Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill.
She has authored eight books, including resources for over 300 HopeKeepers groups, a small group program of Rest Ministries.
As editor of HopeKeepers Magazine, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, and host of Hope Endures radio program Lisa seeks to encourage churches to increase an outreach to the chronically ill nearly 1 in 2 people in the U.S.
Lisa’s works have been published in periodicals such as Just Between Us and Faith Writers Magazine, and books including God Allow U-Turns.
Lisa is a sought-after speaker and has been a guest of radio programs Decision Today, Family Life and Joni and Friends. Rest Ministries is an affiliate of Joni and Friends, the international ministry that serves those with disabilities.
Lisa resides in San Diego with her husband and 6-year-old son, and has lived with degenerative rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since 1993.
Hello Lisa,
I totally agree with your feelings about being struck down in your early 20’s. For me it was still while I was at school. Actually I was the tender age of 8 years young! I was diagnosed with that retched dis-ease of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Well, all the tablets back then (I am going on 50 this year) did a terrible thing to me, my kindneys, liver and who knows what else in my body and again I was told “you have a condition called Sponge Kidneys. It is not totally serious, just 10 in a million people get it…”This happened when I was 14!
Lisa, I tried all kinds of things including changing my diet, more exercise, less, different, more alkaline in my diet, less, more acid, less, I also had and still have very sensitive skin, so you’re kidding I didn’t cop some flack at school! Needless to say if you said “BOO!” to me, I would have run a mile!
Now, I have learned to live with it and fortunately I only ached when the weather changes. One specialist told me I was just one of those weather barometers! I could not go into the freezer section of a supermarket without rugging up and in the middle of a 40 degree heat wave (in your terms nearing the 100) I could be found with a woolen blanket wrapped around me to keep the aching pain away.
Lisa, here is what worked for me:
Diet – a well balanced diet of veges and lean red meat. This also gives plenty of iron as well. A balance of milk/dairy products as we also need our calcium (though I have always had an on/off problem with cows milk so I tried soy milk. I think goats milk also helps.
Exercise – don’t over do it! No running – only walking. I love to go for walks and I have an excuse now – I have a dog so I take her for walks. Just nice, easy relaxing walks, not too fast and strenuous – I totally disagree that “no pain no gain” This has the effect of leaving your muscles used to hard slogging and when you relax too much, they start to kink or sag. Regular easy exercise is better than hard and fast! Swimming is also good, although I am not a good swimmer, the water helps for bouyance.
I wish you all the very best in what you are doing and will come back soon.
Love and Laughter always
Sandy Cee
Hi Lisa:
Wow!! I just came across your blog looking for information regarding yesterdays show with Oprah and Montel- and I found you.
My name is Christine Groth, and my husband was diagnosed with MS over 19 years ago. We are “very” passionate about MS and are also bloggers. You can find us at http://www.conquerms.com
I would like to take the opportunity to get to know you and perhaps work with you. I see you have a radio show and so do we. We do “blog talk radio” and would welcome you for an interview.
You can reach us at 262-567-1348 or reply to this email. Your blog looks very professional, great work. I know how much time blogs take each and every day.
Hope to here from you,
Christine Groth
Lisa, I discovered Rest Ministries online about 7-8 yrs ago. Over the yrs, I’ve been blessed & inspired by your ministry. God has gifted u in writing, insight, vision, & passion for chronic illness ministry. Seems like u’re so often looking ahead for new possibilities to advance the ministry. I just want to say THANKS for sharing your ministry. & I pray for u & ur family, that God will protect & guide u! To God be the Glory!
Randall/Randy Schreurs
Congratulations Lisa on your wonderful work. It is a naturally strong foundation of Christianity to reach out to the ill, but it takes someone with your inspiration and insight to move such a ‘transparent’ mountain. I believe that God sets us on a path and gives us what we need to have in our lives in order to understand the work He wants us to do. As I explained in my first blog of a couple years ago http://chronic-connections.blogspot.com/2007/08/my-story-begins.html , I wish my own people of the Jewish world were able to assist each other as readity as our Christian friends seem to be able to do.
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Cheers Howard Mitchell
Hi Lisa,
Your website has done so much for me. I used to lead a Hopekeepers group at my church. What you are doing for us in chronic pain is truly wonderful. Your devotionals gave many people hope and encouragement. Seeing what you have to endure and are able to accomplish gives me such hope. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Hi, Lisa:
If some of your readers that are dealing with significant medical issues need help, as to the fact that claims are denied, they are receiving letters threatening with collections, and they need to concentrate on taking care of their loved ones, or themselves, I can help them sort through all of this so they can concentrate on getting well. My company Medical Billing Advocacy of the Rockies can help people through the US. Holly Knapp