A while ago we received the following inspiration from Jonnie Dale Lieberman. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Thank you Jonnie!

• Awareness - Doctors, dentists and holistic healers cannot be aware of every ailment under the sun. Promote and be an advocate for sharing knowledge among lay persons and professionals. Respect professionals who say that they don't have a diagnosis and be thankful that they are continuing to take tests. Maintain a calm and persevering attitude.
• Support Groups - Continue supporting one another in your homes, in your local community, and on a national and international level. There are valuable support systems already in place for folks with Pemphigus. There is a Newsletter, a Foundation that began in 1994 , an online support network, a website and local support groups. There is even an annual conference.
• Find methods of providing for caregivers. They need assistance and care too. Caregivers should try not to take their loved ones' moodiness personally. A common symptom of prednisone is erratic behavior.
• Health Insurance - Understand the need for your family's protection and for the protection of others. Support communities that support healthcare for all. If you need to apply for disability, apply early and persevere, it can take years. Asking for assistance might be difficult, as is working your way through the maze of paperwork.
• Oral Hygiene - Clean teeth after all meals. If anything feels or responds in an unusual manner, check on it.
• Check your body regularly for unusual characteristics and inform others. Encourage family members and friends to do the same. Support creative methods of honoring the body's intuitive ways of healing, especially with developing scabs. (i.e. Don't pick scabs or pop blisters. Find a way to avoid this that works for you.)
• Promote Positive Healing Energy Everywhere - Be kind and patient, we've all got our own internal battles going on. Go inside and find your answers. They are within you.
• Take care of yourself with affirmations, quiet meditation, good food and good company. Ask for help with anxiety-producing activities, paying bills, etc. Journal your drug dosage and responses. You may wish to include your emotions.
• Eat regularly planned meals in a relaxed environment. When I was at y worst, home-made soups, tofu, fresh green veggies, herbal teas, filtered water and juice were my lifesavers. Baked apples have been a deliciously sweet nutritious dessert. Avoid acidic foods (tomatoes and orange juice) and alcohol and caffeine.
• Smoothies (fresh fruit, soy milk or dairy milk, soy protein powder mixed in a blender) are great for taking medications with, and they provide daily nutrition, too. They can also satisfy a sweet tooth. Carry a wide bendable staw with you when you can't eat solid food.
• Daily vitamins really help, including a good multi-vitamin. Be careful of herbal supplements that may affect the immune system (i.e. Echinacea).
• Cleanliness - Daily baths, steams or sauna are relaxing and cleanse the soul in and out. When I couldn't use my regular shampoo because it stung too much I tried J&J Baby Extra Sensitive Shampoo. No dyes, no perfumes, and it worked wonders.
• Walk as often as you can, for as long as you can. Sometimes it can be difficult to be motivated or to work through the aching joints, but try to every day. A little bit of sun is OK, but too much is not good for pemphigus or people using prednisone.