Dr. Bernie Siegel to Address Post Polio Group

3/1/2015 12:00:00 AM

Dr. Bernie A. Siegel will address The Polio Outreach of Connecticut on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at 2 PM, at Brooker Lecture Hall, Gaylord Farm Road, Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford. Light refreshments will be served.  Admission to hear Dr. Siegel is free and open to the public, however advance registration is necessary. To reserve a seat, contact program chair, Rita Sykora, via email at junip@optimum.net or by phone at 203.878.3221.

Attendees are asked to draw a self-portrait using crayons or colored pencils and bring this with them.

Dr. Siegel, or Bernie as he prefers to be called, is a sought-after speaker and media presence, is the author of many books including the blockbuster Love, Medicine, and Miracles; Peace, Love, and Healing; and 365 Prescriptions for the Soul.

Bernie first wrote about miracles when he was a practicing surgeon and pioneered Exceptional Cancer Patients, a groundbreaking synthesis of group, individual, dream, and art therapy that provided patients with a “carefrontation.” His safe and loving approach facilitated patients’ awareness of their own physical, spiritual, and psychological healing potential.

Compiled during his more than thirty years of practice, speaking, and teaching, the stories here are riveting, warm, and belief-expanding. Their subjects include a girl whose baby brother helped her overcome anorexia, a woman whose cancer helped her heal by teaching her to stand up for herself, and even a family who were saved from a burning house by bats. Without diminishing the reality of pain and hardship, they show real people turning crisis into blessing by responding to adversity in ways that empower and heal. Their stories offer readers the same opportunity.

Dr. Siegel’s books have sold more than 1.5 million copies. In his latest book entitled A BOOK OF MIRACLES—Inspiring True Stories of Healing, Gratitude, and Love, Bernie is described in the Foreword written by Deepak Chopra who tells us “Bernie Siegel began his writing career twenty-five years ago, and from the outset he didn’t shy away from miracles. The title of his first book—LOVE, MEDICINE & MIRACLES (1986)—flaunted his disagreement with mainstream medicine. An MD who advised more love as a path to healing would have been in enough trouble. Opening the possibility of miracles was grounds for dismissal. In his new book, Bernie reaffirms his original beliefs, and with a lifetime’s wisdom and experience, he trusts in miracles more than ever.”

The Polio Outreach of Connecticut is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) support group serving over 250 of Connecticut's polio survivors and their family and friends. The support group encourages self-help through group participation and positive action. Meetings are held in various towns across the state.

The Polio Outreach of Connecticut

Imagine living an active life for decades and then, rather suddenly in mid-life, experiencing new weakness, pain, breathing and swallowing difficulties, cold intolerance, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, muscle fatigue, and "central" fatigue.

These symptoms occur for thousands of people 2-4 decades after they contracted polio in childhood.  The diagnosis for this series of symptoms is Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS).  Since there is no cure for PPS, polio survivors need support and information in order to cope.

Support Group

The Polio Outreach of Connecticut provides this support to over 200 statewide polio survivors, encouraging a positive outlook while making needed lifestyle adjustments.

This non-profit 501(c)(3) support group is open to all polio survivors and their friends.  Meetings are held from April to December in various accessible venues throughout the state.  Guest speakers address topics such as nutrition, exercise, wheelchairs and scooters, home modifications, bracing, orthotics, and psychological adjustment.

It is very difficult to grow up with the aftermath of polio.  Many struggled to reach a point of recovery when braces and crutches could be discarded.  This childhood triumph is what makes it emotionally difficult to have to return to adaptive equipment later in life.

Sharing and Caring

Linda Wheeler Donahue, president of the group and retired college professor, is a polio survivor and power wheelchair user.  A motivational speaker, she writes extensively on the long-term psychological and emotional impact of living with a major disability. 

Donahue says, “Our ‘sharing and caring’ meetings are often the most popular and best attended.”  If you or someone you know had polio, The Polio Outreach of Connecticut is eager to welcome them with support and information.  There is no charge to attend meetings.

For more information, contact Linda Wheeler Donahue by mail at Polio Outreach, 75 Tallwood Road, Southbury, CT 06488; or via e-mail at LinOnnLine@aol.com.  You can reach the group calling Secretary Irma Heilbron at 203.239.7219 or by email at iheilbron@hushmail.com.

 



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