Well-Come!

Well-Come to Agent for Change, a blog created by Marly Silverman, to serve as a catalyst for change that is much needed on the issues affecting millions of individuals stricken with neuroendocrineimmune disorders worldwide. Through this blog I want to share ideas, exchange, communicate and find solutions for everyday living. The goal is to pursue quality of life that will make a difference in the lives of individuals with neuroendocrineimmune disorders (NEIDs).

Thursday, November 11, 2010

I CANNOT IMAGINE OUR OVERALL COMMUNITY WITHOUT SOMEONE LIKE YOU


by Marly Silverman

I haven’t been blogging lately. Because of the time, stamina and physical efforts allocated for personal medical issues, it is not a priority for me.  I do admire those who can do blog and share their voice. It is a special gift that they have indeed.

As I recently laid in bed trying to recoup from a trip the CFS Advisory Committee and to the New Jersey CFS Association Fall Conference, I wondered whether what I do really matters. Does it create change? Does it make a difference? Does it have an impact on quality of life of the chronic ill?

As I had this fleeting moment of self-pity, I reminded myself of how lucky I truly am to be part of our overall patient advocacy Community for NeuroEndocrineImmune disorders (NEIDs). I realized that it was quite illogical to think otherwise.

I simply cannot image our overall Community without someone like you, the reader, somewhere within the U.S. or living in another foreign land.  You could either be a patient with daily struggles or a caregiver wondering whether you will be strong enough to be there for your loved one, another single day.

The thing is, that whoever and wherever you are, you truly matter to me and to the organization for which I volunteer, as often as I am able and possibly can. Although I am extremely optimistic about the opportunities that are present in the current advocacy arena for individuals with NEIDs,  I am concerned that things are getting a little out of hand in the forums I have recently visited and on the types of posts I have been forwarded lately. I am concerned that the unity among the many voices remains fragile. I am afraid that the agreement in the core issues we so badly need to remain united, are being fractured. I am concerned that because of the anonymity of the Internet, individuals may feel a false entitlement to nastiness and use the Internet as a vehicle to sheer bitterness that is counterproductive and hurtful.

I don’t expect, and would not want, everyone to be identical in the manner through which we advocate for the overall Cause. We need the different points of view, the life experiences, and the personal insight and wisdom that individuals bring and come from our overall diversity; however, I certainly have concerns about the ongoing tone I see, read about, and find are being expressed in some of the patient forums.

Although I cannot even begin to explain why this is happening and cannot control individual behavior, I do see the sad results. I am sure I am not the only one. If you agree with me, then join me in speaking up but do it with respect and kindness. 

At the core of these disagreements are lack of trust coupled with a sense of rage that can be quite unproductive and destructive toward others advocate colleagues. It does not surprise me that it is often self-destructive too.   

Anger is needed and required for individuals in order to create change and make a difference; however, rage is not. Although anger directs us towards strong advocacy and making noise and pushes us to take ownership of our present and future, rage does not accomplish the same effect, reaction, and results. Anger is the first step towards empowerment. Rage, on the other hand, does not provide the balance and acuity that is needed for noble actions. In a moment of rage, as history teaches us, individuals engage in behavior that can kill, maim, destroy, and inspire others to commit horrible crimes against humanity. Over and over we see this kind of behavior in the news, in schools, at the work environment, in politics and often and unfortunately in many homes across the world.

Not a day goes by without us being exposed to rage depicted on Youtube.com for the whole word to see. It is at those times, we all wonder about civility, kindness and personal responsibility.

When rage is directed toward a fellow patient advocate in a manner that generates controversy, hurt, misunderstanding, and distrust, the reality is that we all lose the collective strength we need to fight the good battles and to win the main prize: quality of life for every patient stricken with a NeuroEndocrineImmune illness. When one of us unkindly knock down someone’s effort, and for whatever righteous reason, we all become weaker in our collective efforts. When rage happens or is manifested toward another fragile human being, we all feel the pain, simply because we are a Village, so to speak. 

