May is National Mobility, Vasculitis and Foster Care Awareness Month Dr. Diane Dike has all Three Covered

Press Release
Vail, Colorado - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Key to Happiness and Transforming Lives!

We all need a hero! Someone who takes time to care, reaches out and inspires us. In spite of overwhelming challenges that someone provides incentive and makes a difference.

That someone is, Dr. Diane Dike. She has the only foster/adoption home available in Eagle County providing a safe place for children to heal. She's been nominated a "Local Hero for National Mobility Awareness Month."

A local hero is defined as someone who "Volunteers, Educates, Advocates, Achieves and Perseveres." Volunteering 24/7, Diane does all that and more. 

In spite of a painful blood disease that she has suffered with for over 24 years, she's never given up. She has so much enthusiasm for helping others that she makes the energizer bunny look like a sloth. 

“Life is a roller coaster, and we’re riding it with arms stretched high!” Dike said. "No one ever said life would be easy but we can still live a life of impact, purpose and victory if we think of others instead of ourself. And focusing on all we do have instead of what we do not. It's the key to happiness for me." 

She founded the world’s first Cryoglobulinemia Vasculitis Organization (CVO).  CVO's mission is to champion advocacy programs regarding the care, treatment, research, diagnosis and the use of service dogs for those suffering from cryoglobulinemia and associated conditions. CVO educates patients, healthcare professionals and the public to bring about greater awareness and to help provide support to patients, their families, and those who love them.

She rescued a broken Italian greyhound (IG) from a local hospital, nurtured her back to life and now they save each other daily. Gracie is the world's first IG service dog helping a woman live with cryoglobulinemia. Diane hasn't been hospitalized overnight since they became partners 11 years ago. 

Diane is regularly featured on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Mystery Diagnosis TV show in an episode called, ‘The Women Whose Legs Turned Black.’ 

Miracles Happen Diane’s legs were almost amputated when they filled with blood, swelled and turned black, but a miracle occurred. Her legs returned to normal size and color, however due to the resulting damage and permanent need to keep her extremities warm and elevated, she now uses a wheelchair with special leg extensions.

Diane is unable to drive more than a few miles at a time until she has a vehicle that's been modified with hand controls. If she wins, she will get a modified minivan. 

“No matter what I'm so grateful! Being more independent is a BIG goal for me personally as well as for our outreach work. The van will be used for speaking events, to run the foster/adoption children to appointments and so much more!"

Over 18 million people in North America are living with mobility issues. This is your chance to change Diane’s life and give her the opportunity to help more children. 

Volunteers Make A Difference
You can make a difference, just like Diane who is triumphing in the face of adversity.

Laurie Thomas, a volunteer for 4 years who lives in Arizona nominated Diane by submitting one of her YouTube awareness videos. Laurie is inspired to volunteer for Diane’s nonprofit organizations Second Chance with Saving Grace (SCwSG) and CVO. 

“Diane isn’t just a local hero, she is an international one,” says Laurie choking back the tears. “It’s amazing how she overcomes the challenges of living with disability and still helps people who are hurting, broken animals and children in need. I want to encourage everyone to vote for Diane, she is truly deserving of this honor.” Laurie was a school teacher, like Diane, but suffered a stroke yet Diane offered her hope and possibilities by welcoming her as a volunteer with the SCwSG/CVO team.

Brokenness
Diane born on her mother Joan's birthday, lost her Feb. 18, 2012, to Multiple Myeloma cancer. Two days later, Diane's best friend lost her battle with Huntington's Disease. Feeling sad and alone, Diane thought more intensely about her efforts to help children,

especially orphaned.

She and Paul have no children of their own, but she spent 15 years as a professor and school teacher, teaching all grades and subjects to students who were severely disabled, blind, deaf, autistic, down syndrome, cocaine babies, severely abused and juvenile delinquents.

In all her spare time, she coached swimming and track and continued her education earning a Ph.D. in human services and counseling psychology.

In November 2012, she talked with Paul about becoming foster parents. Paul is a sensible man and had many excellent reasons why this was not a good idea. Not the least of which was Diane's health and of course finances.

They prayed about it and one day Paul finally said, "OK, go for it!"

So they did.

They say it's been everything they thought it would be: Time-intensive, painful, costly, emotional, wonderful and memorable while filling their home with life!

"One day when I'm gone, our children, those we foster for a while or those we give forever homes to, will know their mom loved them, and they will pass that transforming love on," Diane said.

