Hi! I am Denise and I was diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paralysis in 2013. HSP is a chronic, progressive disease that causes muscle degeneration and spasms, neurological problems, weakening and spasms of internal organs and general weakening of the immune system. Here is a link to more information if you would like to know more about this condition: www.sp-foundation.org (
http://www.sp-foundation.org/). Unfortunately, my three siblings and my son also have this condition, which we inherited from my father. My health has declined significantly in the last 6 months and my pain continues in spite of pain- relieving drugs.
I was born in Texas and graduated from Baylor University specializing in nursing. I later attended the University of Washington in Seattle and became a Clinical Nursing Specialist in Psychiatric/Mental Health. For 15 years, I worked with children and teens using Play therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy but was forced to close my practice due to my illness in 2015.
I married Joe Hall in 1982 when he was attending Westminister Seminary in California while I taught nursing at the Bible Institute of Los Angelos. We later moved to Austin in 1985 and began to attend Presbyterian Church of the Hills, now called CrossPointe Church. (Frank Boswell was the first pastor, but we have stayed through the years with Jerry Rahm and now Steve Johnson as pastors. ) During this time in Austin, God blessed us with two children, Mary and Brian. Mary is now married with three children of her own and Brian was married in August, 2017 at a lovely wedding at our house. Crosspointe women and my family did an amazing job in preparing the house so that I could attend.
I appreciate my friends at Crosspointe. Some women bring meals for Joe and I so we don’t have to cook once a week. Some people stay with me on Wednesday nights so Joe can go to a group meeting. The CP Youth Group and certain men have come over to do some yard work or house maintenance. Others just come and visit with me and maybe work on a house project I would like to accomplish. I truly enjoy visits from others because I tire quickly and cannot be out for long.
I am thankful for God’s grace and redemption, the hope and reality of heaven, my friends’ and family’s love and care for me, especially my husband, Joe’s.
Please pray for:
- Joy, hope, and peace amidst suffering
- Endurance and patience for Joe and me
- Feeling the presence of Jesus, the Father and Holy Spirit
- The correct medicines and diet for me would be available
- Wisdom for us and the medical staff regarding decisions for treatment that could increase my comfort and sleep
- That somehow God would receive glory through my life
