Category: Health + Beauty

National Health Center Week: August 4-10

story by Donna Tracy, Communication Coordinator, HopeHealth

    Every August, HopeHealth joins a nationwide campaign to bring awareness to the nearly 1,400 health centers that are serving the health needs of underserved communities across the US.

    This year, HopeHealth, along with the National Association of Community Health Centers and the Health Center Advocacy Network, celebrates the ways that health centers are Rooted in Communities. As part of the celebrations, HopeHealth invites you to take part in Advocacy Wednesday by visiting one of our Florence, Clarendon, or Williamsburg County locations on Aug. 7. Come discover how HopeHealth is rooted in your community and sign up to be an advocate for centers across the nation. Advocacy Wednesday is a signature advocacy event that exists to encourage staff, patients, and the community to show support for HopeHealth and other health centers by signing up to be a health center advocate.

    How “rooted in community” are community health centers? The answer is, deeply. In 2017 alone, community health centers brought essential, quality health care to more than 28 million people in areas where it may otherwise not exist and bring innovative solutions to the most pressing community health care issues. At HopeHealth, the Population Health department continuously studies the behavioral and environmental elements that impact our communities and helps determine the specific needs in our areas.    For example, HopeHealth has:

• Expanded the Diabetes and Nutrition Institute telehealth services so patients in Greeleyville, Kingstree, and Manning can attend Florence diabetes prevention and management programs from their local HopeHealth office. The Pee Dee area has some of the highest incidence rates for diabetes in the nation and two-thirds of all adults in South Carolina are considered overweight or obese, according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

• Adding integrated pain management, rheumatology, chiropractic, and behavioral health services to help better serve our communities and address the ongoing opioid crisis.

• Integrating behavioral health services with primary health care to address the behavioral health needs in our areas and reduce the stigma of seeking care.

• Opened facilities in communities like Greeleyville, S.C., where HopeHealth provided care for nearly 4,000 people in the surrounding area last year.

     In the three counties HopeHealth serves as a community health center, more than 42,000 of your coworkers, family members, friends, and acquaintances have chosen to make HopeHealth their medical home.

     “The advantages of a primary care home are much like playing football in your home stadium. You get to know your provider and your care team, and, more importantly, your providers get to know you and your health history,” said Dr. Edward Behling, HopeHealth chief medical officer. “Continuous care at a primary care home builds a long-term relationship between you and your provider that can help reveal ongoing health issues that might otherwise go unrecognized at a single doctor’s office visit. Such relationships lead to better communications and disease management, less risk of complications, fewer hospitalizations, and fewer visits to an emergency department.”

     The roots of a community health center also blossom beyond the care individuals receive for their health. According to NACHC, CHCs created more than $54.6 billion in total economic activity in 2017 alone. In South Carolina, 23 health centers generated $5.13 for every dollar invested in health care programs and had an $855 million economic impact that included more than 3,400 full-time jobs at the centers and an additional 3,700 indirect jobs in their communities. In the Pee Dee, HopeHealth had a $95.3 million total economic impact in 2017 that included nearly $44 million in community spending.

    The health center employees are also rooted in your community. They are the people who you sit next to at your daughter’s basketball game, see grabbing lunch at the local barbecue joint, getting their hair cut at the main street barbershop, or buying gas at the corner station. They are your community.

While National Health Center Week provides a time to focus on those ways we are rooted in our community, advocating for health centers is a year-round effort. Those unable to visit HopeHealth during Advocacy Wednesday can still show their support by signing up as an advocate at hcadvocacy.org. Periodically, advocates are asked to help reach out to legislative representatives regarding bills and initiatives that impact our centers and, in turn, our communities.

Ways you can support your community health center include:

• Making a community health center your health care home

• If you are a health center patient, using your center’s 340b pharmacies partners when filling prescriptions. HopeHealth’s pharmacy partners can be found on our website at hope-health.org/pharmacy, or listed in any patient room

• Donating to your area community health center

• Advocating for community health centers

    Currently, advocates are asked to help communicate the importance of keeping health centers funded beyond the Sept. 30, 2019, funding cliff. HopeHealth’s business model includes a small portion of federal dollars that help support programs and services for patients who face barriers in accessing quality and consistent health care. While health centers have enjoyed bi-partisan support for their more than 50 years, funding is set to expire Sept. 30. Join us on Advocacy Wednesday or visit hcadvocacy.org to sign up as an advocate to support community health centers.

