MLWT Book Discussions
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Created by maria

Book for February & March: Unexpected Blessings by Roxanne Black

It's funny how life works~ just when you think you don't need something, a little message appears reminding you not to be so hasty.

I was in the throes of restructuring the MLWT network, I just ran across a recommended readings list in my latest Lupus Now magazine from the Lupus Foundation of America, and was buried with personal emails, tweets and direct messages from so many patients looking to be heard. Then, I received an email from a marketing rep for Roxanne's new book - which just happended to be listed in that LFA reading list. I was not only offered a book to review, but I was offered another opportunity to learn, grow and rejoice in the spirit so many lupus patients share.

I've decided to stretch this book out over two months, because I suspect there will be a lot to discuss as we go through it. If you are thinking that "here is yet another person talking about their lupus struggles", you are right. However, don't let that stop you from picking up this book, because you will be missing out on, not only her own stories, but stories of others living with illness and disability, some of whom will be familiar to you. She is also the founder of the Friends' Health Connection, which I just recently became acquainted with. What she started back in 1988 at the tender age of 16 reflects my own hope for MLWT. I was embarrassed to realize that what I was in the middle of building here in the Pacific Northwest had already been built on a national scale years before and I wondered how many others didn't know about it? Now, there are many networks to choose from to meet and discuss health challenges with others, but I want to bring forth the Friends' Health Connection as the wellness maverick that started it all.

Her book has been well received by many health professionals and her writing is a pleasure to absorb. I think there will be something here for everyone. It will take us beyond lupus toward living with many different challenges, meanwhile celebrating the opportunities to connect with others on various levels of kindness.

Please join us~ we will begin the first week of February

last month
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  • maria

    Jessica M 



    Just downloaded it, and am looking forward to getting started!

    last month

  • maria

    G R 



    This sounds like an interesting book. I'll have to look for a copy of it.

    last month

  • maria

    My Life Works Today:



    I'm speaking with Roxanne on the phone tomorrow to see if she'll be able to stop by from time to time and join us in the discussion. She's already offered her support, so it looks good. :) Keep you posted~

    last month

  • maria

    So, as usual, life got busy and so did my lupus.  However, I’m doing some catching up and wanted to post some updates on the group discussion (although it has really been me just throwing things about there to get it all started.)  Here goes~



     



    I did end up having that phone conversation with Roxanne (Black), after some rescheduling due to my cold.  I first want to say that she is an amazingly genuine and sincere person, not only on paper but also on the phone.  She is open and her intention to make connections for and with others living with illness shines through in all she does.  If you haven’t already visited the program that she started many years ago, which set the mold for networks such as this one here, I encourage you to do so.  You don’t have to become a member to take advantage of some key web conferences and familiar celebrity speakers~ it’s free!  You can find her and her Friends' Health Connection at



     



    http://www.friendshealthconnection.org/home.html



     



    I’ve written up a quick review...she has so many and they all basically say what I would say.  My review focused on why I would pick up the book to have as a reference.  You can read that at http://mylifeworkstoday.com/2010/02/28/unexpected-blessings-and-reassuring-connections-part-1/  .



     



    Here are a couple of topics that I’ve presented on the Shelfari.com book group regarding this book, which are more to broaden the discussion than to actually talk about her writing or specific stories.  This book is a very easy read and looks at her particular experiences though her stories.  I want to bridge that by adding our own experiences within these topics and provide a chance to share amongst ourselves.  If you want to read more of what I contributed to each topic personally, you can go to http://www.shelfari.com/groups/41918/discussions/180882/Book-for-February-and-March-Unexpected-Blessings-by-Roxanne-Blac



     



    Topic



    What was your diagnostic reaction or experience? Did you feel an immediate need to connect with others or did you need to settle in first? Do you still find yourself using the same way of coping or have your strategies changed to include sources and methods you never thought you would? With the internet growing as it has since Roxanne started her network, do you find yourself using the online opportunities out there or do you prefer to maintain some privacy in handling your health challenges on your own or with sticking with people close to you?



     



    Topic



    Do you struggle with the sense of betrayal or do you take on the 'survivor' mode of thinking and step into battle when your lupus flares? If you are new to lupus, then you are probably still trying to figure things out - and I think Roxanne's book offers some insights in that very crucial time. If you are a veteran like I am (about a decade and counting), you may have been able to resolve the comparisons between survivor and victim. What are some of the ways you work through this comparison and what can you offer as suggestions for those still knee-deep into the process?



    Topic



    Is there someone in your life, past or present, who you feel, out of sheer inspiration (or, as in my case, flagrant apathy), was instrumental in pushing you towards learning more about yourself – becoming more bold or learning to pace more conservatively? How about life aside from illness and just in general? Do you still seek this individual for their qualities or have you developed, just as Roxanne did, a new sense of your own personal style in tackling the chaos that life throws at you? Do you feel as though you could now be that person who could inspire someone else?



     



    Either add your responses here or bring up topics of your own.  Roxanne will be peeking in from time to time to see what your have to say and will comment back, so take advantage of her generosity!

    last week

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