In my research I have found that holistic modalities honoring a patient’s needs from a physical, emotional and spiritual perspective are quietly available at a growing number of medical facilities in the United States. Reiki is ever more popular because of its energetic balancing technique that works to bring harmony to the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies.
                                                  
The word is derived from two Japanese words REI for universal and KI for life force energy.  Universal Life Force Energy flows through all living things and is what keeps us alive. The natural healing energy that flows through the hands of a Reiki practitioner is very powerful and concentrated and activates the recipient’s natural ability to heal itself. Reiki goes to the deepest level where many illnesses originate. Some physicians believe that illness is caused primarily through the mental and emotional states of a person. Reiki helps to create a state of balance.

I personally have practiced and received Reiki treatments and have found them to provide feelings of profound relaxation and sense of well being. So my thought is why is the MEDICAL COMMUNITY reticent about boldly announcing and rejoicing in this and other complimentary modalities?

 For a listing of hospitals that offer Reiki log onto www.bioenergyassociates.com/reikihospitals.hmt
 
Joan Leanos, Vice President
Spirited Sisters, Inc
Home of the Original Healing Threads

My 84 year old mother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. In addition to all the information I have for cancer, I can now add all sorts of information about this awful disease. She is living at home with my 85 year old father.

I recently went to a large department store to find clothing for her. My mother always took great pride in her appearance and would never go anywhere without make-up or a nice dress or slacks; hair always combed and neat. Well, those days are over. When we go to the doctor's office she insists on wearing these old khakis, 3 sizes too big and held together with a safety pin. She had always enjoyed shopping and looking nice, but can no longer do that. So I went to find appropriate clothing for her with which to attend doc appointments, etc.. I am just amazed in this day and age that someone has not designed something for people with conditions such as my mother's to wear. Something stylish, something perhaps that had been modified to accommodate her needs. Something like our Healing Threads. Alas, there is nothing! She now proudly wears our Healing Threads. Why is it that the fashion industry has zillions of designs for well people, but design nothing for the un-well???? Do they think dignity and modesty are things necessary or due only the well? Where is their compassion and empathy? My mother would be horrified if she saw herself dressed in those awful khakis and other "old lady" clothes! She is a proud woman, always was, and the fact that she no longer can decide what to wear and how to dress herself is no reason to relegate her to awful clothing. I did manage to find some slacks and tailored blouses that I know she would like and were of a much smaller size, and she lit up like a Christmas tree when I brought them to her. I helped her dress in each of the 3 outfits I found and she modeled them for me and my father.

Perhaps Spirited Sisters Inc will design another line of clothing for Alzheimer' s patients. Lord knows, from what I have been reading, there will be many more in the coming "Boomer" years!

There are medical situations we encounter in which we may have a choice as to what we wear.  Just because we are technically labeled a “patient” does not mean we want to look sick.  Take for instance how we at Spirited Sisters like to “dress up” for our annual mammogram screenings.  For us, our fashionable and comfortable “mammo-glam” outfits as we like to call them, feel more dignified than having to wear an unflattering, generic hospital Johnny for the procedure!

In the spirit of patient empowerment, the women who work here at Spirited Sisters like to take their own stylish Original Healing Threads garments with them when they get their annual screening mammograms.  I wear the Elegant top so I can wear it to and from the appointment without having to change at the imaging facility.  I usually receive compliments on the lovely top and people are surprised to find out that it has special hidden features that allow it to be easily opened for the procedure.

Trish and Joan both like to bring their attractive spa-style Lilly Treatments Robes and change into them while they are at the appointment.  Both women enjoy the feel and comfort of the cozy micro fiber fabric, and both women like the fact that they are in control of what they wear, and are able to choose the right size for the sake of modesty.

Indeed, we at Spirited Sisters see there is a “fashion revolution” taking place in the field of patient recovery wear, and patient comfort and fashion are becoming hot topics.  Harvard Medical Alumni Bulletin’s “Fashion Issue” (Winter 2007, Volume 80, Number 3) had an article written by Ann Marie Menting entitled, “Sidebar: Johnny Come Lately, A short history of breezy backsides” which discusses the history of the hospital Johnny and showcases a couple of medical centers that have redesigned their patient gowns for greater patient dignity and modesty.  We were thrilled that our Original Healing Threads story was also included in the article.

What do you think?  Would you rather own your very own mammography gown and bring it with you to the appointments or would you prefer to use the standard generic gowns that most facilities provide?  Also, we’d love to know if you’ve had an exceptional experience with a fashionable patient garment at a mammography facility. And lastly, what do you think of the concept of “The Fashionable Patient?”  Would you like to own your own patient gown?