The concept for The Shelter for Synchronistic Healing, Inc. evolved when founder Merry Citoli returned from Costa Rica with a life threatening illness.  Modern American medicine resulted in five non-diagnoses and numerous misdiagnoses.  The resultant effect of deteriorating medical conditions and the inability to work left her at life’s edge, in addition to economic and personal disaster.  Specifically too thin to move and no means of support whatsoever; in essence a death sentence.

The Shelter for Synchronistic Healing deals with solving the medical concerns of mid-life women. Sometimes these conditions are of a critical nature, through multiple means/approaches to counteract what is usually a complex medical situation. The word synchronistic implies a series of unexplained events occurring within a short period of time that are of significant interest. Thus, synchronistic healing necessitates a multifaceted proven approach to solving the complex medical conditions many women encounter as they age.  The lack of proper/competent medical care and no insurance/un-covered situations makes these situations in many cases dire to say the least.

Inherent medical conditions of many middle-aged women, who can not receive medical care, are unable to obtain specific treatments for proper diagnosis, or beset by a domino effect of health problems are being left behind by the system. Our shelter seeks to provide a haven for these women by providing them a medical resource to confront and treat their myriad of medical maladies. We treat to solve medical conditions, give them a second or third chance and in some cases provide HOPE and hope only.

Our center seeks to provide the following remedies for women confronted by mounting medical conditions of a life threatening or fatal consequence:

• Peaceful home for treatment and recovery.
• Medical care and treatment for those “Lost souls” who have been unable to
• Educational programs designed to help women understand menopause, take control of lifestyle changes and provide them with information on this life transition.
• Counseling and guidance for women unable to find common ground for life sustaining activities/employment.
• Lastly, safety and courage from an environment of competent medical care and hope for a healthier tomorrow.

The following are real life examples of women we are currently giving assistance to:

Cathy is a 46-year-old women suffering from late stage Lyme disease.  She left an abusive marriage only to find her health had deteriorated further.  She has no family support, money or insurance.  We were led to her after she had been lingering for six years unable to find help from government sources.  We are currently seeking housing for her so that she can come from Texas to participate in our women’s health study and provide her with the appropriate treatments she is in desperate need of.  Our organization has been helping cover her prescriptions costs for over a year now. 

Rachelle is a 47-year-old married woman with Hepatitis C.  She is unable to work and is dependent on her husband’s income to support three children (one who is autistic), an aging mother and a disabled sister.  Rachelle came to us unaware that she had Hepatitis until we provided her with resources and testing to help her get appropriate testing and help with her hormone replacement. 

Jean is a 46-year-old woman who has gone from doctor to doctor with no knowledge of toxic mold exposure.  Her fiancé was murdered over a year ago and she was left with nothing to support herself except Section 8 housing (which is impossible to get now), and a meager supply of food stamps.  We have provided Jean with some medical care and she will be participating in our research study as well starting in January 2006. 

Debbie is a 56-year-old homeless woman with multiple health problems that resulted from a diving accident some years ago.  After her house burnt down and government cut backs left her with no job.  We were able to secure long term housing for her in the only disabled person’s shelter in Phoenix.  She is in dire need of health care and financial support and we are working to achieve further funding to help with her case.  Women already on the street pose a more complicated set of problems because they fall through the cracks and end up at inappropriate shelters. 

These are just a few of the many women that are left behind in our health care system.  We hope that the community will see the need for our organization to help support the many other cases yet to come across our path.