Organization Reaches Out to People Living with Chronic Illness and Pain

Parker, CO – April 18, 2006 – Where Is God Ministries, a local organization that reaches out around the world to people living with chronic illness and pain will be sponsoring 2 exciting events on April 28^th and 30th. Founder and President, Wayne Connell will be joined by Connecticut physician and author of Being Sick Well, Dr. Jeffrey Boyd and recording artist, Debbie Milligan of Healing Wings Ministries.

On April 28^th Wayne and Dr. Boyd will be on KRKS Radio 94.7 for the Gino Geraci Show hosted by Bill Honsberger from 4:00-6:00 PM. At 6:30 PM Where Is God Ministries is sponsoring an evening of Music, Mocha & Mercy at the Steaming Bean Coffee Co and Lemstone Christian Stores in Parker (303.840-5688). The evening will begin with live music by Debbie Milligan, followed by presentations, book signing and a round table with Wayne and Dr. Boyd. On Sunday, April 30^th, Dr. Boyd will be the guest speaker at Faith Baptist Church of Parker (303.841.2273).

Where Is God Ministries was developed by Wayne Connell, because of his wife Sherri’s battle with illness. All of her life, Sherri was a very active, goal oriented person, but her health started to deteriorate when she was 14. Despite her struggles, Sherri loved to work, sing and dance in musicals, cheerlead, lift weights and ride her horse. She obtained 3 college degrees and was beginning her Master’s, when at the age of 27 she was stopped in her tracks with paralysis and debilitating symptoms.  

Barely able to even sit up, shower or get herself a meal, she was admitted into the hospital and diagnosed with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. With Sherri’s unstoppable track record, she planned to return to work and the stage to sing in her wheelchair. Despite her incredible determination, she never recovered from the extreme fatigue, cognitive dysfunctions, pain, dizziness and more that has kept her unable to even care for her own daily needs.

Regardless of the seriousness of Sherri's illness, people have had difficulty understanding how she could "look good" to them, even though she was very sick. Unfortunately, because of these misconceptions, people often assumed she was just being lazy or was not trying hard enough. For a goal oriented, talented, career driven person like Sherri, these notions were absolutely devastating. In fact, Sherri wanted her life back more than anyone as she continued to go from doctor to doctor, as well as try countless treatments, therapies and surgeries.

To help people better understand what she was going through, she began writing in her journal and giving people copies. One day, Wayne suggested putting them on the internet so she could just say, “check out the website.” Much to their surprise, the word spread around the globe as they received countless emails from people telling stories of how the site had helped their friends and family better understand and know how to be a source of encouragement. From the success of the first website, The Invisible Disabilities Advocate (www.MyIDA.org), Wayne founded Where Is God Ministries (www.WhereIsGod.net) which is joined by pastors and doctors, to help people find God’s strength amidst suffering. Sherri said, "Though I mourn the loss of being able to climb the ladder of my career or singing and dancing in musicals, I am thankful that Wayne has provided a platform for us to be a voice for others living with debilitating conditions!"

For more information: http://www.WhereIsGod.net/events.htm