The Hand To Heart Project
The Hand To Heart Project Brochure
Source: The Hand to Heart Project
Description: The physical challenges of cancer are only part of the experience; the emotional and spiritual toll can be overwhelming as well. The Hand to Heart Project is, as one person once described it, a small miracle that helps to ease all aspects of the burden of cancer – for patient and caregiver. Experienced massage therapists go to clients in their own homes and without charge. Hand to Heart is a nonprofit program serving much of central and southwestern New Hampshire and southern Vermont. For a list of the towns served see handtoheartproject.org, 603-542-8367.
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This looks like an amazing resource for those who might need it.
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1 ReactionThe Daily Calm App has been mentioned several times on ConnectShareCare and so wanted to highlight in this category-- like to one conversation
https://connectsharecare.org/discussion/weekly-centering-activity/?pg=25#comment-637734
A free introductory video here
The Hand to Heart Project mentioned in October story found here
https://connectsharecare.org/2021/10/04/the-six-year-journey-with-cancer-2/
A beautiful Guest Blog I wanted to be sure to highlight: written by Bobbi Rosenquest featured on The Hand to Heart website, March 22nd.
Title: A Caregiver’s Perspective on The Hand to Heart Project.
https://handtoheartproject.org/guest-blog-a-caregivers-perspective-on-the-hand-to-heart-project/
I wonder how we might get Bobbi to visit use "here" on ConnectShareCare?
Have other members utilized The Hand to Heart services, either for the person who is sick or for yourself? I know @andyvt utilized with Deb and had wonderful things to say.
I encourage others to check this program out.
My takeaways/highlights (many!) from the blog:
"After my husband’s cancer diagnosis, my life filled with strangers"
"Having recently retired we had lots of plans, but we found ourselves living a life dramatically different from the lives of our friends and family."
"Our medical team is generous with their expertise and their wisdom. But there are too many of them to relate deeply, and none can be available day-to-day." This made me think of the 24/7 access to ConnectShareCare- a community.
"But neither my support group nor what I could learn on my own provided me with ways to understand, prepare, and sustain myself during this time. Caretaking is difficult to understand unless a person has been in that role; yet each person’s experience is different. My sense is that caregivers must find their own sources of information, support, and useful insights." Agreed- well said.
"One way that I have found to cope, understand, and possibly grow is through poetry." Lessons learned on what enabled her to cope.
"I had never read poetry, understood poems, or written a single line before this past year. Poetry began to make sense to me after a few massage visits by Steve Gordon from The Hand to Heart Project. At-home massages create a space away from logistics, physical hardship, emotional tension, and social isolation."
"but what I have found especially helpful comes through the poetry that Steve quotes or sends after a visit. The poets he cites understand waiting, fear, hope, loss, and solace."
"I don’t keep a journal so writing a poem, even a haiku, helps me make sense of events and feelings."
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1 Reaction@elizabethaodonnell , I had a lovely interaction with Bobbi and she told me that she has recently learned about ConnectShareCare through the Hand To Heart Program. The circle of community support continues.
@mschaefer these massage services are also available to care partners....it is an amazing organization and they now have therapists all over New Hampshire and Vermont I believe.
Have any care partners utilized massage services for themselves?
I know @andyvt wrote about utilizing the service for his wife Deb in his story here https://connectsharecare.org/2021/10/04/the-six-year-journey-with-cancer-2/
@mschaefer I wonder if this might be a service you could utilize this week if still off work? An idea.
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1 Reaction@rowboat I just updated the Resource "description" of The Hand to Heart Project with the help of the organization-see top of page. You had mentioned utilizing their massage services.
https://connectsharecare.org/2021/10/04/the-six-year-journey-with-cancer-2/?pg=5#chv4-comment-stream-header
Is there anything you might add to the description to improve it? Your experience- in your words- could be quite powerful in getting others to access.
@andyvt can you also take a look? I know you mentioned in your personal story
https://connectsharecare.org/2021/10/04/the-six-year-journey-with-cancer-2/?pg=5#chv4-comment-stream-header
If anyone else has utilized services-organization- and can support improving this description I would welcome and appreciate. This is kind of what ConnectShareCare is about- let's take the more generic information on local Resources out there and add in the specific information- words (wisdom) from people who have used the services.
@mschaefer one more resource which you might benefit from to support self care. I believe you are eligible for massages but I can triple check. Stress, loss and grief do a lot to the body physically. They could come right to your home depending on where you live.
@hadleyjf this is one other amazing organization I wanted to highlight. They could provide massage in your home depending on location. I can't say enough about this organization and it's leader- very supportive and wealth of experiences supporting others.
https://handtoheartproject.org/
603-542-8367