Did you know that the mascot of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is the Zebra?!
One of the kids doctors said "I think you have a herd of Zebras!" Some say " If it looks like a horse, acts like a horse and sounds like a horse it must be a horse, unless it's a ZEBRA!" People with this connective tissue and collagen disease often have very different symptoms and often they look like minor issues that any "horse" (kid) might have... a sprained ankle, sore muscles, a numb finger, headaches, blurry vision, but put together they are signs of EDS. Also, each patient's symptoms are as unique as the stripes on a Zebra.
In 2024, after years of searching for answers to the pain our 5 kids have been experiencing, coupled with muscle weakness, numbness or joint pain and severe headaches among many other issues we learned about EDS or Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, of which there are 14 types so far. Our kids have the hypermobile type which is prone to sprains, strains, subluxations and dislocations. They also all have scoliosis and autism, with learning and sensory issues, which can also go with it.
We are still learning so much about this, how it affects the kids and our lives as a collective family. We have found this site for the Ehlers Danlos Society to be very helpful! https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/
Right now our kids use various braces, orthotics, medications and even walkers and wheelchairs to deal with the impacts to their joints and muscles. They live with daily pain, sometimes very debilitating and sometimes robbing them, and me, of sleep! It's a new journey for us, but we are learning daily and ready to share as we go.
For the past 16 months we have been working on a plan to remodel our home and make it handicap accessible so the girls don't have to scoot on their bottoms to get places or have us carry them. Finally after a long, long wait we are suppose to get the final plans and start the permitting this month, maybe even the demo. It is currently May 1st of 2024. _UPDATE_ it is now July 2024 and we are still in permitting but so close to getting our approval!!!! HERE WE GO!!!
We are also looking for the perfect transit van so we can carry five kids, three adults and 2 wheelchairs around. If you know of one please let us know. _UPDATE_ July 2024 - in May we visited Cheyenne, Wy to watchour granddaughter graduate!!! We also ran into a sweet family at Perkins and started a conversation that ended with a drive to their place to see the van they were selling, and TADA- we bought our unicorn!!! We now have a 2017 Ford Transit Van with twin turbos, plenty of space for kids and cheelchairs and groceries!!! YIPPEEE!! And I love it!!
Things here are moving so fast and there are so many appts each week, it definately takes a lot of time!!!! Come with us as we learn all about our Zebras!
We welcome your questions, lets learn together!
In 2024, after years of searching for answers to the pain our 5 kids have been experiencing, coupled with muscle weakness, numbness or joint pain and severe headaches among many other issues we learned about EDS or Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, of which there are 14 types so far. Our kids have the hypermobile type which is prone to sprains, strains, subluxations and dislocations. They also all have scoliosis and autism, with learning and sensory issues, which can also go with it.
We are still learning so much about this, how it affects the kids and our lives as a collective family. We have found this site for the Ehlers Danlos Society to be very helpful! https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/
Right now our kids use various braces, orthotics, medications and even walkers and wheelchairs to deal with the impacts to their joints and muscles. They live with daily pain, sometimes very debilitating and sometimes robbing them, and me, of sleep! It's a new journey for us, but we are learning daily and ready to share as we go.
For the past 16 months we have been working on a plan to remodel our home and make it handicap accessible so the girls don't have to scoot on their bottoms to get places or have us carry them. Finally after a long, long wait we are suppose to get the final plans and start the permitting this month, maybe even the demo. It is currently May 1st of 2024. _UPDATE_ it is now July 2024 and we are still in permitting but so close to getting our approval!!!! HERE WE GO!!!
We are also looking for the perfect transit van so we can carry five kids, three adults and 2 wheelchairs around. If you know of one please let us know. _UPDATE_ July 2024 - in May we visited Cheyenne, Wy to watchour granddaughter graduate!!! We also ran into a sweet family at Perkins and started a conversation that ended with a drive to their place to see the van they were selling, and TADA- we bought our unicorn!!! We now have a 2017 Ford Transit Van with twin turbos, plenty of space for kids and cheelchairs and groceries!!! YIPPEEE!! And I love it!!
Things here are moving so fast and there are so many appts each week, it definately takes a lot of time!!!! Come with us as we learn all about our Zebras!
We welcome your questions, lets learn together!
