Darlene was one of the most authentic and inspiring people I’ve ever met, and our relationship truly transformed my life.
I first learned about her when I read her book, Finding Joy in the Heart of Pain (now called Turning Suffering Inside Out).
This was at a time in my life when I was still struggling enormously with chronic illness and pain, and reading her book was like a drink of cold water in the desert. Darlene was no stranger to illness and pain. She had rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune inflammatory condition affecting the joints, for more than 30 years. When the disease first struck her, she lost 40 pounds and was forced to stay in bed. She couldn’t dress herself, hold the phone receiver, or get up from the toilet unassisted. From her book:
