It's Been Too Long

I'm so sorry to all my readers for not posting sooner. I suppose I also took a "holiday" from my blogging, but there's no excuse. I need to give everyone an update on what is going on with my life!

I found a great new program that is located in Olathe, Kansas! So near to us, and I didn't even know about it! The program is called Renew- visit the website at http://www.renewkc.com/. Basically, it is an out patient eating disorders unit that specializes in nutrition, counseling, and one-on-one therapy. This would be the place to start a music therapy program!

Can you tell I'm uber excited? I sent an email and left a voice message to the Executive Director last Tuesday, but no word yet. Nathan and I have been praying about this opportunity, but I don't want to get my hopes up. With this whole economy extravaganza, many businesses are cutting back by issuing hiring freezes. God has this in his control.

In two weeks, I am speaking again at VITA (eating disorder unit at Research Med). Please pray that God will use me. I usually speak every two months.

Love you all and I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. Mom and I are baking Christmas cookies this weekend. Check out the recipes I'm using at http://www.foodtv.com/. Chocolate Secret Surprise Cookies (Paula's Cookie Swap) and Gingerbread Cookies (12 Days of Cookies).

Meeting New People

I had a super exciting weekend! Thanks to my friend, Jessie, she introduced me to this awesome, God-loving girl, Laura. She shares the same passion as I do with helping those who struggle with an eating disorder. We met for coffee and had an awesome conversation. She has a wonderful testimony--God has brought her a long way.

It's so uplifting and encouraging to meet people who share the same passions as me. I encourage everyone who reads this blog to pray for someone who shares the same desires as you do. Whether it be business, art, yoga, exercise, sewing, running...whatever, find someone to share your passions with.

I remember my friend, Megan, in high school. We were both in band together. Can you guess what we talked about all the time? Band! What geeks we were, but we were so excited to talk about trombone performance pieces, accessories, mutes, we would even get together and play etude duos. Yes, it's geeky but that motivated me to become a better musician and I had a great friend.

This was not what I thought this blog would be about, but I hope it's an encouragement to you all. Meet new people and share your passions. Have a wonderful and God-filled day!

Biomedical Foundations of Music as Therapy

The title might sound like a boring topic for a music therapy conference. In fact, Biomedical Foundations of Music as Therapy is a textbook we had to read for one of our MT classes. The book discusses the relations between the brain and how it relates with music. Fascinating material about how music is deciphered on one part of the brain while communication is utilized on the other. When music is used it connects both sides of the brain. Pretty cool, eh?

One section of the book is entitled Biomedical Determinants of Control Reversal Therapy. It explains how to utilize Control Reversal Therapy (CRT) for individuals with eating disorders. It dissects the brain of someone who is diagnosed with anorexia. Results have shown a loss in brain tissue and are connected with personality characteristics, such as, perfectionism, excessive worry, need for control, inflexibility, panic attacks, and internal dialogue.

Two things are going wrong here. One, is that because the lack of nutrition is causing brain atrophy, which can only result in a decrease in judgment, emotions, and overall feelings of pleasure (i.e. food). Two, the innate personality characteristics of the victim only further the process of allowing brain to wither away.

Think of it this way. The characteristics described above are usually in the people who have uncanny self-discipline (These are the people who wake up at the crack of dawn to run 6 miles or have their homework finished two weeks before it is due.). Now, let's say that an individual has this distorted concept that they have to eat less in order to be considered "perfect" by others. They will stop at nothing to accomplish this unrealistic goal. No matter what someone advises them to do, they will consider quitting the ultimate failure.

CRT is in place to change overall thought patterns. Anorexia and bulimia is a way of thinking. The individual has to choose to think differently. Can you imagine how difficult that could be? But it does happen...there is hope. For instance, catching the disease early helps the individual remember their prior thought patterns of "normal eating". Music can be used as a tool to help these individuals build and process new thought patterns.

I hope this gives you more insight on eating disorders. If you have any more questions or need clarification, please ask!

Memory Verses For Ruby

After last night's not-so-good news of the presidential election, I was feeling bummed. I asked God to show me a promise that I can hang on to and share with others. Well, he did just that.

One verse was shown to me by my wonderful husband. That is Romans 13:1

"For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

Is that not a powerful verse written so many years ago? You see, despite popular belief there have been other national leaders that were not highly favored by the population (and even still to this day). No matter what Barack Obama (and our Democratic Congress) has in store for us, it's all under God's plan. he knows exactly what is going on. We need to PRAY for our nation for God to continue to bless us (and that we don't do anything stupid, like break our alliance with Israel.).

Another verse that was shown to me today was while I was driving in my car from work this evening. As much as I love KLove radio station, the DJs can be really, really corny but nonetheless, they do preach Jesus with no end. One of them shared this verse in 1 Samuel 16:7

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart"

I had forgotten about this story until now. This fits perfect with a key verse for the Ruby Center. The "Lord looketh on the heart". Was David perfect? Absolutely not. He commited sins that if any leader were revealed that would be the end of his career. Just think, if any woman or man were to know this truth about God...how different their body image would be. No man can judge them rightfully on the outward appearance. It's their walk with God that is eternal.

Isn't the Lord amazing? I love these verses. We can find comfort and joy in His words, so know that God's will will be performed no matter the circumstances.

With Love,

Jen

Disability and Unemployment

Working at a facility that is state funded, I come across individuals that have no means of paying for their stay at an inpatient unit (let alone pay for their prescribed meds). Upon many assessments, I have asked patients if they will go back to a job or if they will try to find one after discharge. Up until this point (which has only been 2 months) I have yet to have someone is able to go back to work. Here are the excuses:

• I have a mental disability that inhibits me to maintain a job (i.e. schizophrenia, psychosis, drug induced mood disorders, borderline personality, etc.)
• If I get a job, then the government won't pay me unemployment, so I can't have a job. No job, get meds. Have job, buy meds yourself.
• Why should I get a job? My mom gets welfare and I am living with her, we are doing ok. There is no reason I need a job when we get paid by the government anyway.