As a Personal Life Strategist I help women, children and families make plans and goals that get them back on track and turn tragedies into triumphs, dead ends into open roads and despair into rejoicing. This role is much like a consultant or a mentor and works well for those who may need extra help in their current lives with accountability and making decisions.
As a Christian Life Coach I work with those seeking to overcome obstacles in their lives as they do the work it takes to gain new ground and reach their goals. I help them with accountability and goal setting as the of they get "unstuck" on their journey forward. In this role I work to listen fully and ask a lot of reflective questions to get you thinking for yourself about your situation as you begin to see things in more of a full picture.
WHO- Those who really need the opportunity to move forward and get un-stuck from their storms and learn to SHINE ON.
WHAT- Use your imagination! This could be getting organized, keeping the house clean, getting kids to be more responsible and keeping their rooms clean, finding time for your spouse or actually getting that long overdue project finally done!
.
HOW- As a Christian Life Coach I am available to work via the phone, internet conferencing, Skype or in person. When working with teams and groups it is best to work in person but when working one on one the phone also works quite well!
As a Personal Life Strategist I prefer to work closely and in person although it is possible to work virtually. It may, however, take longer to get the same results.
As a Speaker I can spread your message to a group or audience much quicker and use group activities to begin to effectively start the process of change. This can be a great catalyst and offers excellent group results, but for personal change often more is needed on a more individualistic basis.
WHY- God placed a passion deep within my heart long ago, to help others to SHINE ON and to keep following Him and the path He has laid before us. Each journey is different, each path is different, but the One who designs our paths is the same; yesterday, today and forever. I deeply desire to follow this path and to help others to follow it too. I call it- creating contagious Christianity!
WHERE- Usually the Treasure Valley, Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. however I am willing to go wherever God calls me to go in order to do what He has called me to do. That may be here in Boise, or in Haiti or in Kenya or Canada or Belize... it matters not, as long as God is with me! With today's technology distance is less of a problem in connecting and making things work, or using our wonderful transportation systems to get from Boise to YOU!
When? NOW! God has put things in place to make it so that NOW is the time for us to do His work, to seek Him, to work on our relationships with Him and others, and to get un-stuck so that we are the most usable for His greater purpose for our lives!
What will it cost? This will depend on the route you go and the services you desire. I have packages for as little as $75, and of course a 15 minute Q & A consult is free.This will allow us to decide if my services are right for your needs.
More about Raini
Weathering Life’s Storms and Living to SHINE! Raini's Story
Raini was born in Oregon where her father was temporarily stationed as the Weatherman for the King Network (NBC). Her family however, was from Boise, Idaho and returned to Boise while she was still a toddler. She grew up in the North End of Boise along with 2 brothers. At the age of 8 Raini had a very vivid and scary dream of going to hell, when she told her mom of her dream her mom told her about Jesus and His plan for salvation and forgiveness. That night Raini asked Jesus to save her from going to Hell, but she did not allow Jesus to control her whole life or be her Lord; ONLY for him to be her Savior as she thought she could handle the rest by herself and she was fearful to trust a male figure.
By the time she was a senior in High School Raini had already experienced child sexual abuse & exploitation through an Uncle, as well as date rape, and through this was in a very abusive dating relationship. Soon after turning 18, while still a senior in High School, she ran away from home in an effort to escape, and she began a journey to some very dark places with some very dark people. Yet God was pursuing her at every turn. She soon found herself in an abusive marriage to an angry, alcoholic, drug abusing, law enforcement officer and her life was everything she had never dreamed it would be. But here she was; alone, hurting and frightened when in desperation she called out to Jesus and this time she made Him her Lord, giving him complete control as surrendering herself fully to his will, The rest is a beautiful story of the journey back and the process of healing from so many deep wounds and so much trauma.
Her journey also includes infertility, adultery by her first husband, widowhood, remarriage and adoption. By Gods grace she is, by birth, marriage, adoption, custody and guardianship Mom to 14 and Nana to 16/21, currently! Raini is now a trauma mama, who has a great deal of experience in dealing with children from hard places that have experienced a great deal of trauma. She is married to her loving second husband, Doug Bowles. Doug & Raini own a business in Boise, Idaho, where together they are doing things she would have never thought she would be doing, but always hoped to do. Her passion is creating contagious Christianity, public speaking, working with groups, helping people to SHINE and organizing things!
Raini’s signature phrase is SHINE ON, which she describes as Sharing, Helping, Inspiring, Nurturing, & Encouraging Others Now! Her tag line is "Weathering Life's Storms and Living to Shine On!
