BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT!
Women Helping Women & The Comfort Zone
Three weeks into the new WHF section named ‘Comfort Zone’ an evolution
occurred. The section’s original concept was to have an interactive arena for women to share post partum tips or
discuss post surgical mental and physical care. The positive response was overwhelming and the realization that
this section was not limited to these specific topics became apparent within this short period of time. The addition
of ‘Women Helping Women’ was a natural progression. I would like to state that "Women" is in name only.
Women Helping Women is not exclusive to women. Men are encouraged to interact and share experiences concerning
women’s issues and there will be no discrimination in interaction! My life’s work is in the field of women’s health
and my work environment is within an all female atmosphere. (Something that my spouse has gotten quite used to
and jokes from time to time I need male work interaction to keep balance…but that is another topic for another
time.) I do not find this all female atmosphere unusual for me, I being raised in an all female household. An early
death of my father placed my mother and my sister and myself teaming up with a family in a similar situation. It
was the early 60’s and many of the social programs (financial support and emotional counseling) were not available.
The women of the 90’s have much more access to information, it is no longer taboo to talk of health problems or
emotions. Our foremothers suffered in silence and fear. Women Helping Women will break down the walls of silence
with interaction and support from around the globe.
A close friend of the family, Gloria, had lost her husband exactly one
month prior to my father’s death. She became a single mother of five children, four girls and one son. I will never
doubt fate as this family lived on the same street as ours. I saw very early a supportive bond develop in our newly
combined family. My mother and Gloria dealt with issues such as single parenting, learning to drive a car in middle
age, near financial ruin and the stress of supporting a family with no work skills. My mother and Gloria helped
each other with baby sitting, bartering services of hair cutting and crafts. There was no offering of choice on
how to function through this loss. The first priority of these women was to keep the family unit together. Gloria
has passed away but she will remain as an inspiration to me. My mother is alive and well and nearing 74 years of
age, she too is an inspiration.
The loss of innocence that these families overcame was directly related
to women helping women. The seeking out of someone in a similar situation to share burden and despair can bring
forth great result. Misery loves company but the misery must have life and death and be conquered.
The goal of this interactive section is to provide an area for women
to share their techniques in dealing with issues that affect our quality of life. The sharing of emotional travel
through difficult times. YOU choose the topic, it need not be always concerning health issues as this is a forum
for YOU. Eventually an archived index of specific topics will be available so the more interaction the more we
all will learn and benefit.
Somewhere there is a story to tell….. Will you share your story with
us? We would love to hear from you!
A sincere thank you to the past 'Comfort Zone' participants and a warm
welcome to the future 'Women Helping Women' authors.
Janet Tomko, RDMS
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