Posted by Mary on February 20, 2010
Well it’s been a long winter and February is the month we normally go to our timeshare in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen to enjoy the ocean and sunshine. It’s always nice to break up the long Minnesota winter but this year we won’t be going because I’m still home mending from my broken ankle and two surgeries. I’m still non-weight bearing so hopping along with my walker or if I’m out and about I use a wheelchair for safety. I’m tired of sitting, tired of television, tired of working on the computer and I long to stand up, stretch and walk normally. Who would have thought I’d be grateful for standing or walking? My muscles ache and it feels like my body is out of alignment for leaning to one side and balancing on one leg or trying to distribute my weight because of a cast, splint or boot.
I’ve tried getting out of the house more but then I need to use a wheelchair and I’ve noticed or rather I’ve been surprised at what “is” and what “is not” handicap accessible. Most buildings do NOT have a handicap entrance or automatic door opener so I sometimes wait for the kindness of strangers. My sister in law pointed out when we were in the rest room that while I could reach the sink and hand dryer from the wheel chair the soap was up too high for me to reach.
I notice that using a wheelchair in the snow and ice is safer but really messy; snow gets caught in the wheelchair and transfers onto my coat sleeve and clothes. It’s clumsy and messy to fold up the chair and load and unload it into the car each time we make a stop. You tend to leave puddles when you get inside of buildings or homes and walkers get slippery if the rubber tips or wheels get wet.
I’m glad I have the tools I have to get about but I’m more aware that I have to be the one to look out for other people so they don’t run into me or trip over my feet. My dear sister in law wanted to take me out to lunch and shopping and we laughed at her clumsiness trying to drive me around in a wheelchair, course that was when she wasn’t banging my feet into elevator walls or tipping the wheelchair when we hit cement bumps in the sidewalk. Anyway I made it safely there and back, we both enjoyed the day away and my husband got a chance to take a break and go Ice Fishing with his nephew which is important for those that have Caregiver duties.
I’m still bored but I am truly grateful that I am loved and I have options that keep me going and keep me positive. Next time you are out shopping be aware of those in wheel chairs they might need your help to open a door or to reach something, they just might be out trying to get rid of some Cabin Fever.
Mary
Posted by Mary on January 13, 2010
2009 was a busy year and like you I’ve had both celebrations and painful losses to acknowledge but all in all I am grateful. I am blessed and I wish the same for you. This year I want to focus on a theme that one of my friends reminded me of and that is that I offer “peace of mind” to adult children and their aging parents. If you know of anyone who needs a helping hand with their senior family member I would love the opportunity to assist with medical care management, holistic healing & relaxation or end of life coordination.
Wishing you all a very happy and successful new year!
Mary
I’m very pleased to announce that Mary Chapa, RN, President of Eliza One, Inc. has fulfilled the requirements and added to her qualifications the title of CSA, Certified Senior Advisor. “I wanted to add another layer of expertise but I also liked the level of accountability, Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility required when working with Seniors.” The society believes working with seniors requires both competance as well as a higher ethical standard and integrity.
Based on the demographics of our target client population 10,000 Americans turn 60 each day. This is one of the most profound demographic developments we have ever seen. The fastest-growing age group in the U.S. today is 85 and older based on 2004 census data.
For additional information on the Society and why it’s important to work with professionals that have this certification please follow this link: http://www.society-csa.com/default.aspx
Celebrating Caregivers and Families: Contributing Author Mary Chapa Announces the Release of “Priceless Caregiving: Stories of Elder Care Success, Courage and Strength”
Mary Chapa RN, President, author and elder care expert announces the release of the new book “Priceless Caregiving: Stories of Elder Care Success, Courage and Strength.” Mary is a contributing author in one of the most uplifting books to be written all year. Now released in paperback, Priceless Caregiving can be ordered through Amazon.com or by contacting her office locally.
