have received two important gifts in my lifetime from [Shanti founder] Charles Garfield.
I first met Charlie when I was paralyzed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. He was then a graduate
student and was assigned to patients in the V.A. hospital at Fort Miley. Nothing that he had learned in his classes could have prepared him for his experience with me.
He dug deep into his own psyche to reach me. His constant spirit nurtured me through a year filled with pain and anger. Without his help I don't think that I would have recovered.
After my experience in the hospital I spent several decades volunteering, eventually discontinuing my Social Security Disability and returning to work as Director of Volunteer Ministries at Calvary Christian Church.
Open heart surgery sent me back to the hospital last year, and afterwards I decided to contact the people who had meant the most to me in my life. Charlie certainly numbered among them.
That's when I received the second gift: Charlie told me that he had started Shanti because of his experience with me. I suppose, in a way, that makes me Shanti's first client.
He recounted those moments when he realized that listening, speaking and acting from the heart were central to the process of healing. And to his own life's purpose.
Charlie nurtured a whole generation of caregivers who helped people with cancer and AIDS. He formed this group into an organization called Shanti, a Sanskrit word meaning 'inner peace'. For many caregivers and care-receivers it became a transition to a higher place.
For me, Charlie's work provided the inspiration and opportunity for me to remain here and create new healing opportunities for others. This even included my involvement with a Shanti volunteer, Dick Delancey, during a particularly difficult time…as he cared for a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
have received two important gifts in my lifetime from [Shanti founder] Charles Garfield.
I first met Charlie when I was paralyzed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. He was then a graduate
student and was assigned to patients in the V.A. hospital at Fort Miley. Nothing that he had learned in his classes could have prepared him for his experience with me.