Why does this continue to happen? Have we not matured as a patient advocacy community enough to learn from past mistakes? Why do we keep repeating them over and over?

I cannot imagine our Community without individuals like Tom Hennessy, Jr., and the “elders” or pioneers of our advocacy community, such as Mary Schweitzer.  Can you imagine our community now without Cort Johnson, Hillary Johnson, Christophe Cairns, and Khaily Castle? How about John Herd?

How about a Community without Drs. Kenneth Friedman, Judy Mikovits, Lenny Jason, Dan Peterson, Paul Chenney, Ben Natelson, and Nancy Klimas? How about Dr. Dharam Ablashi and Rosemay Underhill? Without the scientific and medical work that they have and continue to provide us, where would we be today?

How about Jennifer Spotila, Brian Smith, Kim McCleary, and Dr. Suzanne Vernon? Can we truly imagine our Community without them? I cannot.

I cannot imagine our overall community without Sandi Lanford, Veny W. Musum, Carol Fish, Steven Krafchick, Jason Newfield, Mary Ann Parker, Brad Ellis, Sharon Stapleton, Kathryn Stephens, and Karen Ravitz, and so many more. These individuals are cut of a different mold and are making a difference every day using their professional and personal skills. They sacrifice their personal lives to speak up for you and for me.

How about a Community without Bob Miller, Patricia Carter, Rivka, Mike Dessin, Ruth R., Sita Harrison, and Andrea Martell? How about Jill Justiss, Rik Carlson, Rich Carson, Jo Best, Barbara Stafford, Tessie Tess, and Lydia Neilson? How about our community without Daniel Moricoli, Paula Hayward, and Franky Nolan?  How about the strong voices of Kathryn Stephens, Sharon Stapleton, Betty McConnel, and Pat LaRosa? How about the kindness, concerns and creativity of Keith Baker, Frank Opp deBeck, Jerry Rice, and Peter Benko? How about the persistence of Susan Cue-Sagman and  Donna Boyer? How about the professionalism and dedication of aCeleste Cooper, Dorothy Wall, Yvonne Keeny, Sharon Ferber, Sharon Ostalecki, Sabrina Johnson, Mary Bennett, Pam Bennett, and Lynne Matallana?  I am on a roll… and I could go on for pages.

These individuals are all from different backgrounds, gender, countries, and life experiences, yet they all share the same goal—quality of life for individuals stricken with NeuroEndocrineImmune illnesses. Each one contributes in their very own special way to our overall Community.

In my Community, I cannot imagine not having the friendship and collaboration of Lynn Bousquet, Sebastian Chico, Andrea Pring, Yvette Taylor, and Tina Tidmore. In my Community, I cannot imagine not having the friendship, support, and the example of great personal courage and conviction of Annette Whittemore, Lisa Baldwin, Jill McLaughlin, Barbara Soliday, Etel Barborka, Denise Lopez-Majano and Patricia Fero, mothers of children with CFS-ME and fibromyalgia who stand up to the status quo and with their influence, tenacity, and resilience have moved mountains, each in their own special way.

In my Community I cannot imagine not having the support and caring friendship of Bonnie Meyers, Teresa Reid, Pat Mayer, Ellen B., Kathy Kohler, and all of the founding board members of P.A.N.D.O.R.A.  I simply cannot imagine where I would be without P.A.N.D.O.R.A.‘s past and current board members, community advisors, and Advocates Extraordinaire™. How about Rebecca Artman, who is my twin CFS sister; as well as George Viňa, Jenny Torres, Dr. Lina Garcia, David Adonailo, Karen Sacks, Mike Dessin Connie Borschel and Bonnie Thornber? I cannot imagine my world without them.

I cannot imagine...not having the support of all my Facebook advocate colleagues, all 717 of them, plus all the supporters of P.A.N.D.O.R.A. and of our overall efforts.  I regret not being able to list every one here. If you are interested in knowing who they are, just go to my Facebook page. 

