Lisa Copen
Lisa's works have been published in periodicals such as Just Between Us and Faith Writers Magazine, and books including God Allow U-Turns. Lisa is a sought-after speaker and has been a guest of radio programs Decision Today, Family Life and Joni and Friends.
Lisa loves being an entrepreneur online and has taken her knowledge of internet and book marketing to a new level with www.scrapbookmyadoption.com where she designs overlay transparencies and www.youcansellmorebooks.com where she posts daily blog tips for book marketers and is releasing multiple "50 Ways to ____" for book marketing and promotional ideas.
She resides in San Diego with her husband and son, and has lived with degenerative rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since 1993.
Visit her web site at http://www.restministries.org and sign up for the free online ezine to receive the first 40 pages of her book "Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend."
Articles by Lisa Copen
August 16, 2010
If you were to approach someone on the street and ask them to tell you the difference between illness and health, you would likely receive a quick explanation about how health was the process of one's body working in the way in which it was designed to work, and illness is the absence of some intricate and essential factor in the body so that it can work most effectively.
April 09, 2009
Adoption can be scary. Yes, those who adopt are well aware of those fears. If you know someone who is adopting, be a good friend and don't remind her of those fears by asking questions that will simply make her stay awake all night with worry.
April 29, 2010
You've just been diagnosed with a chronic illness, so where to do you turn? Researching on the internet can be overwhelming so here are 5 tips to get you started in living successfully with a chronic illness during those first few weeks.
April 29, 2010
When you are ready to start a small group in your church or community it can be tempting to follow all the steps. Studies have shown however, that the leaders who pray more frequently have a more successful group than the leaders who spend more time in the logistics of preparation.
April 29, 2010
Millions of people use Twitter each day and it can be a useful tool in spreading the word about a health cause you care about. Here are some specific steps to take to be most effective in your outreach and awareness efforts.
April 16, 2010
As you start to plan for your support group environment, one of the first things that you will need to decide on is who you would like to have be a part of your group.
For example:
- Will this group before men, women, adults, and/or teenagers?
- Will your group serve those have recently bee...
October 11, 2009
Can you talk about your illness too much to your spouse? Yes! Learn how to vent to the one you love the most, while still keeping the romance alive by not sharing about each ache and pain you have.
October 28, 2008
When you live with an invisible illness oftentimes friends can believe that your illness isn't as serious as it actually is--or that you are faking it all together. If you have relationships that are difficult because of the lack of understanding, can they withstand the burden of your illness?
February 24, 2009
Despite the fact that we know illness or cancer can occur at any age, when someone in his or her twenties or thirties is diagnosed with a chronic condition, our first response is to say, "You're too young to be that sick." These may seem like words of encouragement, but contributor, Lisa Copen shares what it feels like to be on the receiving end of them.
April 09, 2009
If your friend is adopting it's natural for you to have questions, but be cautious about what you ask and how it´s worded. A little understanding of adoption etiquette helps a great deal.
October 28, 2008
Why is fixing dinner so tiring? Or maybe the question is, why is it so difficult to come up with some ideas for dinner time? Here are 5 ideas for fast easy meals when you are feeling wiped out.
October 28, 2008
Planning a Christian women's retreat takes a time to accommodate the different needs of the women, but too often those with physical limitations are overlooked completely. With a few adjustments of practicalities as well as awareness of what someone with an illness may have challenges with, and your retreat will be life-changing for many women involved.
September 08, 2008
Twenty free online seminars are offered by National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week on a large variety of topics. If you miss it, don't worry! Archives are avialable at www.invisibleillness.com
September 08, 2008
Finances are deeping impacted by chronic health conditions, but what is a person to do? Even those with insurance find themselves overwhelmed with the costs, and too tired to face the red tape. A few experts in this field will give some wonderful advice during their workshops hosted by National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, Sept 8-14, 2008
September 04, 2008
Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA live with a chronic illness and about 96% of the illnesses are invisible.* Rest Ministries, Inc., the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill, hopes to increase awareness and provide encouragement through their annual outreach event, National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 8-14, 2008
September 05, 2008
With nearly 1 in 2 Americans living with a chronic illness, the odds are that a chronic, most likely invisible, illness impacts someone you care about. They can find hope and support during National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, Sept 8-12 and everyone is encouraged to blog about it to help spread the word.
