Friendships without Borders by Christine Von Raesfeld

Civic Leadership Forum Silicon Valley Stop Hate Series

DDTV Community

08/19/2022

Friendships without Borders by Christine Von Raesfeld

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As a woman, of mixed Asian descent dealing with multiple health conditions, both physical and mental I have always struggled with my identity and self-worth.

Growing up with little emotional support, I found my passion in helping others. I began to use my negative experiences in a positive way, to help impact change in healthcare. I was establishing amazing connections and was finally feeling like I mattered. I had begun traveling and sharing my perspective with people who actually could make a difference, and then covid hit.

As someone who traveled, to find real connections, my world shut down and in the midst of everything else falling apart, I was recommended to self quarantine. I fell into a deep depression which spiraled downward quick. As someone who is distant from my own family with no children or spouse of my own, for the first time, I felt truly alone.

It was in the depths of that despair when a stranger from the UK reached out to connect and not for any other reason than to just say he cared. From that friendship, spawned an amazing group, rare disease advocates from all over the world who were willing and open to share their experiences and their perspectives.

We formed an amazing bond that we hope can help change the future of healthcare but only time will tell. With as much negativity that has come out of this pandemic, I am grateful for so many things, and as a society we must try to focus on the positives. In my public speaking, I often say that I wish something would happen to everyone to make them realize what really matters in life to help us change my perspectives and ultimately change the world. I’m just hoping maybe this is it.

The Above video is one of the entries from “In Time of COVID19 Video & Essay Contest”

We believe that the pandemic has generated a treasure trove of interesting stories, valuable and relevant contents about humanity in all its spectrums. Stories about generosity, heroism, kindness and outstanding services to fellow human beings on the other.

Ding Ding TV (Silicon Valley Innovation Channel and Voice of Asian Americans) , CLUSA together with 16 partners presented “In Time of COVID19 Video & Essay Contest” bringing these stories to our community and simultaneously acknowledge and honor their creators.

The contestant should read and follow the Contest Rulers published on May 10th 2020 from following link:

http://www.dingdingtv.com/?p=57035

The contestant acknowledge Rule 5, 6

5) If background music and other visual, verbal and sound (reference) material are used from internet, the contestant must possess copyrights or have explicit permission to use such material(s).

6) By entering this contest, the contestants will have given DingDingTV and Contest Partners explicit permission to distribute the video widely on media channels, the internet and social media sites such as Youtube, Facebook, WhatApp, WeChat, twitter….etc.

Comment (1)

Emily McDaniel says:

06/07/2020 at pm5:54

Christine has been through SO much for SO long, with her chronic illnesses. She is an amazing person who has found positives despite the challenges each day. That says a lot and it is an inspiration!

Reply