 

For more on the benefits of community health centers, visit the National Association of Community Health Centers at nachc.org or the SC Primary Health Care Association at scphca.org.

360 N Irby St. | Florence | (843) 667-9414 | hope-health.org

story by Kat Barnette, Young Living Consultant

     There are a couple of easy ways to incorporate using oils at school. Some schools do allow teachers to diffuse oils in their classrooms. Others have put them on cloths and placed them on the children’s desks. Make sure to check with your school to see what their rules are.

     For individual children, you can use leather jewelry and apply the oils straight to the leather. Anytime the child wants to smell it, they can! It’s like wearing perfume, but way safer and can help them focus, destress, relax..the options are endless!

     Another great option is to use a diffuser locket necklace and place a piece of leather inside. Add a few drops to the piece of leather and wear all day.

LAVENDER

     This is great support for sleep the night before school! If there are butterflies for your kiddos, or if they are restless, especially before bed, diffusing and applying to the feet is a great option to help them get the sleep they need!

Benefits of lavender oil:

• Roll onto feet after school for calming
• Roll onto the chest and diffuse when pollen count is high and you’re battling allergens
• Use generously on the skin after touching something hot or after a day in the sunshine
• Use generously on bug bites or itchy skin
• Roll onto the back and drop into bath water when experiencing constipation

LEMON

     This is a “cleansing” or “clearing” oil which can be helpful for the respiratory but also for the emotions. Roll this one onto the feet and diffuse for nervousness.

Benefits of lemon oil:

• Use to remove gum or sticky residue – my fav is to remove paint after those crafty days
• Add to a blend with Lavender when pollen count is high and battling allergens
• Add onto the chest and diffuse during the winter months to support the respiratory system

THIEVES

    This is the oil for a big ‘ol immunity support! You can use this proactively before you start the school day – every day. It makes the BIGGEST difference.

PANAWAY

    This is a great oil for all the boo-boos and growing pains. Those little legs have lots of growing to do! When they are experiencing growing pains, this is one to grab!! Who has little ones who wake up at night from growing pains?

 

Want to know more about oils for back-to-school?  Visit www.myyl.com/katbarnette

story provided by Regency Hospital of Florence

     Don Ellis is always grateful to celebrate another Father’s Day and he has, in many ways, Regency Hospital Florence to thank for that. In 2013, then 67-year-old Don walked into his local emergency room short of breath, exhausted, and generally feeling bad. In quick succession, he developed a fever and went into respiratory distress. He was placed on a ventilator. Eventually, doctors discovered that Don, owner of a heating and air conditioning business, had contracted Legionnaire’s disease. Mary Lee, Don’s wife, remembers hearing the terrifying words when her husband mumbled, “Help me. I can’t breathe.” She remembers asking the Lord at that moment to not let those be the last words she would hear from him.

     He spent a month in his local hospital, cycling through rapid heartbeat, respiratory issues and acute renal disease that required dialysis. By August, he stabilized and was transferred to Regency Hospital Florence for added healing and recovery time. He was disoriented, on a ventilator, requiring airway support, and a feeding tube. He was severely weak and had muscle loss in his lower body.

     The Regency Hospital physician-led team of nurses, specialists, therapists and nutritionists formed a plan to help Don regain consciousness, breathe independently and gain enough strength to eventually continue therapy at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

     Doctors closely monitored his condition and medication, phasing him off drugs that disoriented him. As Don returned to consciousness, respiratory therapists began to test his readiness to begin transitioning him off the ventilator. Physical therapists also helped Don begin to sit up in bed for extended periods.

     Respiratory therapists prepared him to wean by conducting spontaneous breathing trials. With therapists monitoring the ventilator’s settings, the machine gradually reduced the air it was providing Don, allowing him to take an increasing number of breaths on his own. He continued this several times a day until his chest muscles and lung capacity strengthened enough to breathe on his own. Once off the ventilator, respiratory therapy began decreasing the size of his tracheostomy until his airway no longer needed support.