Lastly, I cannot imagine...not having the love of my family and friends and the love and caring concern of my husband Stephen, and of my son Lawrence.

Can you really imagine our Community missing ANY one of these individuals?  I cannot. Neither should you.

If you think otherwise, you are free of course, to express yourself, but I sincerely ask you to please make your point kindly and don’t beat me up for having the courage to speak up on these touching and difficult issues. I can no longer remain silence. The time is now. Let us ACT NOW!  AND AS



P.S. As we will be celebrating Thanksgiving in the U.S. soon, I think it is now more than ever fitting to be thankful and grateful for what we have, and to work together for WHAT WE NEED.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I mentioned Sharon Stapleton and Karen Stephens twice on my latest blog. It was a GOOD mistake...big happy grin on my face. I also found a couple of typos which I apologize... with sad grin.
Marly

Unknown said...

Marley,
You make an outstanding point about human decency, respect and civility while enacting change. May everyone try to understand and adopt this direction. Negative actions, no matter how loud, do not get positive results.
Dorothy Osbourne
Hollywood, FL

Aunt Pat said...

Marly, This is such an excellent blog. Someone had to say this and you said it so beautifully. Thank you so much for being MY friend. I don't know what I'd do without you.
Pat Mayer

Unknown said...

Marly, your message is timely and full of truth and zeal. I cannot imagine our community without you.

Unknown said...

Marly, I am alone in my room but there is applause being heard in my heart. Excellent blog. And I appreciate it as I too have been concerned over the infighting. No one way is totally correct. And all of the organziations are needed as are all of the patients.
Thank you.

Jennie Spotila said...

This is a beautiful post, Marly. I cannot imagine our community without you. I agree 100% that every voice is needed. We cannot distract ourselves with infighting. Constructive criticism is great, tearing someone down is destructive. Let's use our anger to bring about change, and support each other in the ways we go about it!

Unknown said...

Dearest Marly,
I guess I have been missing what you are talking about and was so surprised to read this in your blog. As a sufferer of this disgusting disorder for over 28 years I just cannot imagine this type of unproductive behavior from true sufferers.
I am so sorry to hear that you have been so bad. In our little notes you need to share this informtion. I hope you are leveling off and never, ever think of this work as a waste.
I certainly can understand how you feel, but now that you got over that just remember we love you and care what happens to you.
Sheila and Bruce DeRuzza

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much Marly for all you do. There clearly is alot of anger in the community. At the same time many are so desperate for help and have different ways of expressing this.I hope from here on out we all can direct our energy in a positive fashion. Your a warrior for all of us and your efforts are so important.
Mike Dessin

The Pained Ink Slayer said...

Thank you for all you do Marly. I feel blessed that our paths have crossed and never doubt that your voice reaches many that you most likely will never know.

Advocacy takes our beloved energy and aggravates our pain, but it is also a diversion from the side effects of these illnesses.

Those who use anger to degrade others rather than as a motivator to effect change, never understand the empowerment, fulfillment and committment too advocacy.

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
--Isaac Newton

Thank you for being my giant.

Harmony and Hope, Celeste

sharon stapleton said...

And what is the problem with mentioning Sharon Stapleton twice in your blog? My big mouth threw you off, didn't it?

We need to really give Tina Tidmore huge kudos for the massive effort she has put forward for months now. I don't know how she has done all that she has. So, mention TINA TIDMORE four times - what would we do without Tina? No MCWPA I fear. Hugs Marly - Sharon Stapleton.

Sharon Stapleton said...

And what is the problem with mentioning Sharon Stapleton twice in your blog? My big mouth threw you off, didn't it?

We need to really give Tina Tidmore huge kudos for the massive effort she has put forward for months now. I don't know how she has done all that she has. So, mention TINA TIDMORE four times - what would we do without Tina? No MCWPA I fear. Hugs Marly - Sharon Stapleton.