Here are a Few of Our Past Issues:

IDA Launches New Social Network February 2008

IDA Attends MS Seminar December 2006

Recap of Seminars May 2006

Seminars at The Parker Adventist Hospital March 2006

2005 End of the Year News December 2005

Woman Receives Award for Helping People Around the World! September 2005

How to Help People Living with Chronic Conditions, Quoted in Medical Book! January 2005

A Few Small Words Become a Great Big Voice! December 2004

The Disabilities are Invisible, the Outreach Isn't! November 2004

Woman's Story Helps Others Living with Chronic Illness and Pain! August 2004

 

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate February 2008 IDA Launches New Social Network My Invisible Disabilities Community   For over 8 years now, IDA has sponsored a support group for people living with chronic illness, pain, injury and disabilities.   We are SO excited to announce that IDA has launched a brand new Social Network called, My Invisible Disabilities Community!    We can't wait for you to see this place! In the network, each member gets their own page, they can post on the forum, meet new friends and join groups!   This community is new, but growing fast!   See below for the Terms of Use and link to join!   Wayne Speaks to Local Commission Denver Commission for People with Disabilities   IDA Founder and President, Wayne Connell, was invited to speak to the Denver Commission for People with Disabilities about Invisible Disabilities on January 8, 2008. Wayne was excited to be a part of this informative meeting!     IDA Appears in the Media Read About IDA in the News and in Publications   CBS News ran an Investigative Report on Social Security January 14th & 15th. They listed IDA in their Disabilities Resource List on the CBS News Website! IDA also recently appeared in Social Work Today magazine and Diversity, Inc. magazine! In addition, we are excited that IDA has been added to the Resource List for DisabilityInfo.gov!   How Can I Be a Part of IDA? Help Us Spread the Word   There are many ways you can help IDA continue to reach out to people living with chronic illness and pain, as well as their loved ones! It is as easy as 1-2-3!   1) You can send a tax-deductible donation monthly or send an individual gift. We have many expenses including office equipment, website expenses, printing, shipping and health fairs. If finances are tight for you, please know that even a small gift would be greatly appreciated.   2) You can also help IDA whenever you shop  or surf online!   • Order IDA's Books and Pamphlets. • Find great t-shirts, sweatshirts, bumper stickers and more at IDA Stuff.com. • Shop for books, CD's, DVD's household items and more at IDA's eStore. • Go to The iGive Mall for name brand and specialty shopping. • Search the net and raise money for IDA with GoodSearch.   3) Don't forget to tell your friends, family, support groups, forums and favorite health organizations about IDA!   Thank you for being a part of this outreach!   CLICK HERE to Forward This eNews-to-a-Friend!

 

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate 8 December 2006  The Invisible Disabilities Advocate Attended a National MS Society Meeting in November 2006 and Board Member, Dr. Jeffrey Boyd was a Guest Speaker.   Dr. Jeffrey Boyd and The Invisible Disabilities Advocate were invited by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to attend the Moving Forward Program on November 11th, 2006. Dr. Boyd was a guest speaker and IDA volunteers set up an information table, available to the attendees. They met some very wonderful people there, learning to cope with MS. This event took place in the beautiful Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Colorado. Thank you everyone for being a part of this vital outreach! Wayne Connell Founder and President The Invisible Disabilities Advocate www.MyIDA.org

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate 11 May 2006  The Invisible Disabilities Advocate and Dr. Jeffrey Boyd Presented 2 Seminars at the Parker Adventist Hospital in April 2006!   Wayne Connell, Dr. Boyd and Sherri Connell   Being Sick Well, a presentation given by Dr. Jeffrey Boyd, was based on his latest book, Being Sick Well -Joyful Living Despite Chronic Illness. Dr. Boyd addressed the main causes for chronic illness and used case histories, personal testimonies, and a variety of resources to illustrate not just how to cope, but how to live joyfully even in sickness. His gentleness and sense of humor made his message fun, inspirational and eye opening! Dr. Boyd is the Chairman of Behavioral Health at Waterbury Hospital in Connecticut and works with many patients living with chronic conditions.   But You LOOK Good! was a presentation given by Founder and President of  The Invisible Disabilities Advocate, Wayne Connell. This seminar was based on Wayne's booklet, But You LOOK Good! - A Guide to Understanding and Encouraging People Living with Chronic Illness and Pain.  His goal was to educate people about how extreme fatigue, pain, dizziness, cognitive impairments and other symptoms can be limiting, even though the person may not "look" sick or in pain. Wayne also addressed "what to say," "what not to say" and "how to help" someone living with a debilitating disorder. Wayne was passionate about this subject, yet lighthearted and enjoyable! In his presentation, he really "hit the nail on the head!"   Thank you, Parker Adventist Hospital for hosting these seminars!       Thank you everyone for being a part of this outreach! Wayne Connell Founder and President The Invisible Disabilities Advocate www.MyIDA.org    We need your help to reach out to all those living with chronic conditions! We do not receive royalties for any books or publications. Please consider making a donation today!   DONATIONS BY MAIL Make check payable to IDA and mail to: IDA P.O. Box 4067, Parker, CO 80134   DONATIONS BY CREDIT CARD VISA, MC, Bank Transfer, E-Check or PayPal CLICK HERE    Read All About Us Online now!