Does this not make you angry? I understand excuse #1; there are people so ill that they will be unable to have a job even if they tried (i.e. responding to internal stimuli, having hallucinations that can impair judgement, etc.). However, excuses #2 and #3 make me so angry...not at the patients, but at the government!

I'll break it down for you. The government says "Hey, it looks like you can't work because your diagnosed with a mental disorder. We'll save you! We'll tax the middle-class and upper-class society in order for you to stay home all day and have as much benzos, anti-depressants, and hallucinagens as you need." Don't let me say, don't let me say it....ahh, pity...WE'RE GOING TO REDISTRIBUTE THE WEALTH. Everything is equal here.

Does this sound fair?!? Let me tell you, if there is anyone who has a heart to help these people, it's me. I want to work with them and help them make decisions to choose the right way in their recovery. But we can't allow the government to give them a crutch! They will fall down again and again knowing that they will never hit rock bottom. Are you as angry as I am? I hope so.

What can we do? VOTE! Do not raise taxes of any sort. Even if they make you believe "But it's for the children". That's a load a crap. Here's a way to help the children...Vote for education vouchers to be given to any citizen in order to either send their child to a better school, private school tuition payments, or home school financing. Freedom of choice. I think I remember reading that in the Constitution somewhere.

Comment if you will. Call me a conservative red neck, who holds onto her religion and guns. But remember, it's your money.

Jen

Ideas for Ruby

I was on my long run on Saturday: it was 10 miles, so I had plenty of time to think. My mind wondered off to what the Ruby Center will be like. Of course, my end goal is to have a private facility in the middle of the wilderness with hired nutritionists, doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, gym, kitchen, group rooms, residential rooms, and the cherry on top. However, I was reminded that I can't really come from nothing to this elaborate facility.

I thought about my sister and how she just got her yoga certification and wants to seek an education in wholistic nutrition. I thought of friends who want to be counselors and social workers and help women and men with eating disorders. Then it hit me.

I could get a small space in the area, but make it more like a gym than a doctors office. Members would sign up on a monthly fee to use our resources like yoga sessions, nutrition classes, group music therapy, individual therapy or social work sessions, individual nutrition planning, and the list could go on. We could even have gym machines and hire on a sports fitness associate or physical therapist to map out workout routines.

This would be less threatening than going to appointments and they wouldn't have to worry about insurance (but that could change); instead, they would pay the fee as if they were to pay for a gym membership (which most of them probably do anyway). I'm super excited, but I want to know if this is a good idea or not. There could many things I am not taking into consideration at this point.

Share with me your ideas. I want to know if this could have a chance.

Blessings,

Jen

Ideas for Ruby

I was on my long run on Saturday: it was 10 miles, so I had plenty of time to think. My mind wondered off to what the Ruby Center will be like. Of course, my end goal is to have a private facility in the middle of the wilderness with hired nutritionists, doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, gym, kitchen, group rooms, residential rooms, and the cherry on top. However, I was reminded that I can't really come from nothing to this elaborate facility.

I thought about my sister and how she just got her yoga certification and wants to seek an education in wholistic nutrition. I thought of friends who want to be counselors and social workers and help women and men with eating disorders. Then it hit me.

I could get a small space in the area, but make it more like a gym than a doctors office. Members would sign up on a monthly fee to use our resources like yoga sessions, nutrition classes, group music therapy, individual therapy or social work sessions, individual nutrition planning, and the list could go on. We could even have gym machines and hire on a sports fitness associate or physical therapist to map out workout routines.

This would be less threatening than going to appointments and they wouldn't have to worry about insurance (but that could change); instead, they would pay the fee as if they were to pay for a gym membership (which most of them probably do anyway). I'm super excited, but I want to know if this is a good idea or not. There could many things I am not taking into consideration at this point.

Share with me your ideas. I want to know if this could have a chance.

Blessings,

Jen

Trial and Growth

Yesterday, my supervisor and I went up to rehab like any other day. We usually do a few assessments and evals that consist of the person answering questions in a half-conscience state. From head injury, stroke, double stroke, malpractice surgery (yep, it happens!). Most patients often develop depression after having a major event listed above. Which is pretty likely because in a matter of hours what you could once do you can no longer do then relearn everything you once knew (does that make sense?).

This was not a normal assessment. The patient (without giving away too much info due to privacy) did not have many things going for her. She suffered from four strokes in a matter of a week. That sucks.

We arrive in her room and you could feel the power of the Holy Spirit residing there. She was in a joyful mood despite one side of her body being totally paralyzed. She lost her speech, but found out she was able to regain about 85% of it in a matter of a week. Her story was touching. Raising a family in a bad neighborhood, wanting to get better so she can provide for them and make sure they go to school.

During the entire interview, she was praising the Lord for providing her another chance; knowing that He will make her better than she was before the stroke. Her faith was huge and she couldn't help but share it with us.

I thought I had a sucky week with getting bad news after bad news. But, you know, in the long run, that bad news I received won't matter next week. It's nothing to get my panties tied up in a knot about. I'm not saying it's insignificant, what I am saying is that there is nothing to big that God can't go through with you. Isn't this how we learn? Trial then growth.

What this lady is going through is difficult, but she called out to Jesus to save her...and He comforted her with His promises. He can comfort all of us with His promises.

Jen

What's a Ruby Worth?

Proverbs 31:10 says "For an excellent wife who can find for her worth is far greater than rubies."