Voting closes on May 9, 2014 at midnight. 

Diane needs your help to get votes in. Voting is open daily to all. One vote per a day with an extra vote awarded if you answer a disability question correctly. The top three winners will be awarded a minivan. With a little help from her friends, Diane and her family can win! 

Tax deductible donations are always welcome. 

Contact: Dr. Diane Dike

P.O. Box 673, Eagle, CO 81631

303-225-2717; www.DianeDike.org

Click Here to Vote Now

The Dikes are unable to post pictures of the children in foster/adoption care for their protection and privacy.

Crop Scrapbooking Fundraiser for hurting kids and animals!

Help raise money for Second Chance with Saving Grace's foster/adoption program by scrapbooking.

For Immediate Release Everywhere - To raise money for its foster/adoption program, Second Chance with Saving Grace is reaching out to people with a unique form of self-help – scrapbooking.

"Many people are facing tough times," said Dr. Diane Dike, co-founder with her husband, Paul, of SCwSG, a nonprofit organization that helps hurting people and animals. "Scrapbooking is a healthy way to connect with friends and family, lifting our spirits."

At a recent SCwSG retreat, volunteers talked about the many benefits of scrapbooking, including memory support, increasing self-esteem, self-expression, bringing friends and family closer, and offering a break from the stress of everyday living.

"We found taking the time to scrapbook renewed our friendships, released anxiety, and offered a therapeutic way of working through life's challenges," Dike said. "We also think it makes a fun way to raise funds while helping hurting people and animals."

SCwSG has teamed with Prima Marketing, Inc., of California for this current fundraiser. Prima's scrapbooking premium products and packaging are environmentally responsible, with most flowers and embellishments acid- and lignin-free, and using other renewable resources, Intra said.

"SCwSG is a perfect fit and the place we want to send help," said Pom Intra owner of Prima.

For a minimum donation of $200, people will get a Prima Crop Kit that retails for $500. Each group or individual that participates will receive at least: 240 sheets of scrapbooking paper, two big bags of flower petals, one roll of lace; 20 crystal centers, 20 crystal swirls and a free PDF file to help promote their event.

"This fundraiser will help us raise money for a much needed van and playground for our foster/adoption program," Dike said. "So relax, de-stress and cherish your memories while helping hurting people and animals."

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To participate, send a check made out to SCwSG to: Michael Stephens, Prima Marketing, Inc., 5564 Edison Ave., Chino, CA 91710-6936. For questions, a consultant's help or more details please contact Michael Stephens at: 909-627-5532 ext. 203.

Second Chance with Saving Grace is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 with a desire to help others and make their dreams come true. After rescuing Gracie, an injured and homeless Italian Greyhound, Diane trained her to become her service dog. Gracie helps her overcome and more safely live with cryoglobulinemia vasculitis, a life-threatening blood disease. Diane shares their incredible story at events, on radio and TV, and in magazines, blogs, newspapers and other media to raise awareness and to connect with people who want to help hurting people and animals. She was featured on Discovery Health's and Oprah's OWN "Mystery Diagnosis" as "The Woman Whose Legs Turned Black." Her inspirational story continues to reach children, adults and animal lovers of all ages.

To learn more about Second Chance with Saving Grace, to schedule an interview or to become a volunteer, please visit www.DianeDike.org or e-mail: DianeDike@aol.com.

Contact Information: Name: Dr. Diane Dike founder/president of Second Chance with Saving Grace, Inc. Telephone: 303-225-2717 e-mail: DianeDike@aol.com

Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

Hebrews 13:8
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Psalm 103:17-18  (NKJV)
"But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.”

We live in an ever changing world. It wasn't so long go that if you wanted to see someone you had to travel to where they were. Now all we need to have is a internet access, a computer or smart phone, and Skype or a similar program. It brings a whole new meaning to "Reach out and touch someone"! Governments change, nations leadership changes, stocks, world economy, and weather. We change jobs or careers, move, buy new cars, furniture, clothing and shoes. It seems as if nothing in our lives is constant. We enjoy variety when it comes to food, clothing, cars, television show, and music. We do not like variety when it involves things we had counted on to remain in our lives such as our job or home, those types of changes bring stress.