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate 14 March 2006    Join Us On April 28th or 29th at The Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker, Colorado!   Each Session Includes Both Presentations: But You LOOK Good! and Being Sick Well   Friday April 28th Morning Session: 9 a.m. - 11:45 Afternoon Session: 12:15 - 3:00   Saturday April 29th Morning Session: 9 a.m. - 11:45 Afternoon Session: 12:15 - 3:00   FREE Registration! Call 303.269.4001   IMPORTANT! If you plan to attend this session, please make sure you arrive perfume and cologne free.   Hear Wayne Connell, Dr. Boyd and Bill Honsberger on the Geno Geraci Show on KRKS 94.7 Out of Denver on Friday 4:00-6:00 PM    But You LOOK Good! Presented by   Wayne Connell, Founder and President of The Invisible Disabilities Advocate Wayne Connell is the Founder and President of The Invisible Disabilities Advocate, an organization serving those living with debilitating illness, pain and injury, as well as their loved ones. Wayne's inspiration to create this organization came from his wife, Sherri, who became disabled at the young age of 27. Sherri was a very active person all her life singing and dancing in musicals, riding her horse, lifting weights and loving to work. She obtained 2 Bachelor Degrees, but just as she was planning her Master's, she became very ill with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and Late-Chronic Lyme Disease. Suddenly, she went from "on the go" 24/7 to struggling just to get to a doctor's appointment or take a shower. Despite the seriousness of her illness, people often had difficulty understanding how she could "look good" to them, even though she was very sick. Unfortunately, because of these misconceptions, people jumped to the conclusion that she was just lazy, unmotivated or was not trying hard enough. Sadly, Wayne discovered that these assumptions were all too common for many others in her situation as well. Therefore, Wayne found it imperative to develop an organization to educate friends, family, coworkers, businesses and medical personnel, in order to bring lives together with compassion and understanding. Wayne holds a BA Degree in Liberal Arts and is Certified through Dale Carnegie's school for public speaking. He loves to speak to groups of all sorts, giving them the tools to be a true source of encouragement and understanding to their friend or family member living with a chronic condition. This seminar is based his booklet, But You LOOK Good! A Guide to Understanding and Encouraging People Living with Chronic Illness and Pain.  It's goal is to educate people about how extreme fatigue, pain, dizziness, cognitive impairments and other symptoms can be limiting, even though the person may not "look" sick or in pain. It also addresses "what to say," "what not to say" and "how to help" someone living with a debilitating disorder. Wayne is passionate about this subject, yet lighthearted and enjoyable! In his presentations, he really "hits the nail on the head!"

Being Sick Well Presented by Jeffrey Boyd, MD, M.P.H.   In his book, Being Sick Well, Dr. Boyd addresses four main causes for chronic illness and uses case histories, personal testimonies, and a variety of resources to illustrated not just how to cope, but how to live joyfully even in sickness. This will be the topic of this exciting seminar! More about Dr. Boyd: In 1987 he joined the Waterbury Hospital, one of the teaching hospitals of Yale, where he has been Chairman of Behavioral Health for more than a decade, and was also Chairman of Ethics for eight years. He has published sixty-two professional articles or chapters in books, on forty-two of which he was the first author, including an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. He has presented seventy-one papers to learned societies or scholarly organizations. Dr. Boyd has reviewed articles for the Science, New England Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Epidemiology, and a variety of leading psychiatric and theological research journals. He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Religion and Health. Dr. Boyd released his book in the Spring of 2005. Being Sick Well - Joyful Living Despite Chronic Illness.

