MLWT Mission Statement:
Our mission is to inspire individuals who are living with all forms of lupus and lupus-related illnesses by being a strong resource of opportunities reflecting the potential and well-being of our Oregon and SW Washington communities.
Welcome!
It is important to believe in our own abilities when managing our lives with lupus. Although it is still incurable at this time, it is possible to create a great life and not just view it as a sentence to be served. Lupus is a part of who we are, but not the only part and it is vital that individuals are offered resources to help them “get beyond” lupus to see their potentials that await them.
As a means of supporting individuals to succeed in their wellness management, we designed this project to offer focused educational workshops, supportive resources and a social network made up of other local individuals who are also committed to designing their own self-care. By utilizing the abundance of information already present through the internet, written media, existing programs and the participants themselves, MLWT gathers this information and creates a learning satellite community for individuals to draw inspiration from.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, we are a ‘local’ network hub for individuals to rely on as they strengthen their support ties and create their lives on their terms. In the process, this project creates an on-going, action research format where the participants themselves will be instrumental in community education and health care reform by simply living well. The information, suggestions, questions and requests MLWT receives from you will help educate local social and medical service providers in working with you as you pursue your wellness goals.
We also offer information, discussion groups and presentations for the others in our lives such as family, friends, employers and co-workers so that they may gain a much clearer understanding of what they can do to provide us the support we need to be successful. Self-reliance is important and strengthening our networks, in turn, strengthens us and our healing capacities.
We believe that the best way to educate others about living with lupus is for us to do it by living well.
There is a place between who you were and who you want to be ~ that place begins here.
Sending our best,
- Maria
Meet Maria
Maria began her professional career in social work with community outreach, early social service research and case work with street youth and runaways. From there, she has held positions teaching living skills in several school districts, has worked in social service research and has coordinated state grant community programs throughout Oregon and Washington, has conducted program evaluations and assessments in health-based and gerontological programs. Diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis (Stage Four) and Raynaud’s Syndrome in 1998, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Oregon State and a Masters in Urban Studies (M.U.S.) from Portland State University. She was a recipient of a Student Research Grant through Northwest Health Foundation in 2003 and continues her professional education through workshops and conferences. Her emphasis in building lupus support and living with illness ‘well’ comes through in her outreach work, on-going research and articles. That work so far is what provided the foundation from where MLWT was born.
An Oregonian since she was six, she currently resides in the Portland-Metro area with her family and feels fortunate to have a supportive network of people, who have been instrumental in her health management and achieving recurring remissions from her lupus and kidney involvement over the last decade. Although she struggles to admit she needs help sometimes, she enjoys being around for her two teenage daughters, shares in social adventures with good friends, seeks every opportunity to explore our beautiful state through outdoor fitness excursions like hiking and cross-country skiing, dutifully tends her own garden, and makes sure she appreciates as many simple pleasures as she can- every single day.
Our MLWT Advisory Team
Our Advisory Team is comprised of individuals who offer MLWT a sounding board for program growth, topic suggestions, information verification and insights into health management strategies. The volunteer members are private individuals and professionals who have proven to MLWT their commitment to Oregon health care reform, lupus advocacy, support resource development and encouraging the empowerment of individuals in their own care. This team continues to grow as MLWT expands and we are pleased to currently have these members guiding our way:
Kathy Casey, Executive Director Pacific Northwest Chapter,LFA
Carolyn and Jerry Glein, Directors MY Lupus/Fibro Support Group
Douglas Franklin, M.S. CRC Disability Specialist
Nancy Chapman, Prof. Emerita Urban & Public Affairs,Portland State University, OR
Bill Thome, M.S.W Independent Disability Representative
Program Contributors
Individuals, both locals and worldwide, introduce themselves through articles, interviews and forums as they contribute information pertinent to living with chronic illnesses. The aim is to offer the MLWT community connections and resources to draw from regularly on a variety of topics. Contributions are also open to those within the MLWT community who have a story to share. For more information on contributing, send your email to maria@mylifeworkstoday.com.
