Stumbling Blocks to Building Blocks

Hello! My name is Caleb Holman. I have included a photo of myself and my wife and partner, Jennifer.  Several years ago, I set the goal of becoming a professional counselor. I feel called to be trained to help change negative stigmas about clinical mental health challenges and learning disabilities in developing parts of the world.

As a result of this call, I am a student at Denver Seminary working on my Clinical Mental Health Masters and my School Counseling Certificate degrees concurrently. I have been working on this degree for 3 years. During this time, I have also been working at various jobs to pay for my living expenses while I am studying. The program typically takes 3 years to complete, but in my case, it is taking longer. I am a dyslexic. I have difficulty reading. I have used a variety of aids, both technological and interpersonal (a tutor) to allow me to attain my goal. They have created a realistic path for me. I audit courses, so that I can keep up when I actually take them again for credit. I also take a lighter course load, since the challenges involved for me require significantly more time to overcome. With all that taken into consideration, I have been able to complete more than half of the coursework, and am optimistic about completing the rest. My timeline has me graduating in the Summer of 2018.

Recently, I was given yet another challenge in the form of Wegener’s Disease, clinically referred to as Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. (for more information, see http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Granulomatosis-with-Polyangitis-Wegners#sthash.o7G4R0a7.dpuf )This began with a painful mass of tissue damage in my sinuses and a really bad infection that required surgery. I am at home now recovering from the initial surgery. At this point, I am looking at another 9 to 12 months of drug therapy. Depending on how the therapy works I may need a second surgery.

As I face unknowns and challenges to complete a graduate program, and now add a new financial burden, I would appreciate your support in reaching my goal of graduating and overcoming this health challenge. This new reality in my life has imposed some changes to my long term planning. The time and energy that I was using on outside employment is now required for overcoming the challenges of my medical situation. While it is “curable” and not a permanent roadblock, it has come at a time that I must continue my academic program. If I do not, I lose financial aid and student loan assistance, and may even be dropped from the program. My prayers and meditation have led me to conclude that it is time that I ask for assistance.

I hope that you will be part of that assistance. With your help and stewardship, the definition of “cannot” is being changed. I am grateful for any help that you give me. It is that help that will assist me in learning new skills and gain tools that allow me to use my gifts in helping others.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely

Caleb Holman