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate 11 December 2005  Dear IDA Friends, It has been another great year for IDA! We have continued to reach out to thousands living with debilitating illness and pain around the world! See what people are saying about us! I had an article published in HopeKeepers Magazine and I was interviewed and quoted by Advance for Audiologists magazine. In addition, we were referenced in an article that appeared in the Kentucky Monthly magazine and featured in an article in the Douglas County News Press. Here are some of the biggest highlights of the year: Our story was featured in the new book by Dr. Jeffrey Boyd, Being Sick Well. I was a guest on the Geno Geraci show (KRKS 94.7 FM), with host Bill Honsberger in June and November. As many of you know, my wife Sherri won the 2005 Hal O’Leary Inspiration Award presented by the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in September! And, we opened a new online store, IDAstuff.com that sells t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, totes, cards, buttons and more! Proceeds go to IDA! Along with this exciting news, we also bring a heartfelt request. We would like to ask that you would please consider an end of the year donation for 2005 and/or monthly support for 2006. We need your help with our normal operating expenses, as well as increased costs in the past 2 years, due to filing of paperwork and legal expenses. By giving, you will be helping IDA continue to reach out to those who live with chronic illness and pain. Any amount per month would be greatly appreciated, no matter how small. If you have been blessed financially, consider a larger gift. Also, please consider having your business become an IDA Sponsor. Anyone can become an IDA Helper, Friend, Supporter, Silver Member, Gold Member, Platinum Member or Sponsor. Please see our Donations Page for more information on donating. Thank you everyone for your love and for being a part of this outreach! Wayne Connell Founder and President The Invisible Disabilities Advocate www.MyIDA.org    We need your help to reach out to all those living with chronic conditions! We do not receive royalties for any books or publications. Please consider making a donation today!   DONATIONS BY MAIL Make check payable to IDA and mail to: IDA P.O. Box 4067, Parker, CO 80134   DONATIONS BY CREDIT CARD VISA, MC, Bank Transfer, E-Check or PayPal CLICK HERE    Read All About Us Online now!   -To Unsubscribe, Reply With Unsubscribe-

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate 23 August 2005   Woman Receives Award for Helping Others with Disabilities Around the World! Hal O'Leary Awards Dinner Hosted by the Colorado Rockies on Coors Field On Thursday, September 15, 2005, The Colorado Rockies Baseball Club hosted the 2005 Hal O'Leary Awards. 6 local athletes and individuals were honored for making a significant difference in the lives of those in the disabled community. Hal O'Leary is the founder of The National Sports Center for the Disabled. The sold-out event included approximately 350 people on the infield playing surface at Coors Field. Sherri Connell was the recipient of the 2005 Hal O'Leary Inspiration Award for reaching out to others living with "invisible disabilities" -- people who show no outward signs of illness, but struggle daily with debilitating symptoms. Photo on right: Sherri and Keli McGregor, President of the Rockies. Sherri is honored to be a recipient of this award and ecstatic to have Invisible Disabilities recognized in the disability community. She feels this is a huge stride for all living with debilitating illness and pain! Hal O'Leary is the founder of the National Sports Center for the Disabled. In 1970, O'Leary was a salaried ski instructor at Winter Park when he volunteered to give a one-time ski lesson to 23 children with amputations. That ski lesson turned into the NSCD. Today, the center annually teaches 3,000 participants sports ranging from downhill skiing and snowshoeing to rafting, biking and horseback riding. O'Leary has been a leader and an inspiration to many, as he continues to have day-to-day involvement in the Center.  Named one of the Best 100 Things to Happen to Skiing by SKI Magazine, O'Leary coached the U.S. Disabled Olympic Team, was inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1970 and was awarded one of only six Professional Ski Instructors of America Lifetime Achievement Awards. Hal is also nationally recognized for pioneering the adopt-a-ski program at Winter Park Resort in Colorado. We are so excited about this award! Sincerely, Wayne Connell Founder and President The Invisible Disabilities Advocate www.MyIDA.org    We need your help to reach out to all those living with chronic conditions! We do not receive royalties for any books or publications. Please consider making a donation today!   DONATIONS BY MAIL Make check payable to IDA and mail to: IDA P.O. Box 4067, Parker, CO 80134   DONATIONS BY CREDIT CARD VISA, MC, Bank Transfer, E-Check or PayPal www.MyIDA.org/donations.htm    Read All About Us Online now!   -To Unsubscribe, Reply With Unsubscribe-

