Springdale Presbyterian commissions Sandy's "mission trip"
June 7, 2009
Sandy had her "minute for mission" written for today and ready to go But she didn't have to use it, just yet.
At services today, Associate Pastor Jean Davidson and Interim Pastor Carl Horton commissioned Sandy and blessed her trip. "Today we pray for Sandy as she is sent on a journey to bring awareness and healing," they said. "Uphold her as she walks, speaks and seeks to do your will."
Sandy said Carl's introduction covered most of the points she was going to make in her intended speech. Here's the text of her talk:
It was pretty easy for me to stride up here this morning. And other than nerves, speaking isn’t difficult either.
For my Mom and 20,000 other Americans these basic tasks are very difficult, if not impossible. My mother has progressive supranuclear palsy. This fatal brain disease robs a person of their walking and talking.
Vision is impaired because eye muscles can’t move up and down or back and forth. And eating is impaired because swallowing is slow and uncoordinated. All the while the person is aware of what is happening. This disease has no cause, treatment or cure.
When people ask what is wrong with Mom, I tell them. Invariably the response is, “What is that? I’ve never heard of it.”
When those folks include many in the health care profession, increasing awareness is imperative.
As a loved one suffers through this disease, you want to do something, anything. My thoughts were to spread information about this disease by walking from my house to my mother’s. Thank goodness she lives in New Jersey not California!
So as this journey for me begins today, here at home, I tell all who will listen about this disease and give thanks to the support and prayers you have provided. Many ask how I can do this. When you feel God move you – how can I not. With His guidance and strength I will be at mothers July 25 step by step.
Thank you.
Sandy said the service was moving. "I couldn't have said a word if they asked me to," she said on her Facebook site.
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