September 04, 2008
Living with an invisible illness can cause heartache and bitterness when one feels no one understands the significance of the illness. Invisible Illness Week provides that validation that people with invisible diseases often seek.
September 04, 2008
Traveling expenses, hard beds, peers wearing too much perfume, long treks to conference rooms, and exhausting days make up the typical conference--all which make it nearly impossible for the chronically ill to attend events where they can find encouragement and education. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week's "virtual" conference online is more than just practical. It's necessary.
September 02, 2008
Invisible Illness Week is offering 20 free seminars via Blog Talk Radio, September 8-12, 2008 at www.invisibleillnessconference.com . This "virtual conference" is the perfect choice for those who are ill and can rarely travel to such events. Three workshops specifically will discuss college and career options when you are chronically ill.
August 19, 2008
Bloggers join together around the world to help promote National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. Nearly 96% of illnesses are invisible.
August 04, 2008
Leading a chronic illness support group can have its ups and downs. Here are four challenges a leader may discover, and how she can prepare for them.
May 11, 2008
Get an instant download of 200 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend from "Beyond Casseroles" by Lisa Copen when you signup for HopeNotes ezine at Rest Ministries, http://www.restministries.org/res-ezine_ill.htm. Lisa is the founder of Invisible Illness Awareness Week
March 03, 2008
Reaching out to the chronically ill doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming.
February 13, 2008
It's normal to feel moments of anger when you live with a chronic illness. It's when the anger stage turns into a lifestyle that one needs to consider how to use their anger for positive changes, avoiding the bitterness that can occur.
February 02, 2008
Depite our belief that only the elderly become ill, nearly 1 in 2 people in the US have a chronic condition, 60% of the people who suffer with daily pain or illness are between the ages of 18 and 64. Churches are well-equipped to reach out to those with acute illnesses or surgeries, but when it comes to chronic conditions, these people are often left misunderstood and alone with very little practical assistance or emotional support.
January 23, 2008
Did you skip resolutions or did you already forget them? Donīt sweat it! When life is so unpredictable, as it is when you live with a chronic illness, it can be hard to set New Yearīs resolutions. Read about how you can make some smart choices.
January 14, 2008
As I sit here working on this article my 4-year-old son hangs out with me with a little cold and fever. I keep telling him he needs some medicine but all he has said since he got out of bed is "I'm better now. I'm all better." How much does our attitude effect how well we deal with our illness and our level of happiness?
January 14, 2008
Nearly 1 in 2 people live with a chronic illness in the U.S. which means that a lot of marriages are disrupted by this uninvited third party of illness, often including mental illness as well. Seventy-five percent of marriages end in divorce. But romantic ideas don't have to be used just on Valentine's Day.
January 14, 2008
Adoptive moms often want the perfect baby book for their child; one that explains the whole adoption experience, the emotions, and the details. Too often it becomes overwhelming and something that is put off until there is "time." A fast adoption scrapbook album is needed so the child can enjoy reading his or her story from when they are a toddler.
January 14, 2008
Trying to create an adoption life book for a child when you have little information can seem difficult, but with just a few explanations of how to write and what to add, you´ll have a beautiful adoption scrapbook album in no time!
January 14, 2008
Every adopted child needs a scrapbook or life book about how they came to be a part of your family. With these tips you can have one done in no time for them to enjoy now.
January 15, 2008
As more mothers are coping with a chronic illness, it's helpful for her friends to know what to say and not to say, do and not do, to help her feel welcome and understood.