    Simultaneously, dietary stepped in to help retrain Don’s throat muscles to swallow food by giving him increasingly thicker liquids until he could handle swallowing liquids and foods. The increased nutrition was important because the disease significantly weakened Don’s lower body. He needed those extra calories to increase his stamina. Over the next month, therapists increased his activity, helping him sit at the bed’s edge, pivot safely, move to a chair and later, into a wheelchair. On Sept. 25, 2013, 32 days after his arrival, Don discharged to the next level of care. Out of bed and in a wheelchair, he was breathing on his own and ready to tackle the several hours of daily physical therapy at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

     Today, Don has enjoyed being retired. His son, Lee, now runs the heating and air conditioning business. Retirement gives Don the time to whip up an incredible feast, with help from his son, that he brings for the Regency Hospital staff on Thanksgiving. They have carried on this tradition every year since Don has been out of the hospital. Don and Mary Lee are so grateful that Lisa Gibson referred them to Regency Hospital. They can’t thank the nurses, doctors, and therapists enough and have since referred many people to Regency Hospital. They are grateful for their ongoing friendships with doctors at the facility, too. Regency Hospital Florence is also grateful for Don and Mary Lee’s continued friendship – and their delicious turkey dinner. Today, it represents more than just giving thanks, but also the celebration of a healthy life.

805 Pamplico Highway | 2nd & 3rd Floors

South Tower of MUSC, Florence | (843) 661-3471

Regency Hospital Florence – https://florence.regencyhospital.com/

Select Medical — https://www.selectmedical.com/

A Lifeline for Fathers in the Pee Dee

story by Gailon Wisdom

       Dads make a difference, and yet, too many dads today are not involved in their children’s lives. Not because they do not want to be involved, but things have simply gone wrong. Relationships with their children’s mother may have become strained, jobs may have failed, incarceration or life may have gotten complicated. Luckily, Man 2 Man, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help fathers overcome the barriers to be a responsible, involved father, is here to help.

     Man 2 Man is a holistic program touching and strengthening all aspects of fatherhood. The program has more than ten years of experience in the Pee Dee region. Various services provided include education in areas of health, legal, and drugs and alcohol. Services also include help with economic stability and employment, parenting and co-parenting, peer support and personal development, Child Support and Visitation. Due to the services offered, many fathers are now reconnecting with their children, which is the ultimate goal. In addition to supporting fathers and families, they are also a resource to businesses seeking employees that are ready-to-work and community organizations who want to learn more about father absence and engaging fathers.

     Man 2 Man is one of a network of six fatherhood programs reaching across the state to help reconnect fathers and their children. The SC Center for Fathers and Families helps to coordinate this statewide initiative. However, the idea for the program came about in 1999 when a group of concerned citizens in Marlboro County convened to address one of the most pressing issues at the time: father absence. After they assessed the needs of low-income fathers and developed a holistic plan to address them, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina approved the group’s request for funding, and Man 2 Man gained its start in 2000 under the umbrella of the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. From 2002-2003 the program operated under the umbrella of Chesterfield Marlboro EEOC. By 2004, the project was flourishing and growing and eventually established a standalone 501c3.

     Today Man 2 Man not only serves Marlboro County but now serves the counties of Florence, Darlington, Dillon, Chesterfield and rural areas of Marion. Collectively, the Man 2 Man program has impacted the lives of over 2,300 fathers in these counties since 2002. In 2018, 424 fathers were served, positively affecting the lives of over 900 children. Over 40% of the fathers enrolled in the program paid child support which amounted to $72,256.00. Man 2 Man also saved the Pee Dee region over $1.28 Million dollars in our Jobs and Not Jail program. Executive Director Derrick Dease believes that the program has become an oasis for men in the Pee Dee to develop their parenting skills, empowering them to become strong fathers to creating strong families.

     The program hosted several events geared to improve the mindset of fathers. These events are weekly peer group meetings on parenting, healthy relationship, economic stability, and men’s health. Other events are Dads to Grads, Job Fairs, Employability Job Boot Camp, Father’s Cookout, Free Men Health Fair, New Dads Boot Camp, and Expungement Conference. The program also assisted over 25 fathers to complete the Manufacturing Industrial Skills training at Florence Darlington Technical College in 2018.

Man 2 Man program has impacted the lives of over 2,300 fathers in these counties since 2002. In 2018, 424 fathers were served, positively affecting the lives of over 900 children.

Peer Group Session Schedule:

MONDAYS: Man 2 Man Florence Office @ 10am & 6pm

TUESDAYS: Dillon County Library @ 2pm

Harbor Freight Tools-Dillon Distribution Center @ 4:30pm

WEDNESDAYS: Northeastern Technical College – Cheraw @ 2pm

Florence-Darlington Technical College – Hartsville Office @ 4pm

THURSDAYS: Man 2 Man Bennettsville Office @ 11am & 4pm

Office Locations:

Florence Office (Headquarters)

1321 West Evans Street

Florence SC, 29501

Tel: 843.676.0407

 

Bennettsville Office

110 South Parsonage Street

Bennettsville SC 29512

Tel: 843.479.4177

www.man2manfathers.com

story by Alan Barrett, PA-C

      When it comes to men’s health, preventive maintenance varies little from car or home maintenance. We routinely change the oil, rotate and balance the tires, and perform other preventative services to keep our rides performing safely and at optimal performance. Our garages are full of tools and gadgets to address the smallest of needs around the home from changing a light bulb to installing a new picket fence.

      When it comes to vehicle and home maintenance, we are forward thinkers. We want to get the most miles out of our purchase and feel comfortable in our surroundings. In contrast, our thinking tends to be more concrete when it comes to the care of our bodies and minds.

      We have a mentality that what didn’t kill us today must be all right to do again tomorrow. Cigarettes, beer, soda, and fast food quickly become routines and habits. Too often, we consider the movement and energy expended during the workday to be sufficient exercise. We wake up tired after a few hours of sleep and proceed through our day with minimal water intake because “tap water tastes bad.”

      In order to get the miles out of your body that you desire, you have to start treating it like your other prized possessions. The more work you put into maintenance, the less likely it is you will have to take your car to the dealer for extensive work or hire a contractor for your home to do expensive repairs. You should have this same mentality with your body and mind. You have to perform pre-habilitation in order to avoid rehabilitation.

      So, how do you go about doing that? First, start small. What can you do today that will improve your health tomorrow?

• Can you stop eating fast foods and start eating clean? Make the focus fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

• Can you improve your sleep? Quality does not always equal quantity; but by simply increasing the number of hours that you are getting quality sleep (6-8 hours), you’re on your way to great pre-habilitation.

• Remember to hydrate. Water is not cost-prohibitive so feel free to splurge when drinking (64 -128 ounces daily).

• What about cigarettes and alcohol? Consider them the equivalent of putting water in your gas tank. Would you really do that?

      Small changes made on a daily basis can add up to big pay-offs when you go to see your primary care provider. Individuals who take the best care of their bodies tend to have better examinations and lab work. They also have fewer complaints in their home and work life.

      Good physical health promotes good mental health. Be proactive and promote prevention. 

360 North Irby St.  Florence | 843.667.9414 | hope-health.org

    You hear stories from students where they thank their teachers for the lessons that they taught them, and the time that they spent with them. This story is different from those. This is a thank you from the teacher to a student that taught them how determination, strength, and bliss can save a life.

    Liyana Shaik is a student like no other. She loves learning new things and relearning the old. She is known to make the best out of everything. Liyana contributes a positive attitude in the classroom, and she is always seen with a beautiful smile on her face. She is an outstanding student, loving daughter, caring friend, and a sassy little fashionista.

    In October, Liyana began to fight the exhausting battle that almost took her life. The uncertainty lasted for 72 days as Liyana was placed in ICU at MUSC in Charleston followed by 20 days in a regular room. What began with dizziness and a high fever had the doctors running multiple tests and procedures to discover what was causing this little smiley face beauty not to smile anymore. Results came back with Acute Lupus and a ruptured appendix. Recovery wasn’t easy for this 9-year-old. Chemotherapy, physical therapy, and homebound put Liyana’s strength to the test. That’s a test that she passed with a perfect score.

    Being Liyana’s teacher, I had the amazing opportunity of being her homebound teacher. This gave me time to work one on one with Liyana. During this time, I have learned so much about her. Ninety-two days is a long time in a hospital which caused her to become 2 semesters behind. That’s a lot on a third grader. If you are the parent of a third grader, you understand that third grade is no joke. In one month, this little go-getter had already completed an entire semester’s load of work. I may be the teacher, but Liyana’s story has taught me how determination, faith, and a good support system takes you from being a survivor to being a warrior.

    Liyana got to this place with an amazing support team. Liyana’s parents and older sister stood by her side through it all. Her mom being a teacher had to travel back and forth to Marion each day. Liyana was prayed for by family members, wonderful friends, and classmates at school that never forgot to ask about her. They anticipate her return to school. They can’t wait to play with their friend again. Liyana plans to return to school after spring break. In May, Lucy T. Davis is holding a Kona Ice Fundraiser to help raise funds for the medical expenses along with a GoFundMe titled, “Love for Liyana.”

    Mental health has everything to do with how we as individuals think, feel, and behave. The more positive we think, the more balanced a lifestyle we maintain, and the better we feel and function overall. However, for many, mental health automatically brings to mind mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, bipolar, and schizophrenia.

Mental health and wellness is just as real as our physical health and can impact our physical wellbeing. As most people spend the majority of their waking hours at work, it is important to cultivate mental health in the workplace.

    Being unhappy at work is common. Feeling unsupported by a supervisor or boss, inflexible work hours, unrealistic expectations, lack of resources to complete job duties, and low pay all contribute to dissatisfaction. When employees feel unsupported, unheard, and unappreciated, it has a negative impact on mental health.

    Unhealthy work environments often have low productivity, low motivation, and increased absenteeism. Stress from work can also impact family life and even increase risks for chronic illnesses and heart attacks.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages employers to implement clear and open communication within the company by:

     •  clearly communicating expectations

     •  promoting the health, safety, and wellbeing of all employees

     •  being open to ideas and feedback from employees

     •  recognizing accomplishments by giving positive reinforcements

     •  demonstrating trust by delegating responsibilities

     •  demonstrating unity

     •  being culturally sensitive

     •  remaining aware of how everyone contributes to the mission of the organization

    A positive work environment compels employees to feel good about coming to work, gives them purpose, and provides motivation to sustain them and the organization. One key component to a healthy work place is employee position compatibility. Incompatibility is a sure formula for disaster, toxicity, dissatisfaction, and non-productivity. When employers and supervisors understand their employees’ strengths and weaknesses, it is not difficult to know where they would best fit.

    Employees also have a responsibility for contributing to the wellbeing of others in the workplace by being courteous to each other and not engaging in behaviors that instigate a toxic or unsafe environment. Clear, open, and respectful communication and participation in team meetings and projects ensures that everyone can contribute to the mission of the organization. 

    Mental health in the workplace is possible and realistic! Mental health affects our life balance, focus, and day-to-day functioning. Everyone plays a role in promoting a healthy work environment. When everyone does their part, wellness is sure to flourish.

 

    E. Nicole Cogdell-Quick is a certified addictions counselor and a member of the South Carolina Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. She sees patients at HopeHealth on Palmetto Street in Florence.

360 North Irby St.  Florence  | 843.667.9414 | hope-health.org

story by Alexis Grantham | photography by Faren Kilpatrick

    As the saying goes, and 1 Corinthians 10:13 reflects, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” We’ve all been tested, some more than others, but through faith, we are able to overcome our trials. Not many have fallen witness to this quite as much as Katelyn “Kate” Whitlow-Boone. For Kate, what began with a minor spine curvature quickly grew into a severe case of scoliosis, far worse than any of her doctors had seen. Multiple tests, several doctor visits at MUSC, and major spine surgery couldn’t deter her faith and the fact that He would be by her side throughout the entire journey.

    In 2017, at the young age of 12, Kate was diagnosed with scoliosis. “I had always known I had it but the hump on my back got bigger that summer and the pain had increased tremendously,” said Kate. After a summer visit to her uncles home in Alabama, Kate’s ideas became a reality. Her uncle, a pediatrician, noticed her curved back and immediately wanted to do X-rays. His discovery led to scheduling Kate an appointment with a physician in Florence for further tests. Those tests showed that Kate’s curvature was worsening rapidly and in only three weeks it had grown from 45% to 65%. In fact, her case was becoming so advanced that she saw three different surgeons before one would take her case.

    By the time Kate’s January 8th, 2018, spinal surgery came around, her curvature had grown to 95%. “I’d like to admit that I wasn’t worried at all, but as we pulled in the hospital parking lot, butterflies began to flutter throughout my body,” said Kate. Kate’s mom, Anna, couldn’t help but worry, this was a large surgery for her little girl. “As mom began to cry, I just kept telling her ‘I am fine, I will be fine.’” As the nurses wheeled Kate back for surgery, she reassured her mom by yelling, “I got this!” Anna smiled, knowing very well that she did. “At that moment, I knew that I would most definitely make it through the surgery because I had my mom and God on my side.”

    While resting post-surgery, Kate awoke to her “amazingly talented, favorite person on the planet,” also known as her surgeon, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed. His words couldn’t have been more satisfactory, “Congratulations Kate, you are at 19 degrees!” Before leaving the hospital three days later, her remaining curve had regressed to 12 degrees.

    The diagnosis and 14-hour surgery were just steps leading to the most difficult part of all – recovery. “The hardest thing for me was to not be able to do anything, I couldn’t shower, use the restroom, anything, without help. My mom and I grew to an entirely new level of comfort and trust.” With Anna’s (Kate’s mom) medical background, they also opted for the “home treatment plan” suggested by Kate’s doctors at MUSC. The plan guided Anna through daily activities for Kate to follow in order to get better without overextending herself. Kate’s stubbornness, which she claims is hereditary, caused her to push the boundaries of her doctor’s restrictions on activities. At first, she was told to walk to the mailbox each day. That quickly grew to several walks and eventually led to a gym membership where she would walk several miles. “When my surgeon finally released me to start jogging, I kinda giggled. I had already jogged.” She continued, “ I wouldn’t suggest pushing yourself more than the doctor says but I am very stubborn and had set goals for myself.” Ballet played a large role in Kate’s life prior to surgery and her long term goal was to be back dancing within three months, she did it in two!

    Kate gives all of the glory to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She also can’t go without mentioning the outpouring of love and support from family, friends and even people she didn’t know. “Someone brought us dinner every day, my mom didn’t have to cook for a month.” Kate describes her days following surgery as a constant competition. “Everyday I’m competing with myself to be better than I was the day before,” she says. For ballet, her hips don’t move quite as they did before and her leg hasn’t raised as high, but she knows that’ll come. Her biggest accomplishment to date has been her doctor releasing her to water ski this summer, a family favorite.

“I don’t let scoliosis define me,” Kate says. “I love my scar and often wear open back shirts to display it. My scars are a part of my story.” She believes it’s all about your mindset and her mind is set on being a warrior. Kate’s story is that she is only bent, not broken.

 

For more inspiration from Katelyn, visit: bentbutnotbroken17.wordpress.com

submitted by Pee Dee Coalition

    Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of sexual assault, family violence, and child abuse and to the needs of its victims. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. This April and all year long, Pee Dee Coalition is dedicated to helping the region become a safer, more compassionate community.   

    Emily Ross, LPC, CACI, Florence County Trauma Counselor for Pee Dee Coalition, has seen a lot of survivors of abuse and sexual assault in her almost 10 years as a counselor. She has seen some amazing transformations in women. Ross says that if you are a victim of abuse or assault, just remember “you are the expert of your own life.” No one can tell you how to heal, but if you are searching for a place to start with your journey to healing, please see the below tips and ideas to a better tomorrow.

• Give yourself a break. You need time to heal. It is okay not to be okay; to feel angry, sad, upset, numb, or scared, that’s normal.

•  Self-care is important at this time. You will need to learn to love yourself again, and that won’t happen overnight. Challenge the negative thoughts in your head.

•  Empower yourself to make decisions on your own. It’s certainly okay to ask for support and opinions of others, but only you can take charge of your own life.

•  Seeking counseling and therapy is a sign of strength. Asking for help is a step in the healing process.

•  Be open to surrounding yourself with other survivors in safe settings, like a support group. It certainly doesn’t have to be right away, but being a part of a group will show you that you are not alone. Even if you decide not to share, it can be empowering or comforting to hear other’s stories.

    All of the services, including trauma counseling services, that Pee Dee Coalition offers are completely free of charge. Ross works with the clients of Pee Dee Coalition because she wants to “help survivors find their true self and no longer live in fear.”

 

If you or someone you know is healing from abuse or assault, please contact Pee Dee Coalition at 843-664-4694 or the 24-hour crisis line at 800-273-1820. There is help. Pee Dee Coalition covers Florence, Darlington, Sumter, Marion, Dillon, Chesterfield, Marlboro, and Williamsburg Counties. Pee Dee Coalition is a member of the United Way.