Equal Parts = Passion, Fear and Courage

Notice that Richard Branson has been given credit for the quote in the side image. I think Richard got it right. I am a member of a very elite group, and I feel pretty privileged to be so. You see, this small group of passionate individuals not only dreamed about such an idea, but actually implemented it. Like myself, they are wanderers and travelers - but with one specific purpose. Our ten-member group supports select patients from a local physician's office who have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Not only do we support and care for them, we do so passionately. No, we're not relatives; nor, were we friends before deciding to participate in this project together. Our common bond is the nurse, working in the doctor's office, who is kind enough to acquaint the patients with our free services. And, yes, we are a 501 (c) 3, as we have ongoing expenses, but draw no salaries. Appreciatively, our efforts are supported by contributions made by several kind physicians.  

You may ask why I bring up such a subject in a blog devoted to battling night-eating, over-eating and binge-eating syndromes. This is the reason: Did you know that most people who acquire Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also suffer with at least one of these eating disorders? 

If you read the description in the attached image, it sums it up perfectly. Take it one step further, and imagine how CFS victims are challenged in accomplishing everyday routine tasks. There's nothing easy about it. And, it gets worse. Some victims decide they just don't want to leave their homes anymore, because it's not worth the amount of precious energy they have to expend to accomplish something that seems so simple to the rest of us. And then there's the anxiety that accompanies CFS, as well. It's an egregious syndrome that makes most of its victims old before their time. So, given all of this information, this is where the purpose of "our" group, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support (CFSS), comes in.  

We do simple things like schedule an evening to "visit" with a CFS patient, go grocery shopping and/or run other routine errands for them. If you read the impact of CFS, in the above image, you'll understand why these patients can't do simple things for themselves. Many of them live alone as they don't have the energy levels to acquire, build and maintain familial and social relationships. You can also imagine that many of them spend a good deal of their 24-hour day in bed.  And, if they're most comfortable there, where do you think the most likely place for them to eat their meals would be? That's right, in bed.  

So, we try to give them balance. If we return books to the library for them, we ask that they gather the books, put them in plastic bags, and have them ready for us to deliver.  In turn, if they're checking out books, we ask that they have their library cards and book lists ready. If we're visiting with them at lunch or dinner time, we ask that they be up, dressed and have the table set and ready for us to be able to sit down and enjoy a nutritious meal with them - which we provide. We bring them funny hats; and, we may even wear them ourselves if we think it will make them feel better.  Recently, on a dare, I walked a patient's dog while wearing a Dr. Seuss hat I'd brought for her.   She laughed, and that's all I wanted. 

We all take turns on these projects working with different patients and weekly schedules prepared a month in advance. We have at least ten active members at all times - not seven - so no one particular person is always scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday, and there's always someone in reserve to handle a last-minute emergency - no matter what day of the week it falls on. That's right, we provide services seven days a week, because their battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome never takes a rest. I say this respectfully, and with no pun intended.

During the course of our visits, we counsel the patients on the importance of healthy eating – and that food is as much about fueling their bodies as it about filling their tummies. We also teach them limited and moderated exercise routines.  We do this not only in an effort to teach them how to battle the inevitable weight gain that usually accompanies limited or impaired activity levels, but also, because we want them to be aware of the pitfalls of night-eating, over-eating and binge-binge-eating. And, we bring them nutritious snacks in the forms of yogurt, fruits or raw vegetables - but only enough for one day.  

If you ask me what I get out of this, I'll tell you the simple truth. I'm also getting an education - and on so many levels. I'm interacting with patients who are far worse off than I, and the healthy eating habits I'm trying to implement for myself are being reinforced by educating others. I also have a living example in front of me that tells me how much worse my life could be. I envy the courage CFS victims demonstrate as they face their fears on a regular basis. When they wake up in the morning, they never know where their energy levels are going to be on a range of "1 - 10"; but, more often than not, it's at "3." Still, they work with that.  They know their energy limits, make what efforts they can, and schedule their rest periods accordingly so they can gracefully take on the next challenge.  As you can see, I’m pretty passionate about this project. But, my passion would be nothing, if not fueled by their courage.
Copyright © 1/1/2015 -      , CB, Bed Warrior