"Ripple effect" meeting of NPF's One to One program: Michel, her daughter, Kathleen, John and me. Such wonderful people!
Macmillan Dictionary defines “ripple effect” as a situation in which one thing causes a series of other things to happen. And John was exactly right when he used this term to describe our meeting with Michel.
I better start at the beginning so you can understand how touching and truly life-changing this face-to-face meeting was.
In 2013, Michel reached out to the National Psoriasis Foundation to find support through its Psoriasis One to One mentor program. Her two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with psoriasis and she was having a difficult time managing the emotional She was looking for emotional support and information to better help her daughter.
Michel was matched with John, a mentor in the program. Unfortunately, John didn’t have a little one at home and didn’t feel he could provide Michel all the support she needed.
John, in turn, reached out to Kathleen Carter, the marvelous NPF staff person who was overseeing the program at that time but now oversees the Patient Navigation Center. John had remembered meeting me earlier that year at the 2013 National Volunteer Conference, and he thought I might be able to help Michel because I was also raising a child with psoriasis.
When Kathleen contacted me and shared Michel’s story, I was immediately touched and my heart went out to her. As a mother myself, I could understand her feelings of guilt and hopelessness.
Soon, Michel and I were connected via email. Our conversations were limited, but letting her know that there was someone else in the universe who understood what she was going through made all the difference.
Fast forward to 2016 when Michel joined NPF’s Youth Services Committee and also became a parent mentor in the One to One program herself. She said she wanted to give back to NPF for the help her mentors provided her. That really put tears in my eyes!
I got to know Michel a little better by working with her on the Youth Services Committee and helping to plan the youth track of the 2017 National Volunteer Conference, but it wasn’t until this month at the conference that we finally got to meet face to face. And what a meeting it was!
Corene Pettit, the wonderful NPF staff person who now oversees the Psoriasis One to One program, asked me to officially become a parent mentor and attend a special session at the conference. During this session, I sat next to John, totally by accident as I hadn’t remembered meeting him briefly four years earlier. He was the nicest person with such a big heart. John told me the story about being Michel’s former mentor and how he asked Kathleen to pair Michel and I together. I was so touched by that story, which I had not heard in its entirety until then. It warmed my heart so much.
Not long after, Michel joined John and I at our table. Again, just by happenstance. Michel had not met John or I face-to-face before then. What an amazing moment when we all finally met! John coined it correctly when he said this was a “ripple effect.” And I agree with Michel when she says this meeting wasn’t a coincidence.
Later that evening, we all bumped into each other again at just the right moment. We snatched a photo – one I will treasure forever – that features John, Michel, her daughter, Kathleen and myself. (See the photo at the top of this post.)
I am so happy to be among such wonderful people at NPF, and I’m especially proud that I will get to volunteer alongside Michel and John, two amazing mentors who continue to inspire psoriasis patients and parents every day – including me!
And to think, this chance (or not by chance) meeting was just the start to my exciting time in Chicago at the conference. There are too many to list, but below are few other stand-out highlights from the conference. To see lots more on social media, search #NPFNVC2017.
Moderating the Parent Roundtable session where parents were able to speak with Amy Paller, M.D., chair of the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Seeing the kids splash in the hotel pool during the family meet-up activity. After all, they are kids first and psoriasis comes second. It is an amazing feeling when they meet other kids their age who also have psoriasis. And how meaningful to meet the parents and other Youth Committee members, too! Thank you, Sarah, for putting this together.
Presenting at the Team NPF DIY breakout session with Tami, an exceptional volunteer who is a boss at hosting and fundraising her own events.
Having my own kid be part of the patient panel during the teen track. I only snapped a photo and then scurried off, but I was still proud.
Meeting so many new people from across the country – patients, NPF staff, and researchers. And, of course, reuniting with familiar faces throughout the weekend, especially our unfortunately small group of psocial ambassadors (Unfortunately, many or the psocial ambassadors were unable to attend due to sickness, pregnancy and life events.) My heart is still full from all of the connections!
Running with my best friend during the Team NPF Run in Chicago. I honestly don’t know how she puts up with me.
And I can’t forget the honor of receiving the Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award. This award was not mine alone. So many NPF volunteers from across the spectrum contributed. Each project, committee and fundraiser was not done solo. I am forever humbled and grateful for the volunteers and NPF staff who let me be a part of the greater good. I love you all!
P.S. Don't forget August is Psoriasis Action Month, so get moving and make a difference!