God is unchanging! He is the same yesterday, today and forever! The words He spoke to the prophets and to the apostles He speaks to you today. His words of encouragement and promise are meant for each of us today! His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and restoration are still available to all who will believe and ask! What a comfort to know that in this ever changing world there is a solid Rock upon which we can stand, a Fortress we can hide in! Great is God's faithfulness!

Father You are unchanging! You are still God! You can still supply our every need, calm our every fear and dry our every tear! You still answer prayers and bless our lives with wonderful gifts! You change the seasons and keep each planet and star in place! I thank You and praise You O God my Father for all of the gifts You have given me, especially the gift of salvation! Continue to transform me into Your likeness! I pray in Jesus unchanging name, amen.

Our Foster/Adoption Home Story - May is Foster Care Awareness Month!

Adoption means you grew in your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy. –Author unknown 

To be "mother" to someone who needs me means more now than ever. On February 18, 2010, my mother passed away and I realized how much I'd lost. My Father went to meet my Mother after a 15 year battle with Parkinson's disease on June 12, 2013. As I review memories one thing rings true, they loved me. 

Two days after Mom died my best friend Jan died and as I mourned, I began to think more intensely about children who are orphaned, need to be adopted or need foster care. Although I have no children of my own, I've never let that stop me from helping as many as possible. During more than twelve years as a professor and school teacher, teaching all grades and subjects to regular and special ed students which included severely disabled, blind, deaf, autistic, down syndrome, cocaine babies, severally abused, juvenile delinquents, while coaching swimming and track offered me many momentous experiences. 

Today, I continue reaching out with hope and encouragement through our book's, speaking events, singing, and leading an amazing team of international volunteers through our nonprofit, Second Chance with Saving Grace-helping hurting people and animals. I've babysat since I was eleven and earned a Ph.D. in Human Services and Counseling Psychology while growing through difficult times that included chronic illness, divorce and almost having my legs amputated. These experiences continue to motivate me to try to help as many people as possible and to have a significant and lasting relationship with children.

I spoke to Paul about my consistent desire to provide a safe place for broken children to heal through foster care and adoption, in November of 2010. Paul gave a long list of why this wasn’t a good idea. Most of the reasons were based on fear: fear that I wasn’t healthy enough; fear of the financial burden; and most significantly, fear of the lifestyle changes required to be a parent. I wasn’t deterred and did what I always do when confronted with the unknown: I prayed.

One day Paul came home and said, “Okay, go for it! I can see it will be more harmful to you not to try than any of my reasons why we shouldn’t.” He’d talked to friends and it was obvious that God had worked on his heart. He was now excited to share his love of the outdoors with hurting kids. 

We found out that there wasn't a foster home available in our county and neighboring counties so we began our certification process immediately. Since April 2011, we've been officially offering a safe place for broken hearts to heal in our home. It has been time-intensive, costly and emotion-filled. Our faith is keeping us strong, courageous and able to work through the ups and downs that family life brings. Our home is bursting with healthy family memories, working through consequences and overcoming challenges while offering hope, joy, and love. 

One day when I’m gone, my children, those I foster for a while or those we give forever homes, will know THEIR Mom loved them, and they will be sure to pass that transforming love on.

As of today, we've had over 15 foster children, we've adopted 4 and have guardianship of 2.  We've had the middle of the night children and one who came covered in blood. We are SO thankful for your help collecting items for all ages, hobbies, and backgrounds.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers! 

Life is a roller coaster and we are riding it with arms stretched high! -Diane Dike, Ph.D.

Every child has a Love Kit, Blanket and Bear

waiting to welcome them home!

Drop off donations at the Eagle Headquarters ANYTIME. 

or Mail items/donations to: 

SCwSG/Diane Dike 

PO 673 

Eagle, CO 81631 

Our SCwSG mission is to help hurting people and animals and provide opportunities for volunteers to do the same while using their gifts and talents to live a life of impact and purpose. All with a heart to help are welcome. We offer a safe place for everyone to be a part of a family that cares and is making a difference.

Our foster/adoption Home We are a safe place for little hearts to heal! When Paul and Diane found out that there are approx. 6,800 foster children in Colorado and 550 needing adoption AND that there was not a Foster Home available in their County they immediately made plans to get re-certified, ready to open their hearts and home.   

