shazdancer

Son Jake and I, on our Walk Against Lyme Disease today... Over the stream Through the woods The view from the top of Mt. Douglas, Maine Happy Easter, Shaz

Bramble, I completely agree. We were taught to do this. We were taught it was important to do this. We were taught to be EAGER to do this.We don't have to confront anyone. It's pointless anyway -- as if that would make anyone go, "Gee, you're right, how silly of me." Regards, Shaz

Yes, he still needs money. :( Thanks so much for your help and concern. It is neat to be able to do this walkathon, as a year ago, I wasn't sure I'd be able to be this active ever again. Then 3 weeks ago, a car flew through a stop sign and destroyed my car with me in it. I was a bit banged up, but still walkin.' I'm walking for those who are too sick to walk, and for the doctor who gave my son back to me. Regards, Shaz

Y-y-you mean, you EAT them??? :o :o :unsure: :o :o Glad you enjoyed, Shaz

Dear Suda, You said, "What I struggle with daily is the war zone in my home." It seems to me that verbal digs and arguments accumulate when each side feels there is a personal stake in their point of view. But the bottom line is, a person can live an ethical and kind life and not profess to believe in PFAL, or even Christianity. Likewise, plenty of people have incorporated what they learned from TWI into a loving lifestyle. As for me, I HOPE that the Bible is true. I have no proof. Yeah, yeah, "SIT is proof in the senses realm of the internal reality, etc." but if a person believes SIT as practiced by TWI is only some kind of psychological phenomenon, then it isn't proof either. Yet I hope that there is eternal life, and ultimate justice. I have come to feel that, in this life, it is not so much what I believe or what has happened to me that is important, but rather how I respond to my beliefs and experiences. After all, there is only one now, and the hereafter will have to take care of itself. I no longer think that "the Word is at stake," love is. Does your belief in following Christ make you a better person? Does Sudo's belief that TWI taught a bunch of malarky make him a better person? (Not trying to trivialize either of you, just trying to abbreviate.) Can you both respect in each other that desire to want to be better? Does that empathy keep the love going? Both you and Sudo come across on these boards as good and decent people. I hope you can both use what you've learned to respect each other, and grow together in love even as you learn that you don't have to be joined at the hip. "Likeminded" in the importance of your relationship, not necessarily in every point of doctrine. Thanks for letting me think about where my head is at this point in my life's walk, Shaz

So if I don't profess to be a Christian, can I use the word [you-know]? Just a rude feller of the baser sort, Shaz

Meantime, this is what I have been up to... Press Release, 4/14/06 MOTHER AND SON WALK FOR LYME DOC [shazdancer] and her son, both from [Maine], are participating in a country-wide walk for Lyme disease during the month of April. The grassroots effort has been organized by Gumbo Ya-ya, the online message and support community for fans of Rebecca Wells, the author of “The Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood” and its sequels. Wells suffers from a severe case of Lyme disease, so the cause is dear to the hearts of her readers, who have followed her treatment progress on the board. Chronic Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Patients may be misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, or depression. Doctors who are experts in the disease are often few and far between. Patients have trouble finding doctors willing to treat until their symptoms resolve, as many doctors believe they should not treat beyond a standard number of days. “The bacteria can travel to almost any place in the body and cause havoc,” said [shaz]. “Lyme disease is so much more than flu-like symptoms and a swollen knee. And it is hard for people who are sick with fatigue, pain, and cognitive problems to navigate their own healthcare.” At the end of the month the walkers – some from as far apart as Virginia, Louisiana, and England – will tally their miles, and the losing team will make a donation to a Lyme disease cause, such as LymeAid4Kids, a fund that assists needy children in getting adequate testing and treatment. In addition, [shaz] is gathering pledges to make a donation to the Dr. Charles Ray Jones Defense Fund. Dr. Jones, the foremost pediatric Lyme specialist in the country, is facing the medical board in Connecticut because he prescribed antibiotics for two children over the phone. Said [shaz], “It is sad that in an age of telemedicine, this doctor -- who has chosen to spend his retirement years helping children devastated by Lyme disease – should have to justify prescribing antibiotics which are prescribed routinely for acne and other ailments.” Anyone interested in pledging for the walkathon can contact [shaz] at [PM me]. Regards, Shaz

Hi, everyone! I wanted to let you know what has happened so far with the pediatric Lyme disease specialist, who is charged with prescribing antibiotics over the phone for 2 children without first seeing them in his office. The charge was brought by the children's father as part of a custody dispute with the children's mother. The doctor is my son's Lyme specialist, and I wouldn't be supporting him if I hadn't asked him directly what the story was. At my urging, a few of you contributed to his defense fund, and I wanted to update you. I can't discuss everything about the case, because it is still ongoing, but I'll tell you a little about what happened at the first hearing. His attorney argued that the standard of proof should be "clear and convincing evidence," one step higher than "substantial evidence," which is customarily used in such cases. That motion was struck down -- no big surprise, but sad to say that doctors can lose their licenses over a much lower standard of proof than that used in a court of law ("beyond a reasonable doubt" is even higher than "clear and convincing"). Bringing it up now makes it possible for the attorney to appeal the decision if it turns out to be against the doctor. Despite saying that the hearings were not about differences in diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, the accusatory (prosecuting) attorney spent a LOT of time grilling the doctor on his diagnostic methods, so much so that a member of the medical board told the attorney to stop it! It was brought out in testimony that the charges were brought by an ex-husband with a grudge, who has gone after several doctors that his ex-wife has brought the children to, filing charges with medical boards in other states as well. The doctor testified that the ex told him over the phone, "I can wine, dine, and buy anything I want." Except the respect of his kids, apparently. The doctor disclosed that he has treated over 8,500 children with Lyme disease to date. He appeared to be a slightly eccentric, slightly deaf old man, that is, until he started discussing the particulars of the disease. Reciting facts about the dozen or more reactive bands on a Lyme blood test, and what they all mean, and clearly doing it with no notes in front of him, showed him as the expert he truly is. The medical board noticed it, too, because when the accusatory side tried to put forward a "pediatric Lyme expert," the responding (defense) attorney protested that the man was not an expert on Lyme. After a brief discussion about his credentials, a member of the medical board said to that doctor, "You and I are about the same age. We have probably seen about 30-40 Lyme patients in our practices, but I doubt that either you or I could interpret a Western Blot test the way HE can." The doctor was allowed to testify as a "pediatric expert" only. At this point in the hearings -- when the accusatory side is still in the middle of putting on its case -- it is amazing that things are doing so well. The next expert witness, though, does qualify as a pediatric Lyme expert, who helped write the guidelines that the short-term antibiotics docs use, and should be a much harder nut to crack. The next hearing is in May. Thanks for your prayers, good wishes, and support! Shaz

As a person who has fought on behalf of my child pro se against the ex's lawyer and won, I have a couple of questions just to clarify your situation: 1.) You lost custody, and part of the argument against you was that you were involved in TWI at the time? 2.) Are you still in? 3.) Do you have visitation? 4.) What other facets were brought out in the evaluation? I just want to understand it better before I can speak to specifics. You can PM me if you'd prefer to do this off the board. Family court is a horrible place to be, but you have to be absolutely prepared, because a child's life is at stake. Regards, Shazdancer

Okay, you gotta see this site, but not for the squeamish... Peeps Surgery Happy Easter, Shaz

Blue orb in my hand Divulges its candy cache ...another egg found.

WTH, I doubt that many of these people, who still have personal and professional lives, would appreciate their name here coming up on a Google search. If you asterisk the vowels in their names, they retain their online anonymity, but those of us who know them can still pick them out. That said, I am giggling my tushy off at who supposedly wrote "standing firm and erect at the bema." Gl*r** O. had legitimate credentials as a NYC actress, and El*n* W., of course, was VPW's biographer, and had a career as a corporate biographer. If they are responsible for those words, it is an indication of how far we were out of the loop of common sense. Regards, Shaz

Ditto, Pirate! It's the Samoas. Dontcha just love how they say the serving size is like, 2 cookies?

Say you "believed God" for something. You knew it was available, knew how to receive it, knew what you'd do with it after you got it, had your needs and wants parallel (to the Word), your ability equalled your willingness, AND you were clear and concerned about it. But you still didn't get it. Your experiences tell you that "The Law of Believing" doesn't work. But Wierwille taught you that your experiences are deceiving. So you go on following The Way, blaming yourself for being "off" somehow. Perhaps Wierwilles "experiences are deceiving" teaching was a preemptive strike. Regards, Shaz

David, I didn't know you were a lawyer! ;)Shaz

Aw, bummers, hun! What happened to you? So glad to hear you are all better. The hospital is a lousy place to be sick or injured, unless you're so sick or injured you can't be sick or injured anyplace else! Your hubby better be 'special nice to you... ;0 Shaz

Hi Belle, Heck, I never even scrolled down that far before, didn't know there was a calendar in this new format. Aw, now I'M embarrassed :D ! Belle, chef, and David, thanks so much for your donations! You should now go around for the rest of this weekend with one hand making the Presidential wave, the other patting yourself on the back! Seriously, I am very touched that you would do this. Frankly, I don't just want my son's doc to win his case -- I want the medical board to feel ashamed for even bringing it up! Do I think that will happen? Nah, but it's a great fantasy. Winning will be enough. I just got back from the ER, sent by my PCP's office to x-ray a couple of things. It turns out that nothing's busted, but I have a few things that are gonna take a little time to get better. Give me ibuprophen... Dear moony, Omigoodness, yes, you know what it is like! Were you able to get a decent diagnosis right away? I would liken the fatigue, pain, and brain confusion to what it's like to be, er, hit by a car! And I am hoping that this accident doesn't trigger another relapse. Deep cleansing breaths, Shazzie... I have spoken to many people who have been on a PICC or central line for IV antibiotics. Did you feel your health turn around suddenly, or gradually? I hope you are doing well now. I am currently maintaining a pretty good level of health, and just take a few vitamins and supplements to support that. It also doesn't hurt that I'm back into decent shape (or I was, until yesterday :blink: ). If I bounce back from this accident like "regular people," I will be very pleased. Hey chef, I'm actually going to be up your way for a gym meet tomorrow (at the community center), but I'll be working all day and won't be in much of a mood to socialize. (All I can say is, my kids better do well!) But I'd love to come up some time on a Saturday and check out the downtown, which looks pretty cool. I'm always there for Sunday meets, and never get the chance to play tourist. I will let you all know how the hearings are going. Again, thanks you guys, from my heart. Take care, Shaz

Hi, Greasespotters! Well, this year you missed my birthday. It was last week -- March 8th. My mom sent me a shirt set, my daughters sent me a Vera Bradley purse (they know I like 'em but won't buy one for myself), and my Lyme-brained son (the last kid still at home) didn't even remember. So Happy Birthday to me.... Yesterday, St. Patrick's Day, I was on my way to one of my afternoon jobs teaching gymnastics, and a car flew through a stop sign and crashed into my car (I did not have a stop sign). The first new car I ever bought, an '04 Toyota Corolla, is probably totalled (the frame was bent, and most of the front right engine side is gone). I am very stiff, have some bruises, and probably a sprained left hand (I am left-handed), but am very glad that nothing worse happened to me. I will need a rental car to get to work today, but it will be a challenge to teach ballet to a bunch of 9-11 year-olds. Thank God they are a great group of kids! Happy St. Patty's Day... I'll have to check the police report, and see if that driver (a woman) was drinking. So don'tcha feel bad for me? I know a way you can make me feel better.... :) My son's Lyme doctor is facing charges by the CT state medical board, for treating two out-of-state patients with antibiotics before seeing them in his office. The complaint was brought by the children's father as part of a custody battle. The doctor is being charged with violation of the usual and customary standard of medical care . The first hearing will be this Thursday, March 23. The board had asked for the 72-year-old doctor to retire and surrender his medical license, but he prefers to fight the charges. This guy is one of the sweetest men you will ever meet. Hey, many of us got into TWI because we wanted to do good. Well, this guy is doing it. He is spending his retirement years treating these very sick children, as he has done for over 30 years. He stays in a small apartment above his office in New Haven. He never turns a patient away due to lack of funds. Many of the children and their parents have a deep affection for the doctor, and their photos and letters line his office walls. They threw a birthday bash for him at the local zoo on his 70th birthday. Many of these children were seriously ill -- some in wheelchairs, many unable to attend school -- and many were mis-diagnosed and undertreated before coming to see him. He gained my son's trust when my son was trusting no one. He brought him back from a psychiatric nightmare. I spoke to the doctor personally about his case. I would not be advocating on his behalf if I didn't know the facts, some of which I cannot divulge here, as they will come up in his defense. This case goes to the heart of the problems with Lyme disease treatment, i.e. short-term v long-term antibiotic treatment. (The doctor was having the out of state children begin a long course of treatment before he could see them in person, because he has a months-long waiting list.) Lyme disease is the largest vector-borne disease in the US. There are currently 2 separate standards of care, both published in peer-review medical journals: one advocating a short course of antibiotics, and the other advocating treatment until cessation of symptoms. Since there are two protocols, it remains the right of the patient to decide which one is in his/her best interest. Some celebrities who have gone the route of long-term antibiotics have included author Amy Tan, singer Darryl Hall, and FL football player Wayne Sexton. Now, about assuaging YOUR guilt... Could you please make a donation (any amount) to Dr. Jones' legal defense fund? He has retained a top-rate lawyer who knows this board and has won before it in the past, but he is expensive. A website for his defense fund has been set up HERE . They even take PayPal, to make donating easier. Please guys, the only time I have ever asked a favor of this group was 5 years ago, when a lawyer/poster helped me with the wording of my divorce decree. I am asking now, on behalf of my son, and on behalf of Lyme patients young and old everywhere, who will be affected if Lyme doctors become too afraid to treat. Thank you for reading this whole long post. I will be happy to answer any other questions, either on or off the board. Regards, Shaz

This from ex10: In other words, instead of the Body of Christ, with all its many facets, it was the Way Tree. Regards, Shaz

Hi, everybody! Here's an excerpt from skyrider's post on the "proud to be Way Corps" thread: Oh my goodness, I remember those! But my experience differs from yours, sky. I DID know some people who loved those things, my Corps Twig coordinators. One time, the husband was teaching our Twig, and he said, "Just change those words to read..." and he waited for me to get out my pen and write that in my Bible. Now, I NEVER crossed out the KJV words in my Bible, and my margin notes were even color-coded for figures of speech/orientalisms (red), Greek/Hebrew/Aramaic (blue), explanations (black), and literals according to usage (green). So no way was I gonna just rewrite Holy Writ on this guy's say so. I always looked this stuff up for myself. (Anal, ain't I?) I asked him where he got his rewrite from (I can't recall the verse, but the rewrite seemed pretty far out). He said, "It's a literal according to usage," and seemed pretty perturbed that I didn't just rewrite my Bible right then and there. I assured him I would "check it out later." Do you think those words ever made it into my Ravell Wide Margin? Nah! :P What did you think of Wierwille's "literals according to usage?" Regards, Shaz

Good point, Kev. If it IS on the resumé, and an interviewer asked about it, it could look kinda cagey to not say the name of the organization. The trick would be to be able to say it without sounding even MORE cagey. I would practice how I would say that before I ever got in front of a potential employer! Regards, Shaz

This was classic Wierwille. The trick was, don't ever upstage Dr. Ego. Anything that took the focus away from him and his "ministry" was a devil spirit.

I never put TWI or Corps training on my resumé. Even though a couple of elective courses were from Rome City, my degree is from NYU, as was almost all of my coursework. And I worked consistently in my field since my high school years, so there was never a need to fill any gaps caused by TWI training. There is a husband-wife chiropractic team that sells herbal "cures" for Lyme disease over the Internet. I say "cures" in quotes, because although they may have found ways to alleviate symptoms or support the immune system, there currently is no way to test or verify that a cure has actually taken place. Their book on healing Lyme tells people to take their (overpriced) supplements and follow their brand of Christianity. Their bios can be found HERE . Click on "Info/Biographies." It's obvious to any of us that have been there that they are talking about TWI, yet they carefully avoid saying The Way and Wierwille.Regards, Shaz

Sorry, my last post wasn't strong enough. Mo has explained her religion on this forum many times, usually in response to posts like yours, allan. I think that is a LOOOONG way from "promoting her cult." Your disrespect and intolerance and that cheap shot tell me that you didn't learn anything important from your experience in a cult. In my opinion. Shaz

Eww, the premise for this show is gross. The character has a blog where she complains that she can't "satisfy" her husband? And she hopes that the other wives are just as bad in bed??? I am not a LDS, I don't believe in the Mormon religion, but this show is NOT about Mormonism, it is about a cult that was derived from some of the tenets of the Mormon church. The groups on the Co/AZ border never had the approval of the LDS church. allan, when you were in TWI, would you have wanted a TV show depicting every off-the-wall aspect as if it was accepted, and call it TWI? And yet, in TWI, a lot of the off-the-wall stuff DID come right from leadership. In this show, they flaunt practices that do NOT belong to the church today. Sheesh, you'd think with our backgrounds we could understand this stuff by now. Shaz