New Hope Man Chad Methum Featured in CaringBridge Documentary
A New Hope man used CaringBridge to keep his family and friends up to date while he waited for a liver transplant and then recovered from it. Chad Methum says the website was a valuable tool to keep friends and family updated. “It was a huge resource,” says Methum, who says his significant other kept the website updated while he was ill. “It was very valuable in getting information out to friends and family who live throughout the country and in different states. You don’t have to field phone calls and keep up with emails.”
Liwanag Ojala, CaringBridge CEO, says the social network remains a private, ad-free way for families and friends to connect during a difficult time. “Caregivers can be very specific about what they need from their community,” says Ojala. “There’s magic in not only the patient or caregiver coming out and saying these are my needs on my journey, but this is the way the community can help as well.”
CaringBridge features Chad Methum
CaringBridge celebrated 20 years last year and produced a documentary exploring how people heal. The documentary called How We Heal featured Chad Methum’s story alongside several others. “People choose healing,” says CaringBridge CEO Liwanag Ojala. “That doesn’t mean they are going to get better or they are going to have a better health outcome or get well. Choosing to heal and being deliberate about what that means for you can manifest itself in lots of ways.”
Producers chose Methum’s story because of his mindset and determination during the organ transplant process. “A lot of times when you have CaringBridge, it’s a concentrated time for a health journey,” says Ojala. “What’s different about Chad’s journey is its much longer.”
After Methum left the hospital with his new liver, the recovery process was lengthy and complex. It took more than a year for Methum to return full time to his job as a chef. “I decided I wanted to be strong again,” says Methum, who is currently leading a very active lifestyle. He golfs, bikes, and enjoys taking his dogs for a walk. “I wanted to show it is possible to recover and become strong again.”
