Originally born in Panama, Carmen Buelvas Critchlow was sent by her family to the United States to acquire an education at the young age of thirteen. As a little girl, she dreamed of studying medicine and returning to help her people. In her early twenties as a young mother of two small children, Carmen faced her first crisis with Kidney Disease. Her physical, emotional, financial and spiritual struggle against the many complications of the disease have spanned two decades, two kidney transplants and more brushes with death than most of us imagine possible in one lifetime. Overcoming the dismal odds again and again, Carmen has become a strong advocate for her "colleague" patients and for organ donation, which for more than 75,000 individuals waiting in the U.S. alone, WILL mean the difference between life and death. With her own special commitment to education, Carmen has developed a resource library for patients and families at her local Hemodialysis Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. She has spearheaded the formation of local support groups on quality of life that is possible on dialysis. She gives a great deal of time to encouraging other patients who have had or are facing organ transplants. As a more official volunteer, Carmen works with the Kidney Foundation and the Gift of Life Agency to distribute literature and educate the public about the need for organ donation. She is even helping the Gift of Life Agency translate their materials into Spanish and frequently serves as a translator at the local hospital on behalf of Hispanic patients. That little girl could never have known that her struggle with Kidney Disease would catapult her into her own special mission of health education, one person at a time. Carmen Buelvas Critchlow is a woman from whom we can all learn important life lessons. Carmen lives with her husband, David, in the country outside Battle Creek. They are the proud parents of two children, Peter and Angelina, and one grandson, Alex. Their home is often frequented by visitors who are intrigued by David's collection of reptiles and tropical plants. Highlights of The Courage to Live: Details the twenty-year physical and emotional battle Carmen and her family have fought against Kidney Disease; Shares how in a powerful way this uninvited “battle” has been transformed into a spiritual journey with God; Describes in clear, understandable terms the implications of kidney failure and the reality of dialysis; Invites readers to reflect on what organ donation can mean to a recipient family; Tells the compelling untold story of thousands of families whose finances can be destroyed by a health crisis; Challenges us all to think again about our own faith, how we share in community, and how we respond to God’s invitation of growth in our own lives. The Courage to Live is a memorable story about overcoming adversity with hefty doses of love, faith, community, humor and personal courage. READER COMMENTS: “Carmen’s book is inspiring. With easily understood explanations of End Stage Renal Disease and the sharing of faith lessons learned, she opens the heart’s door for others to live ‘in the valley of the shadow of death.’ As she writes, ‘It does not have to be a weakness, but an opportunity to be creative; use it as a learning tool to grow in Christ.’” —Pastor Mark Thompson, Bellevue United Methodist |
| THE COURAGE TO LIVE My Journey with God A Kidney Patient's Story. |
| Carmen's books are available for wholesale. If your group or organization would like to wants to sponsor a printing, "Sponsor by" will be added in the first inside front page of book. For more information contact Carmen's Publisher Telephone/Fax: (269) 962-8184. Carmen is also available for speaking engagements. |