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate 17 January 2005   How to Help People Living with Chronic Conditions, Quoted in Medical Book I am so excited to announce that the newly released 500+ page book, Striking Back, has used our booklet, But You LOOK Good! as a resource and has quoted from it in their Helping People chapter! It is an informative guide for those living with Trigeminal Neuralgia, their loved ones and their doctors. STRIKING BACK! THE TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA AND FACE PAIN HANDBOOK.    Published by TNA in 2004 and authored by George Weigel and Kenneth F. Casey, M.D. It is written in layman's terms, describes all aspects of TN and facial pain, and provides information and resources for patients, family, and medical professionals. A must-have guide for every facial pain patient! Click Here for More Information About TN and This Book! Sincerely, Wayne Connell Founder and President The Invisible Disabilities Advocate www.MyIDA.org    IDA wants to reach out to all those living with chronic conditions! We need your help! Please consider making a donation today!   DONATIONS BY MAIL Make check payable to IDA and mail to: IDA P.O. Box 4067, Parker, CO 80134   DONATIONS BY CREDIT CARD VISA, MC, Bank Transfer, E-Check or PayPal www.MyIDA.org/donations.htm    Read our most recent newsletter online now!   -To Unsubscribe, Reply With Unsubscribe-

Founder and President:    Wayne Connell, BA   Vice President:    Carole Mitchell-Crouch   Board Members:    Alice Garrett, RN    Tom Groom     Paul Myhill, MBA   Advisory Board:    Stephen Barnes, MD    Marcus Brown, Ph.D    Carrie Carter, MD    Michael Erisman, MA    J.S. Geraghty, MD    Vernon Grounds, Ph.D    Robert A. Lees, Atty    Chris Miller, Ph.D     Read More About Our Board Members Here!   Read What People Are Saying About Us!   Help Us With Your Donation Today!   See Where IDA is Featured!   The Invisible Disabilities Advocate www.MyIDA.org   A Few Small Words Become A Great Big Voice!       In a world of quick-fixes, microwaves and fast food, there is hardly room in our schedules to be sick! Yet, an estimated 125 million Americans have some sort of chronic illness and 40 million are limited in their daily activity by it.   When Wayne first posted a few writings from Sherri's journal on the internet and called it, The Invisible Disabilities Advocate, we had no idea what was about to happen! Our plan was to use the site for friends and family to have a place to learn about her condition. Nevertheless, it now reaches the world!   This site took off right away, as word of mouth spread like lightening through computer modems through the internet. Many groups, foundations, hospitals and even corporations have used the site’s articles in training and support. In the beginning, we were excited to get 30 hits a month, but since 2004 we have been getting over 120,000!        To give readers something they could hand out to their friends and family, Wayne had 3 of the articles compiled into a booklet titled, “But You LOOK Good! A Guide to Understanding and Encouraging People Living With Chronic Illness and Pain.” Available at IDA's cost, this booklet helps loved ones with "what to say," "what not to say" and "how to help."    Those living with chronic illness have written to us time and time again that IDA was able to “put into words what I am going through!” Even more, we get e-mails from people telling us our site has saved their marriages, friendships and family relationships! It is time to get this booklet out on shelves where it can help even more families learn to cope with chronic conditions!   We are so excited about this outreach! This year, Wayne has transitioned IDA into a non-profit organization! He has such a passion for the hurting and feels called to be a full-time employee of IDA. Wayne wants to conduct seminars, conferences and workshops for hospitals, support groups, corporations and foundations. He has already held seminars where he works! We have only barely scraped the tip of the iceberg. Our vision is to reach out to the world with education and community services for this forgotten, lonely population! The time is NOW!   Visit our donations page at www.MyIDA.org/donations.htm  We Need Your Help! We are now taking tax-deductible donations to help us with the costs for IDA. We want to take this organization to another level to help millions who have not only lost their careers and health, but have lost spouses, children and friends due to lack of understanding! We are also looking for people willing to:   ▪ Host Sharing Nights - Informational Evenings   ▪ Spread the Word - Forward This Newsletter to Everyone You Know   Please consider an end of the year or monthly tax-deductible donation from your home and/or business. Any amount is appreciated! When You Make A Total Donation for the Year, You Become:   IDA Helpers $15.00+ IDA Friends $25.00+ IDA Supporters $75.00+ IDA Silver Members  $125.00+ IDA Gold Members $250.00+ IDA Platinum Members  $500.00+  IDA Sponsors  $900.00+         ▪ Be an IDA Sponsor! Give $75.00 or more a month through your business and we will place your logo on www.MyIDA.org and link it to your site!    You Can Make Your Donation By Mail Make check payable to IDA and mail to: IDA P.O. Box 4067, Parker, CO 80134   Or Visit:  www.MyIDA.org/donations.htm  Let’s Reach The World Together! Thank you for your support!