Duties and Responsibilities  There are nearly half a million young people living in foster care in America. The goal is to return the children to their homes but when that is not possible they need long-term care and/or adoption. It's been an intense process. Duties include: parental guidance/support, face to face with CASA volunteers, social workers and guardian's, upkeep of CPR + First Aid training, daily journals, Love & Logic training, they've passed several background checks, have a bed and dresser for every child; they are prepared for: face to face time with birth parents, addressing medical and dental needs, transportation to and from activities, school, medical or therapeutic appointments, participation in treatment decisions, creating clear and consistent behavioral boundaries, providing financial, emotional and educational support, providing meals, clothing... and a stable, consistent, culturally sensitive and nurturing home environment.  Wow!

Outreach Wish List Ages we have at this time 

* Gift Cards or Monthly Donors/Mentor Buddies

* Bibles, Christian/Educational videos/books/games

* Musical Instruments

* Bike locks

*** Vehicle - (Minivan) ... so we can take care of more children.  
Help to collect used or new items is appreciated!! (This list updated 10-29-17)

SCwSG celebrates National Foster Care and Adoption Month by raising awareness of the needs of children and youth served by the foster care system. Feel free to share our Foster Care story by linking to this page from your social sites. We can all celebrate and honor foster families who open their homes and hearts to children in need while also reflecting on the resilience of the more than 2 million foster care alumni living in our country today.

Stay Strong & Courageous!

Paul, Gracie, Diane & the SCwSG Volunteer Family

Enjoy pictures on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianeDike

Paul and Diane appeared on "Mystery Diagnosis" TV "The Woman Whose Legs Turned Black" Oprah's OWN and Discovery Health 

CLICK NOW to WATCH all THREE PARTS on DianeDike.org

Introduction to Diane's Second Chance with Saving Grace Outreach

Meet SCwSG Team Member Trisha Barton 04/26 by Dr Diane Dike | Blog Talk Radio

Meet SCwSG Team Member Trisha Barton 04/26 by Dr Diane Dike | Blog Talk Radio

Amazing Interview!

Why we want to adopt and provide foster care. By Dr. Diane Dike

Adoption means you grew in your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy. –Author unknown 

To be "mother" to someone who needs me means more now than ever. On February 18, 2010, my mother passed away and I realized how much I 'd lost. As I review memories one thing rings true, she loved me. 

Although I have no children of my own, I've never let that stop me from helping as many as possible especially during my twelve years of teaching severely disabled, juvenile delinquents, special and physical education, and coaching sports. I continue reaching out with hope and encouragement through our book's, speaking events, singing, leading our team of international volunteers through our nonprofit, Second Chance with Saving Grace that helps hurting people and animals. I've babysat since I was eleven and earned a Ph.D. in Human Services and Counseling Psychology while growing through difficult times that included chronic illness, divorce and almost having my legs amputated. These experiences continue to motivate me to have a significant and lasting relationship with children.

My husband, Paul, and I were certified to be foster parents 11 years ago, but with moving, travel plans, and life commitments, the timing didn’t line up. I spoke to Paul about my remaining desire to provide a safe place for broken children to heal and about adopting if the opportunity arose in November of 2010. Paul gave a long list about why this wasn’t a good idea. Most of the reasons were based on fear: fear that I wasn’t healthy enough; fear of the financial burden; and most significantly, fear of the lifestyle changes required to be a parent. I wasn’t deterred and did what I always do when confronted with the unknown: I prayed.

One day Paul came home and said, “Okay, go for it! I can see it will be more harmful for you not to try than any of my reasons why we shouldn’t.” He’d talked to friends and it was obvious that God had worked on his heart. He was now excited to share his love of the outdoors with hurting kids. 

The process has been time-intensive, costly and emotion-filled, but we are ready. Our faith will keep us strong, courageous and able to work through the ups and downs. Our hearts and loving arms are open to a home bursting with healthy family memories that will offer a lifetime of faith, hope, joy and love. And one day when I’m gone, my children will know THEIR Mom loved them, and they will be sure to pass that love on.

Every child will have a Love Kit, Blanket and Bear

waiting to welcome them home!

Drop off donations at the Eagle Headquarters ANYTIME. 
Mail items to: 

SCwSG 

PO 673 

Eagle, CO 81631 

THANK YOU! We have many items on our wish list. Most importantly, we hope to find a Vehicle - to fit 8 or more, (Minivan, SUV, Van ~ type) ...  Help collecting used or new items is appreciated!!

Stay Strong & Courageous!

Paul, Gracie, Diane & the SCwSG Volunteer Team

Enjoy pictures on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeDike