ance, should a sufferer choose to contact him. It’s been a long journey, with more twists and turns yet to come. It’s challenged the selfmade assumptions of who I am and who I’d like to be. It forced me to see beyond externals and make peace with myself — no matter what I look like. It made me look at others and realize that nobody wants to be deformed or damaged. Nobody wants to be “shlumpy” or overweight. Nobody wants to be the “nebech.” Sometimes, though, events in life set us up for difficulty. I’ve learned to look at the elderly as people who are more dignified than we think. For who can accept the pain of watching the body you’ve controlled your entire life, turn on its heel and begin to control you? And to accept it gracefully? Only one with wisdom can handle the betrayal of the body with a smile. I’ve learned too, that “control” is an illusion. What is man that he can control anything? While I thought that I was going to find the fountain of youth by chasing pills and potions promised to make me beautiful, I was, in fact, only harmed by them. And perhaps most important of all, I’ve realized that there is intrinsic beauty in pain. For though I don’t seek suffering, my pain serves as a catalyst to help others. And it serves to open my heart to embrace other hurting people, knowing what they’re going through. I’ve also learned that my body did not betray me; the medical system did. Though I still appreciate doctors for what they can heal, I no longer trust blindly. I now do my own research before accepting their words as solid truths. And I think I’ve been blessed to find the real fountain of youth: The long sought-after fountain of youth is not found in any earthly item that enhances beauty that is but skin deep. The true fountain of youth is found in emes. For only by knowing that flesh is but a casing for the eternal soul within, can we retain the youthful glow of a pure, newborn babe. It isn’t what we wear that matters (nor the size), but the health and vitality of the neshama within. Reach inside yourself, and you, too, will find the fountain of youth. For more information about the medical process of cortisone addiction and withdrawal, please contact TSWfighter@gmail.com or see our ad for the Skin Healing Gemach in the classifieds. Please note that stopping oral steroids suddenly may be dangerous.
Coming Home 12/18/2016 Tatty Dear, I’m coming home now, The road’s been too long for me. I’m full of bumps and bruises And bitter tears have flowed For what seems an eternity. Tatty Dear, It’s been far too hard, Trying to make it on my own. It’s been far too hard, Trying to fight the wind alone. I’ve been battered by the world, And tossed from side to side. Beaten by the hopes embraced; It’s been a painful ride. So Tatty Dear, I’m coming home now; I think I’ve learned my lesson well. It’s not about the tiny ship That fights against the swell… It’s about the Master of the Oceans, And where He desires that ship to go. It’s about the wisdom gained upon the journey, And the healing of one’s own soul. Tatty Dear, I’m coming to your embrace. I’m handing you my peckel, Knowing it’s only you Who can always keep me safe. Note to reader: Steroid-induced skin damage (called Red Skin Syndrome or Topical Steroid WIthdrawal) is almost always misdiagnosed as eczema or psoriasis, and sufferers of this condition are often prescribed even more cortisone as the condition worsens. It is a tragic cycle of damaged skin being “treated” with damaging medication. Many users, like myself, have used large amounts of cortisone throughout the years. Others, though, have used only a few weeks worth of cortisone products, many times not even on a daily basis. If you have painful rashes and have used even a “little” cortisone, don’t be fooled: It may be skin damage from the cortisone.
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