Comment by Leslee on 14 Dec 2011 at 10:22 pm

Dear Karen,

I am inspired by you and wanted to know how you deal with down days. And if you talk to Dr. Baer at all during these times. If you had a warning sign what might that be to Dr. Baer. Does he really know you now?

Leslee

Wisconsin Dells

Dear Leslee,

Difficult questions. I admit to having down moments here and there, but no longer have full days of feeling down. What I do is try to get involved with volunteering in the community to distract my sadness and keep my spirits lifted. There’s nothing more helpful for turning away from my grief than by helping someone.

Regarding warnings signs, Dr. Baer lives in Chicago and I live in Texas so it’s a bit difficult to meet like we once did, but I do know that anytime I call him he would be there, listen to me, and that alone helps me feel cared for. I try my best to live my life without seeking help. It’s not that I don’t need to talk at times, of course I do, it simply means that I have found a way to share with friends, my pastor, or my community of wonderful forever friends who care. I am blessed to have many people in my life who know and accept me. And yes, Dr. Baer knows me well, he may not know what I do with my days, but overall he knows me better than I know myself. I can’t hide who I am. Dr. Baer and I share a bond that can’t be broken.

Thank you for your kind thoughts and questions,

Karen