February 12, 2007

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Support Group
hosted by the Neuroscience Center at the Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.


The February meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 12th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (directions below).

Chaplain Ariail Gores, of the Presbyterian Pastoral Care Department, will lead a group discussion on The Meaning of Faith. You are invited to participate as much or as little as you are comfortable with.

Thought
Many times in childhood, we ask the questions: "What's this for?" and "What do I do with this?" As life progresses, either in times of trouble, or in times of plenty, again we might ask the questions: "Why?" and "What do I do with this now?" Perhaps faith is the simple understanding that life is a mystery, and living in the mystery is what life is all about.

Life is full of "what if's" and "why's." Faith helps us accept life on its own merit and believe that we are capable of handling whatever circumstances life tosses our way.

Purpose
What is the purpose of our February meeting? We would like to stimulate discussion regarding individual definitions of faith and how faith has helped group members cope with the changes brought about by the brain injury.

Group Exercise
Please spend a few minutes thinking about the definitions listed below and what the words mean to you.

Faith
When you have come to the edge
Of all the light you know
And are about to step off into
the dark of the unknown.

Faith
Is knowing one of two things will happen:
There will be something solid to stand on
OR
You will be taught to fly.

Above text courtesy of the National Stroke Association's Discovery Circles manual.

Spiritual care delivered through the Pastoral Care Department addresses concerns of the spirit: faith, hope, despair, meaning, purpose, life, death, guilt, forgiveness, fear and doubt. Pastoral care offers help for people trying to connect meaning with life circumstances that don't often make sense or seem fair. Members of the Pastoral Care departments have answered a call to offer hope for those in the middle of brokenness. Pastoral Care Department chaplains do not try to convert people. They are trained to help bring together the physical, emotional and spiritual components that are necessary for an individual to experience healing, health and hope.

Please send a reply email to Kimberly Aikman (kaikman1@sbcglobal.net) or call 214 289 0286 so we know to expect you.

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom A

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

8200 Walnut Hill Lane

Dallas, TX 75231

***The main entrance to the hospital was closed at the time of January's meeting, so be advised that entry is a bit complicated. When turning into the campus from Walnut Hill, the best route of entry may be the driveway prior to the light. The Folgeson Building is to the right when facing the main hospital entrance, and is next to the Margot Perot Center. Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Classroom A is to the left off the elevators.

Remember that parking is now free! Be sure to get your validation sticker at the start of the meeting.

Neither Lifelines: The Brain Injury Support Group nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.