
I've already warned my bro we'd be stopping to see several ladies - and he said okay!
Hugs,
Pat R.
Isn't it wonderful how God puts us in the right place at the right time....and you are so special. Thank you for giving the young lady your time and care.
I've been going to ask you about stopping to see you when my brother and I come out east in September.
We plan to go up thru N.Y. all the way to Maine and then down the east coast. Would love to stop and say hello.
I've already warned my bro we'd be stopping to see several ladies - and he said okay!
Hugs,
Pat R.
(on MySpace, MSN, Web pages, Blogs...)
Done! Your Ticker:
When you know more details we can talk and make plans. OH YAY AND YIPPEE!
taught me to reach out and touch other lives. 
Annette:
I have been in that position a few times too, and I hoped that I pushed someone in the right direction. I never said, "You should do this," but told them how it had changed my life for the better. Actually, what I've said is that it saved my life. I did that once on the cruise while we were in the gift shop looking at T-shirts ... the one woman was looking for 3x and not finding them in the sale pile ... I told her I used to have to do that, but now I was into mediums. Then I told her how and showed her my "before" picture. She gasped. My brother (who needs to lose weight also, and keeps telling me how he's starting his diet "today" every week when we talk) smiled and shook his head. I said, "If I can help one person get the help I got, then I've paid it forward, I've done my job."
I think you've done your job this week, Annette.
I have been in that position a few times too, and I hoped that I pushed someone in the right direction. I never said, "You should do this," but told them how it had changed my life for the better. Actually, what I've said is that it saved my life. I did that once on the cruise while we were in the gift shop looking at T-shirts ... the one woman was looking for 3x and not finding them in the sale pile ... I told her I used to have to do that, but now I was into mediums. Then I told her how and showed her my "before" picture. She gasped. My brother (who needs to lose weight also, and keeps telling me how he's starting his diet "today" every week when we talk) smiled and shook his head. I said, "If I can help one person get the help I got, then I've paid it forward, I've done my job."
I think you've done your job this week, Annette.
Eileen,
You have paid it forward many times over!!! It is so true that we can't push another person into WLS, but we can easily tell them of our journey.
Today in the dental office the nurse was reading my chart. She has a close friend who had surgery in another town and is not doing very well. She asked if I minded answering a few questions about my own experience.
That practice offers no education before or after the surgery - they just move people through like a bunch of cattle. Many people go there because there is little or no waiting period then have major problems. It is disgraceful.
Any way, I whipped out my card with the support group info on it and invited them to a meeting. Looks like our group will have more new people.
I am beginning to feel like the WLS Support Group Ambassador the past couple of days. That feels darned good.
Annette
You have paid it forward many times over!!! It is so true that we can't push another person into WLS, but we can easily tell them of our journey.
Today in the dental office the nurse was reading my chart. She has a close friend who had surgery in another town and is not doing very well. She asked if I minded answering a few questions about my own experience.
That practice offers no education before or after the surgery - they just move people through like a bunch of cattle. Many people go there because there is little or no waiting period then have major problems. It is disgraceful.
Any way, I whipped out my card with the support group info on it and invited them to a meeting. Looks like our group will have more new people.
I am beginning to feel like the WLS Support Group Ambassador the past couple of days. That feels darned good.
Annette
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