As a Christian Life Coach I work with those seeking to overcome obstacles in their lives as they do the work it takes to gain new ground and reach their goals. I help them with accountability and goal setting as the of they get "unstuck" on their journey forward. In this role I work to listen fully and ask a lot of reflective questions to get you thinking for yourself about your situation as you begin to see things in more of a full picture.
WHO- Those who really need the opportunity to move forward and get un-stuck from their storms and learn to SHINE ON.
WHAT- Use your imagination! This could be getting organized, keeping the house clean, getting kids to be more responsible and keeping their rooms clean, finding time for your spouse or actually getting that long overdue project finally done!
.
HOW- As a Christian Life Coach I am available to work via the phone, internet conferencing, Skype or in person. When working with teams and groups it is best to work in person but when working one on one the phone also works quite well!
As a Personal Life Strategist I prefer to work closely and in person although it is possible to work virtually. It may, however, take longer to get the same results.
As a Speaker I can spread your message to a group or audience much quicker and use group activities to begin to effectively start the process of change. This can be a great catalyst and offers excellent group results, but for personal change often more is needed on a more individualistic basis.
WHY- God placed a passion deep within my heart long ago, to help others to SHINE ON and to keep following Him and the path He has laid before us. Each journey is different, each path is different, but the One who designs our paths is the same; yesterday, today and forever. I deeply desire to follow this path and to help others to follow it too. I call it- creating contagious Christianity!
WHERE- Usually the Treasure Valley, Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. however I am willing to go wherever God calls me to go in order to do what He has called me to do. That may be here in Boise, or in Haiti or in Kenya or Canada or Belize... it matters not, as long as God is with me! With today's technology distance is less of a problem in connecting and making things work, or using our wonderful transportation systems to get from Boise to YOU!
When? NOW! God has put things in place to make it so that NOW is the time for us to do His work, to seek Him, to work on our relationships with Him and others, and to get un-stuck so that we are the most usable for His greater purpose for our lives!
What will it cost? This will depend on the route you go and the services you desire. I have packages for as little as $75, and of course a 15 minute Q & A consult is free.This will allow us to decide if my services are right for your needs.
More about Raini
Weathering Life’s Storms and Living to SHINE! Raini's Story
Raini was born in Oregon where her father was temporarily stationed as the Weatherman for the King Network (NBC). Her family however, was from Boise, Idaho and returned to Boise while she was still a toddler. She grew up in the North End of Boise along with 2 brothers. At the age of 8 Raini had a very vivid and scary dream of going to hell, when she told her mom of her dream her mom told her about Jesus and His plan for salvation and forgiveness. That night Raini asked Jesus to save her from going to Hell, but she did not allow Jesus to control her whole life or be her Lord; ONLY for him to be her Savior as she thought she could handle the rest by herself and she was fearful to trust a male figure.
By the time she was a senior in High School Raini had already experienced child sexual abuse & exploitation through an Uncle, as well as date rape, and through this was in a very abusive dating relationship. Soon after turning 18, while still a senior in High School, she ran away from home in an effort to escape, and she began a journey to some very dark places with some very dark people. Yet God was pursuing her at every turn. She soon found herself in an abusive marriage to an angry, alcoholic, drug abusing, law enforcement officer and her life was everything she had never dreamed it would be. But here she was; alone, hurting and frightened when in desperation she called out to Jesus and this time she made Him her Lord, giving him complete control as surrendering herself fully to his will, The rest is a beautiful story of the journey back and the process of healing from so many deep wounds and so much trauma.
Her journey also includes infertility, adultery by her first husband, widowhood, remarriage and adoption. By Gods grace she is, by birth, marriage, adoption, custody and guardianship Mom to 14 and Nana to 16/21, currently! Raini is now a trauma mama, who has a great deal of experience in dealing with children from hard places that have experienced a great deal of trauma. She is married to her loving second husband, Doug Bowles. Doug & Raini own a business in Boise, Idaho, where together they are doing things she would have never thought she would be doing, but always hoped to do. Her passion is creating contagious Christianity, public speaking, working with groups, helping people to SHINE and organizing things!
Raini’s signature phrase is SHINE ON, which she describes as Sharing, Helping, Inspiring, Nurturing, & Encouraging Others Now! Her tag line is "Weathering Life's Storms and Living to Shine On!