Beyond The Illness Foundation
Transforming lives by fostering hope, resilience, and empowerment in individuals and communities affected by illness
6655 Santa Barbara Road Ste. 8772
Elkridge, Maryland 21075
(443) 718-0308
support@beyondtheillness.org
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Dear Chronic Illness Community,
We are thrilled to share some exciting news that reflects our commitment to growth, inclusivity, and better serving our diverse community.
After careful consideration and strategic planning, we are delighted to announce that Strength Of A Parent Foundation, Inc. has undergone a significant transformation. We are proud to introduce our new identity as Beyond The Illness Foundation, Inc., a change that not only represents our evolution as a patient advocacy and wellness support nonprofit, but also underscores our dedication to embracing a broader demographic of individuals living with a chronic illness who are in need of additional support and guidance.
This strategic move is more than just a change in name; it signifies our commitment to inclusivity and our mission to provide exceptional services to an even wider audience. Our restructured approach is designed to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of everyone living with a challenging health issue, ensuring that everyone feels a sense of belonging within this chronic illness/ disease community, which continues to affect the lives of so many.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. We look forward to the opportunities and challenges that Beyond The Illness will bring, and we can't wait to continue serving you, and helping you to become more empowered as a patient living with a chronic illness or potentially life-threatening disease.
Who We Are
Who We Are
At Beyond The Illness Foundation, Inc. we are dedicated to transforming lives by fostering hope, resilience, and empowerment in individuals and communities affected by illness. Our organization strives to go beyond the constraints of illness, providing support, resources, and a compassionate community that enables individuals to discover their inherent strength and potential.
We believe in a holistic approach to well-being, addressing not only the physical aspects of illness but also the emotional, social, and psychological dimensions. Through innovative programs, advocacy, and collaboration with healthcare professionals, we aim to break down barriers to recovery and create a world where everyone, regardless of their health challenges, can lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Our commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and integrity drives us to continually evolve and adapt to the ever-changing needs of those we serve. Together, let us go beyond the illness, inspiring resilience, fostering connections, and building a future where every individual can thrive beyond the constraints of health conditions."
*Our board of directors is uniquely comprised of individuals who bring a wealth of experience and insight to the table, as each member lives with a chronic illness, contributing diverse perspectives to our organizational decision-making process.
A Message From Our Executive Director
Get started on the path to feeling empowered as a patient.
Thank you for visiting our site. My name is Nikeya Smith, Executive Director of this organization. In 2007, at the age of 31, and as a newly divorced mom, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, and then subsequently diagnosed with several autoimmune disorders in the years to follow. The name "Strength Of A Parent" came about due to my determination and will to live to raise my daughter, who was just two-years-old at the time of my first diagnosis. Today, my daughter is a thriving young adult, attending college on a full scholarship. I am now also thankful to say that I beat not only cancer, but also an MS, and a Lupus diagnosis.
*Our nonprofit has recently undergone many changes, including a name change, to allow us to reach a broader patient/wellness community .
I was thankfully able to successfully overcome many of my own health challenges through self-advocacy as a patient, by coordinating my own health care services, by implementing diet and lifestyle changes, and by seeking therapy to heal from childhood trauma. I possess over 25 years of professional experience in the healthcare field, having worked as a Medical Social Worker, Clinical Case Manager, and many other health-related and human service positions. I am now committed to providing hope, direction, and compassion to other patients such as myself in their time of need.
Want to join our efforts but not sure where to start? Make a donation and take advantage of an opportunity to lend your support. It's a great way to contribute to our cause, and every little bit counts towards paving the path for a better tomorrow for chronically ill individuals with limited incomes, many of whom are terminally ill, and receive free services through our nonprofit.
Since we are a registered 501c3, your donations are tax deductible. We sincerely thank you for your support in helping to keep our mission alive.
