Healthy Living Expo 2008:

How A Family’s Challenges Helps Others

by Staci Witten, First United Methodist Church Plano Member

In life, you may experience a ‘defining moment’ or a ‘life changing event’ where you launch a new beginning, relying on your faith to lead you. While this event creates many challenges, it leads to enormous gratitude. Our family experienced a life changing event and today our hearts are full of appreciation. We are continually motivated to finds ways to give back. As an example, our family assists in the coordinating and leading of the First United Methodist Church Plano Health Ministry’s Healthy Living Expo. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, February 2, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at FUMC Plano.

Our defining moment was August 23, 2002 when my husband, Roy, received a kidney and pancreas transplant. During his pre-teen years, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. By the time he reached his early 30’s, his kidneys were showing signs of failure. In 2001, he was diagnosed with renal failure, was added to the kidney/pancreas transplant list, and started peritoneal dialysis. In addition to being a husband and father, he was a chief operating officer of a commercial real estate company. His quality of life was limited and revolved around making it through the work day and completing 12 hours of dialysis at night. Our daughter, Christine, at age 7, was familiar seeing her dad’s insulin pump, medications, and syringes. But now, she was seeing her dad hook up to machine every night. Looking back, we tried to spend quality family time together and make the best of the situation. However, he was unable to do the many activities healthy parents take for granted such as attending many of her school parties, plays, and other events. After 11 months, we had the defining moment. At age 41, Roy received the call that changed his life, as well as our family’s. A matching kidney and pancreas donor was available.

Roy’s fate was in God’s hands but we had many struggles ahead. He had many complications and set backs, but each hospital stay and experience led to another witnessing of faith. Today, we are grateful for the experience, the deceased donor and his family, the many doctors and medical staff involved, our family and friends, and our church. Throughout the first 3 years of Roy’s recovery, the community reached out to our family in a way that we could never imagine. Our hearts were full of gratitude.

In 2003, we wanted to utilize our experience and help others. We founded a homecare agency that provided personal and companion care services to those who needed assistance. With a staff of approximately 35 caregivers, we assisted many people in their homes, hospitals, skilled living, and assisted living. We served as advocates for our clients’ and their families.

After opening our business’s doors, along with us, several members of First United Methodist Church of Plano were led to form a Health Ministry. The basis of the ministry was to provide education and support concerning spiritual, physical and emotional health and wellness to the community. Some of the other founding members who are involved in the ministry today are Tiffany Seitz, Connie Smith, and Mary Louise Junkins. The ministry is led by Rev. Alice Coder. Since 2003, the First UMC Plano Health Ministry has provided wellness seminars, flu shots, a durable medical equipment donation and lending program, and health fairs.

The health fairs are an opportunity for us to volunteer as a family. Since 2005 we have been involved in leading and coordinating the annual community health fair. With the contribution of many volunteers, the events are an opportunity to educate about health and wellness and offer free screenings. Roy, Christine and I want to help people build awareness about their health and learn preventative measures. If we have helped one person take action to prevent diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, then we have succeeded. The first health fair in 2004, had approximately 25 exhibitors. This year, our community health and wellness event participation expects to more double. Plano Presbyterian Hospital, Children’s Medical Center, and many other health providers will be providing screenings and wellness information. We have gone from a health fair to a Community Healthy Living Expo!

Our family calls our defining moment a ‘God thing.’ It was a beginning that opened doors for us to help other people. Although our family went through many struggles, we are thankful for the experiences and look forward to continuing to give back.

On February 2nd, the FUMC Health Ministry will offer health and wellness screenings at the 2008 Healthy Living Expo. First United Methodist Church Plano is located at 3160 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074. For more information, call 972-423-4506 or visit www.firstmethodistplano.org.