Shannon Combs, Program Director
As a speech pathologist working with adults, many people have crossed my path with needs that fall outside the scope of their insurance coverage, no services available that meet their specific needs, or they are unaware that services are available to them or how to access them. I remember what it felt like to navigate those dark waters, often tossed around with no real answers in sight. |
My name is Shannon Combs, and I have worn many “hats” in my life: pastor’s wife, boy-mom (x3!), piano teacher, and adult student among others. But one “hat” I wore starting at the age of twenty-seven was not one of my choosing at that time in my life… caregiver to an aging parent. In the blink of an eye, I became part of the sandwich generation: the group of adults raising young children at the same time they are caring for aging parents. And it was SO hard!! In that season of my life, I became acutely aware that often resources are available, but individuals with complex medical needs and their families do not know where those resources are or how to access them. I felt lost and overwhelmed on a dark sea of frustration and fear, not sure how to navigate the journey or where to look for help and guidance. These emotions and personal experiences were the seeds for Beacon of Hope.
Fast forward to 2020: Amid the early stages of the pandemic, an elderly patient of mine had a stroke in early 2020 affecting his speech and language skills. Due to restrictions on gathering in public, combined with living alone here in Hot Springs hundreds of miles from family, he was unable to interact with anyone consistently to rebuild his communication skills. His story was the catalyst that motivated me to do something. His story struck a nerve with me having cared for my mother for over eighteen years and made me ask, “What do people who don’t have family or a strong support system do when major health changes occur?” and “What could I do to guide someone going through a tough medical situation knowing what I know now from personal experience?” As a speech pathologist working with adults, many other people have crossed my path with needs that fall outside the scope of their insurance coverage, there are no services are available that meet their specific needs, or they are unaware that services are available to them or how to access them. People who, like me, are navigating in dark waters, often tossed around with no real answers in sight.
I began to meet with Nicki Sessions, COO of Anchored 619 in Allegiance, and others and shared my vision for providing support groups for individuals with a variety of diagnoses (i.e. stroke, Parkinson Disease, cancer, etc.). From that we determined the scope of need was greater than just support groups. We first saw a vast need for information access – a hub where individuals with complex medical issues and their families could easily access a database of resources. Next, we found an incredible lack of advocacy, support, and education for these patients. Finally, we determined a need for connection to funding sources for those needs that fall outside what insurance covers. It was there that BOH was born – a community-based network of resources and information that shines as a light in the darkness to adults needing help.
I have big dreams for Beacon of Hope. Dreams of an interconnected community that provides hope and guidance to others on similar journeys. And it is my hope that others will join me in shining the love of Christ to Hot Springs… and who knows, maybe even across Arkansas, too!
Fast forward to 2020: Amid the early stages of the pandemic, an elderly patient of mine had a stroke in early 2020 affecting his speech and language skills. Due to restrictions on gathering in public, combined with living alone here in Hot Springs hundreds of miles from family, he was unable to interact with anyone consistently to rebuild his communication skills. His story was the catalyst that motivated me to do something. His story struck a nerve with me having cared for my mother for over eighteen years and made me ask, “What do people who don’t have family or a strong support system do when major health changes occur?” and “What could I do to guide someone going through a tough medical situation knowing what I know now from personal experience?” As a speech pathologist working with adults, many other people have crossed my path with needs that fall outside the scope of their insurance coverage, there are no services are available that meet their specific needs, or they are unaware that services are available to them or how to access them. People who, like me, are navigating in dark waters, often tossed around with no real answers in sight.
I began to meet with Nicki Sessions, COO of Anchored 619 in Allegiance, and others and shared my vision for providing support groups for individuals with a variety of diagnoses (i.e. stroke, Parkinson Disease, cancer, etc.). From that we determined the scope of need was greater than just support groups. We first saw a vast need for information access – a hub where individuals with complex medical issues and their families could easily access a database of resources. Next, we found an incredible lack of advocacy, support, and education for these patients. Finally, we determined a need for connection to funding sources for those needs that fall outside what insurance covers. It was there that BOH was born – a community-based network of resources and information that shines as a light in the darkness to adults needing help.
I have big dreams for Beacon of Hope. Dreams of an interconnected community that provides hope and guidance to others on similar journeys. And it is my hope that others will join me in shining the love of Christ to Hot Springs… and who knows, maybe even across Arkansas, too!