People are Awestruck

I view my role of emotional supporter for cancer-impacted patients and their families as an honor; being there to walk beside people in their time of greatest fear, questioning, and, ultimately, acceptance.

Strength comes in all forms. I see it most clearly when clients realize that it truly is OK to ask for and accept, help. People are awestruck when Living Journeys resources start showing up; clients weep with gratitude in the recounting of the gifts received:

• the food that gets delivered by professional chefs;

• the rides given to and from appointments;

• the group and individual counseling;

• the love shown by a supportive community who will dedicate their ski, run, or golf game to the cause;

• the cross country skiing, or summer camp, or peer dinners for the youth and children;

• the people who show up to clean the house, deliver the mail, water the plants, or do the laundry.

Seventeen years ago, both of my parents were diagnosed with stage 4 cancers within 24 hours of each other. I was sitting through a high-risk pregnancy with twins so could fly to New York State to help them only during my second trimester. It was an awful feeling of helplessness. The resources in my parents\’ town were limited and, with them both being sick, too complicated to pursue and manage. We had to rely on the neighbors. A lot.

Since that time, I have expanded my counseling practice to be more available as a Living Journeys therapist.

Nothing is more beautiful than the opening of the human heart. Working with people impacted by cancer seems to bring that opening to fruition.

I am honored and enriched to be a part of it.

– Jordan O’Neill, MA, LPC, NCC,

Crested Butte Resident and Therapist