Greetings. My name is Kara Red Hawk. I am of TsaLagi and Seminole descent. The name Red Hawk (Gigage Tawodi) was given to me by one of the sisters of the Wolf Lodge, a very dear friend of some years. I carry it with pride and affection. Peace, Hawk
I'm in northern BC...a mere hop skip and jump from Alaska. We don't grow roses too well here but we do have plenty of rain. We're close to the pole and at the Summer Solistice it doesn't really get dark at all; just fades to deep twilight for about an hour. Glorious! Love those long twilight hours where the western horizon turns a billion shades of lavender, violet, rose, sugar pink...fading to softest blue and then, slowly, to deep, dark blue bright with stars. Maybe I appreciate it all the more because we spend so many months in darkness.
In 1983, I contracted a disease which would not be diagnosed for almost 14 years. In 1997, my suspicions were confirmed: I was finally told that I had not lost my mind, that I truly was ill. I was told I have CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, aka CFS and, in Europe and parts of Canada, ME) and a closely-related condition, Fibromyalgia.
Since then, I have gotten to know many individuals in circumstances similar to my own. They come from every walk of life. Talented, intelligent, productive, they have had their lives and loves almost literally knocked out from under
them. Many have been abandoned by friends and family, including spouses. For a personal point of view on living with a chronic illness please see my page Commentary - A Question of Attitude.
CFIDS is now believed to be in large part determined by genetics; if a person has the genetic potential, and is exposed to a trigger, that person will develop CFIDS. If she or he is fortunate, this person can continue to function at some level, but the tragedy is that many do not. Many end up in wheelchairs, many are bedridden, unable to take care of themselves, unable, in some cases, to even feed themselves. Some die of complications.
Some...far too many...reach a point where they cannot endure the pain and helplessness another moment and die by their own hand, wreaking havoc in the hearts of those who love them. Red Hawk's Commentaries contains thoughts, ideas, and feelings by some others who have also been stricken with this disease. I encourage you to visit this page to get some insight into those emotions. Please check back here often as these commentaries will change frequently.
Many generous people have given of their skills, time and money to either research or advocacy on behalf of the millions of once productive individuals struck down by CFIDS and such related and often attendant diseases and conditions such as MCS, Fibromyalgia, and Gulf War Syndrome. I call these people the Patron Saints of CFIDS.
I have explored the World Wide Web and come across many wonderful sites and the equally wonderful individuals who designed them. I wish to acknowledge such "Patron Saints"
as Sue Boetcher, whose page, Listening to CFIDS features a variety of material, from news on the latest research development to humorous essays, poetry, and art work created by PWCs (Persons with CFIDS). I'd also like to acknowledge the
tremendous efforts of Sheryl Jefferies, whose page, CFIDS Pieces...To the
Puzzle always has something interesting to offer. Oh and another site I have found recently is Welcome to CFIDS Emergency Relief Services, Inc. founded by Doctor Elaine S. Katz. There is a lot of good information here for everyone.
If you would like to learn more about this disease, which at some point in your life may well affect someone you know and love, please visit these sites. You'll find them at least educational and often extremely entertaining as well.
Since present health conditions require that I spend a lot of time in the house, to keep me entertained, I have developed a passion for Genealogy. It's exciting...a cross between a who-dun-it and a jigsaw puzzle, and I derive a ridiculous amount of satisfaction every time I solve a mystery or fit another piece to the puzzle. My Family Portrait Gallery has a collection of my relatives that have been passed down through the generations. Be sure and take a look at my Mystery Ancestors page. If they look like they are related to you please send an email back to our Web Master and Wolf Lodge sister, Silver Wolf. When I first got serious about chasing down my ancestors some time ago, this lady and I were in the same Genealogy group. We started writing to each other back-channel...amd almost a year later, we accidentally discovered we were cousins! It's funny, too, because I recall thinking that if a person could choose their relatives, she'd be at the top of my list. At any rate, I would be very pleased to introduce my friend and cousin, Faye and her web site A Touch of Faith. Please drop over for a visit. She loves company too.
Another one of my past times is collecting quotes. I love to share them with everyone, so watch for my current selections here. One of my favorite quotes: "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." ~ (Anais Nin)
I was recently blessed with a beautiful new grand-daughter. I have given her the spirit name of Usdi Waya (Little Wolf). Please read A Prayer for Sarah which I wrote and dedicated to her along with the poem on that page. Speaking of writing poems, please pop over to visit Wait without delay.
I am honoured that you came to visit me here in the Wolf Lodge. Perhaps while here you would like to visit the Tribute to My Father page also? I have added some of my favorite links there as well. I have also added a page for my cousin Vicki as a dedication to her memory. Just recently I lost another dear family member. When you visit the page My Grandmother you will also find a beautiful poem dedicated to her memory that was written by my Wolf Lodge sister, Nokwisa Tawo'di. Thank you Star.
My hope is that you find your stay here enjoyable. Please return again soon and often.
Last Updated: December 21, 1998
Webmaster:
Soft Silver Wolf© 1993 The Way of Nature