How to Cope With Uncertainty and Fear During a Pandemic
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
4y ago
I know that a lot of folks are struggling physically right now, and all I can do for them is pray (which I am). I also know that so many more people are struggling emotionally and psychologically (my practice is booming). For those folks, there is a little something I can do; and that is to offer some some suggestions of how best to cope during this time of uncertainty and fear. Here are a few: 1) Take care of yourself physically - eat well, get plenty of sleep, and EXERCISE. Not only will you strengthen your immune system to fight off this evil virus, but your mental health is very closely ti ..read more
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No Barriers 2019
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
5y ago
Another No Barriers Summit under my belt!  (For a recap of previous Summits, click here or here.) Last month, Brook and I traveled to Lake Tahoe to join my favorite group of people for a weekend of inspiration and adventure. The last time we made the cross-country journey, we had five kids in tow, so this time, our day of flying seemed easy and short. We made it to the Squaw Creek Resort, had a quick dinner, and turned in early since we knew we would need every bit of energy over the next few days. The next morning came quickly, a California sunny sky with a cool mountain breeze. Mornings do ..read more
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One Last Cooking Feat
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
5y ago
In the previous two posts, I've recounted some accomplishments (for me anyway) that I've recently been able to achieve. (See Back in the kitchen and Bread That's Really Cake) Baking my dear old bread was one of the last items on the running list I’ve kept of things I wanted to do again after losing my hands. I always say that obstacles are opportunities to overcome and that conquering one obstacle gives us the drive, the confidence, and the skills we need to tackle others. So, inspired by this new confidence, I decided to at least approach another item on that list of things that (before my di ..read more
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Bread That's Really Cake
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
5y ago
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about what it has been like for me to get back into the kitchen after losing my limbs. (See Back in the Kitchen). Being able to put a (very) simple meal together is one thing, but baking is quite another. For five years now, I’ve mourned that (another) one of my greatest joys was taken away with my limbs. But underneath that sadness were other emotions as well. There were glimmers of hope - each time I conquered a difficult task in the kitchen, I became more hopeful that maybe I could bake my favorite Amish Cinnamon Bread. But something was stopping me. Upon ref ..read more
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Back In the Kitchen
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
5y ago
When I became an amputee, there was one other lady who lived in Charlotte who was a quadruple amputee. Her amputations resulted from sepsis as well, but in her case the infection began after a kidney stone. In my early days as an amputee, this dear woman came to visit me on multiple occasions to provide encouragement as well as instruction on how to use my (then) new prosthetics. She drove to my house, which amazed me because I did not think I would ever be able to drive. She showed me how she could use an adaptive fork to eat relatively gracefully. With light in her eyes, she bragged about he ..read more
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Mercies in Disguise
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
5y ago
My sister, Brittany, put together a gorgeous book — Mercies in Disguise — of all the CaringBridge entries and comments made during my illness and recovery back in 2013-2014. Thank you Brittany for this thoughtful gift; which, I'm sure, quite an arduous task! What a labor of love and kindness—  not only putting the book together but also the beautifully written journal entries, the comments posted, the prayers lifted, and the acts of love towards me and my family that it recorded. One comment noted that, during one 5-hour period, over 1,000 people had visited the site. Wow.  There were literal ..read more
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Dreams, Fairy Tales, and Superheroes
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
5y ago
I have always dreamed of having my own private counseling practice. That was what I had always planned to do once the kids were in school. I dreamed of a quiet office in a little old house, full of character and love. I'd have a nice big desk and a place on the wall for those hard-earned diplomas and awards. It would be peaceful and relaxing, complete with a big chair and yes, the therapist’s couch. (Little known industry secret: we don't hate it too much when we have a “no-show” appointment because that presents a perfect opportunity for a nap!)  But back to my dream. In my dream, I'd love to ..read more
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Update
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
5y ago
Anybody out there wondering how I am doing? (Aside from my husband's string of comedic updates on social media?)  I have not blogged in months. Months! My excuse? I've been busy. Now, it is normally a big pet peeve of mine when people say they've been "busy." (I've often been the person standing in line at Starbucks behind the lady saying, “Oh, I’ve just been so busy.” As if busy was code for “important.” She goes on complaining - in this case humble bragging - she has just been promoted at work, she'll be managing hundreds of employees, little Johnny has started practicing for his traveling s ..read more
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Back to Work
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
5y ago
Plans. Ha. My husband and I had plans. Brook would continue working as an insurance executive. I’d stay home with the kids until the twins went to kindergarten, at which point I'd go back to work 25 hours or so a week as a Licensed Professional Counselor. I'd then be able to contribute to our monthly budget, AND we'd be able to save for college. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. That's God giggling. Then Jeannie Bean came along. Not planned.  (Though embraced.) New plan: I'd stay at home with the kids for four or five more years, then I'd go back to work. Secretly, I was thrilled. I love babies, and I loved st ..read more
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No Barriers - Recap
Kristan Seaford
by Kristan Seaford
5y ago
Hmmm...As I sit here a week after returning from my trip to the No Barriers Summit (it has taken me this long to recover from jet lag and the chaos that is called the last week of school in a house with five kids), I have so much to recount and so many conclusions I've drawn. But I have no idea where to start...  So, the beginning seems like a good place, right? The flights out to CA were as uneventful as things get for a family with a disabled mom and five kids on their first airplane rides. Meaning that our day of travel was hilarious, to an outsider. We must have looked like a gaggle of gee ..read more
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