Get Involved
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Mail-in Donation to: P.O. Box 8772 Elkridge, MD 21075
Services Provided
*All services can be scheduled individually, or arranged as part of a corporate package. To express your interest in our services, kindly reach out via email.
Care Coordination
Holistic Wellness
Patient Advocacy
Life Coaching
A a key componet in the wellness journey of a patient, this includes coordinating and managing various aspects of patient care to ensure a seamless and positive experience. Examples are: assistance with obtaining health care referrals; medical provider searches and recommendations; insurance billing assistance, assistance with applying for health-related benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, and SSDI
A client-centered, integrative approach to help individuals achieve optimal well-being by addressing the interconnected elements of their lives. Through education, support, and empowerment, we facilitate positive and sustainable lifestyle changes that contribute to better disease management, or disease reversal and prevention. All approaches are evidence based, have been implimented with much success for many.
Assistance in identifying and achieving personal and professional goals, fostering positive changes, and enhancing overall life satisfaction. This involves providing guidance, support, and motivation through a collaborative and client-centered coaching process.
*Much of the life coaching provided is to address one’s desire to change unhealthy lifetyle habits, and encourage a better path to happiness in all aspects of life.
The primary goal is to ensure that patients receive the best possible care and that their rights are respected. This includes, but is not limited to: diagnosis education; helping patients articulate their concerns and questions to healthcare professionals; ensuring informed consent and informed decision making; crisis intervention; and promoting patient rights,
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Purchase My Self-Help Book
Allow me to share with you the knowledge that I have acquired over the years through my relentless research and plan of action that ultimately helped me to break away from the bondage associated with my traumatic past. In this book I will share with you the plan I devised eight years ago that ultimately allowed me to save my own life by healing myself from several auto-immune disorders that left me wheelchair bound for almost an entire year.
I also explore many important life changing topics, from how to heal from trauma, to how eliminate deadly stress, to learning how to eat in order survive, the power of natural herbs, to how to choose the right medical providers, as well as tips on self-advocacy as a patient. I possess over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field, having worked in both medical and mental healthcare, to all of which I credit much of my resiliency. I have been overwhelmingly blessed enough to have returned from the brink of death on more than one occasion, and it is now my goal to share my story with others, as well as offer step by step guidance and support to you during your own journey towards healing and living a more purposeful life.
2014, after being diagnosed with MS and Lupus. After acheiving complete healing, I regained my ability to walk after needing a wheelchair for almost a year.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I make an apointment for services?
*Our preference is to connect with you prior to booking an appointment. This will ensure that you are paying for the correct service, according to your personal or corporate needs.
*There are several ways in which to contact us pertaining to services offered. Please click on the email icon, which is located on the Home Page, the Services Page, as well as at the bottom of this page, which is the FAQs Page. Once we receive your email, we will respond within 24 hours with a service recommendation based on your individual or corporate needs. After your desired service is confirmed, you will then return to this site, and place your order on the Services Page. Once your payment is received, we will schedule your appointment during your preferred day and time. We will also email you a copy of our confidential client intake form, to please be completed and emailed back to us at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
*Our corporate prices vary and can be discussed via email or by phone.
Q: What are staff qualifications?
*Licensed Social Workers with a combined 50 years of experience in Health Care and Human Services
*Holistic Wellness Coaching Cerfitications
*Life Coach Certifications (ICF approved)
*5 years of Health and Wellness/ Organizational Consulting for partnering businesses
*30 years of Clinical Case Management Experience
*Professionals who are Cancer patients-in remission
*Published Authors, Grant Writing Professionals
coming soon
Well will be adding additional services soon, such as virtual support groups for patients, as well as a weekly blog.
An apparel section is also in the works, which will feature inspirational items for sale to uplift and provide positive affirmations to patients who are in need of words of encouragement.
We continue to strive to be a beacon of hope and a source of strength for those dealing with the emotional and physical challenges associated with illness.
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6655 Santa Barbara Road Suite 8772
Elkridge, Maryland 21075
(443) 718-0308