Minneapolis Women’s ExpoJanuary 29 – 31, 2010 held at the Mpls. Convention Center http://www.mplswomensexpo.com/mpls/
Since I will be recovering from surgery I will not personally be at the event however my friend Rebecca Janke will have my book Priceless Caregiving available for sale at her booth Growing Communities for Peace. In addition I am sending bags from Women Heart that will include information on Women and Heart Disease, many of you know I lost my sister last spring unexpectedly from Cardiac Arrest and I want to honor her memory by sharing information with other women. http://www.womenheart.org/
I also want to announce that February 5th is National Wear Red Day, Heart disease is the No. 1 Killer of women..
GO RED FOR WOMEN and for my sister Faye, RED was her favorite color!
“No medicine is more valuable, none more efficacious, none better suited to the cure of all our temporal ills than a friend to whom we may turn for consolation in time of trouble, and with whom we may share our happiness in time of joy.” Saint Alfred of Rievaulx
A special thank you to all my family and friends who have sent their healing energy to me in person or through notes, calls, gifts or prayers during my healing – I love you all!
Mary
Posted by Mary on November 25, 2009
We arrived home from our little vacation in Mexico on Sunday November 15th but the trip wasn’t quite what we had planned and as they say “life is what happens when you are busy making plans.” During our lovely stay in Sayulita Mexico I fell and severely fractured my left ankle. After having surgery in a Mexican Hospital I returned home and as my friend Starr mentioned being handicapped is indeed a humbling experience and I have to agree. As I managed my emotions and limitations the past few days I realized for me there has to be a grieving process to acknowledge my loss of independence.
Some of the things I’ve experienced:
* I’m aware of what is handicap accessible and what is not when traveling
* Airport travel for the handicapped could really use some Quality Improvement
* I notice that people rarely pay attention to people in wheelchairs it’s like being invisible
* Getting in and out of cars is challenging and the use of Medi-Vans can be very costly
* Being limited to one room on the main level of my home is almost suffocating
* I miss sleeping in my own bed, it’s on another level of the house
* I am unable to drive of course and driving is a true symbol of independence
* Getting ready in the morning and taking a shower becomes a major activity
* I’m not able to work which compromises finances
* All my medical documentation is in Spanish and needs translation for insurance claims
* Feeling out of the loop; you become very aware of who has compassion and who stays connected
The most important thing I’ve learned these past few days is that I’m responsible for managing my healing, my own happiness but Compassion is always in style. In my next posting I will share more of my experiences with Travel, Insurance and medical care, what has worked for me and what was a total surprise.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mary
I’d like to recommend Lakes Medi-Van, Inc. serving MN, their toll free number is (800) 422 – 0976 our driver Lars made my first experience a very pleasant one - Thanks Lars!
Posted by Mary on August 7, 2009
I’m interested in Community and much comes to mind as I move in my circles of people and relationships ranging from casual to deep and abiding love for family, work, neighborhood or groups. The work I do helps individuals and families through transition and this offers me an experience to share in other communities that are very personal.
Lately I’ve been reading the book Community: the Structure of Belonging by Peter Block and he describes community as the “experience of belonging.” My community of family and friends comes to mind as I look at the birthday celebrations for August; my dear friend Joanne who moved back home to Canada to be near family had a birthday last Sunday and our friend Nancy will help her mother Rae celebrate her 99th Birthday next week. On August 19thwe will celebrate our sister Faye’s birthday, this will be a celebration of her memory since she died this past April and then there’s Mom’s birthday memory at the end of the month.
We build and participate in community and then we have a sense of loss as our members leave us and yet in the empty space someone or something new will appear. Last week I was up north with two women friends and as we spread our laptop computers on the dining room table both my friends were anxious to share websites for their children’s upcoming weddings. A celebration of new lives coming together with a promise of more new lives to be added to their families and I get to participate in the two celebrations by being a witness to shared joy and possibility. In the mist of my reflections I came across one of my favorite passages about Community by Starhawk; I share with you as you celebrate within your own communities.
COMMUNITY.
Somewhere, there are people
to whom we can speak with passion
without having the words catch in our throats.
Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us,
eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us
whenever we come into our own power.
Community means strength that joins our strength
to do the work that needs to be done>
Arms to hold us when we falter.
A circle of healing. A circle of friends.
Someplace where
we can be free.
Starhawk
Dreaming the Dream
Have a great weekend,
Mary
Posted by Mary on June 15, 2009
One of the kindest things about losing a loved one is that we tend to remember only the most wonderful stories about that person, all else is unimportant and forgotten. As I think of my sister Susie and look at her pictures and memorabilia surrounding me I remember all the most funny and delightful experiences we shared as sisters. I’m glad May is over because when I handed over the keys to her apartment for the last time it felt like I was reopening a wound - the total finality left me physically and emotionally spent. A part of me looked forward to the ending, being finished with the work of packing and unpacking all her personal belongings I was tired of making decisions about what to do with every item from the impractical to the personal stuff that represented her life. When the time came to meet the management company representative for the final walk through I realized too late that I shouldn’t have come alone, I felt sad and disoriented for the rest of the day
Considering the work I need to do to create my personal healing plan I need to start with the basics like rest, relaxation, healthy food, laughter and tenderly managing grief. What I know for sure is that I WILL heal I just wish I could fast forward the process, but perhaps I’d miss the significant life lessons along the way. I know my journey is easier with the loving support of family and friends, faithful friends tell you they won’t abandon you while you walk the path of healing reclaiming your joy and laughter.
Today I received an email from a fellow healer and she passed on a couple of you tube videos and the one that caught my eye was the one titled the Wounded Healer. I share this with my audience in hopes that we can all embrace our life events with gratitude and feel a shared sense of Community.
The Wounded Healer
Mary
Posted by admin on June 14, 2009
Posted by Mary on April 8, 2009
Barter, trade, exchange, swap, etc.
In it’s simplest form to Barter means “to trade goods or services without the exchange of money.” In these tough economic times I look at what I need to build a business and Bartering has become a viable avenue to access needed services. We all have something to offer in trade and before I give away my talent and skill I now take the opportunity to ask my fellow business associates to consider an exchange of services that has a fair exchange value for both of us. It’s funny but when I talk to my friends and associates we tend to under value our gifts and yet the reality is that we all have some skill or talent that someone else admires and needs. I have acquired many talents over the years and recently I’ve learned a lot about social networking; LinkedIn, Facebook and most recently how to use Word Press for blogging or posting articles on my business or various life interests. I have friends and associates that want to incorporate these tools to build their small business and I realize that I can teach them how to get started in these areas and in exchange they can help me in some other areas.
I think of my business as viable and worthy of the investment I have to make to nurture steady growth and I love helping collogues look for similar opportunities in their own business. This week I had a couple of business associates with valuable skills that I needed and I have some talents that they need, all it took was asking the question “would you consider a barter?” You might be surprised at how open people are to the fair exchange, I’ve watched my friend Lisa at Call That Girl Computer Repair consistently recognize her talents and speak with confidence as she barters her way to business success. Think about it, you have nothing to lose but an opportunity.
Recognizing talent when I see it,
Mary
Posted by Mary on February 28, 2009
Once upon a time there was a seasoned female executive who reinvented herself every few years, with a span of work that covered systems planning, nursing leadership, operations, sales, marketing and business development. Acknowledging her span of experience she yearned for the change that would merge her love of the healing arts with her zest for business strategy. Mary decided to go on a quest, taking time to reflect, experiment, learn and meet new people. She started an adventure to create work that is fun, financially rewarding and makes a meaningful contribution to the larger community.
Mary was inspired to start Eliza One, Inc. a business featuring healing therapies including Reiki, Healing Touch, Essential Oils and Holistic care coordination , as my friend Lisa tells me “just pack up your Healing in a Box and travel wherever the need calls you.”
-Mary Chapa, Owner
Eliza One, Inc.
