Contributions
Donate Online

 

Feature Story (continued)

After Misfortune, LIFE LINK Client D’Lynn McCarthy Savors the Sweet Smell of Success

---

Beginning the Journey Back
Eventually, D’Lynn was referred to The Life Link where she was evaluated for services. For her treatment plan, she was assigned a team consisting of a case manager, a therapist, a physician and a housing counselor. Having the support team proved essential when challenges threatened to overwhelm her.* D’Lynn elaborates: “At that point, I really wasn’t able to walk out the door by myself.. How could I look for somewhere to live?” Though her path to recovery was not an easy one, D’Lynn was committed to her healing, and slowly, she began to feel better.

Finding Her Guardian Angels
One day, in order to boost her spirits, a friend took her to the Humane Society. At this point she was still living in her car, and another creature to share her limited space was the last thing she needed. But Jessi, a soulful-eyed spaniel mix, sought out D’Lynn and clung to her, and when D’Lynn attempted to leave, Jessi howled. Against all sound logic, D’Lynn returned to adopt her.

“And she’s been by my side ever since,” says D’Lynn, reaching down to pat her companion. “We really take care of one another. Somehow I don’t feel as vulnerable when I am out and about. Before Jessi, even coming to The Life Link was difficult.”

If there are such things as guardian angels in this world, D’Lynn has experienced some of hers. In addition to Jessi, D’Lynn receives on-going encouragement and support from her daughter Tausha and her friend Manuel. When she finds boulders in the road ahead of her, her angels have been there with their support, helping move them out of the way or climb over them.

Launching Her Business Venture
With The Life Link housing assistance program, Manuel behind the wheel, and Jessi at her side, D’Lynn was able to venture outside and find a new home. Once she felt the security of a home, in addition to the support of loved ones around her, D’Lynn began to focus on her finances.

Five years ago, in what seems like another lifetime, D’Lynn had a small baking business providing breakfast bars to local Santa Fe shops. When she had progressed sufficiently in her healing, D’Lynn, with the help of daughter Tausha, put together a business plan that was awarded a grant from the NM State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. D’Lynn has now started her new baking enterprise, BiteMe Foods. Her bars contain healthy and organic ingredients - and an infusion of love and gratitude.

Today D’Lynn is part of a community commercial kitchen in Taos. She lives independently in her own apartment and even takes the public bus when she needs to.

D’Lynn is realistic about the road ahead and the challenges yet to be faced. She shares her story with us because she wants to tell people there is always hope for those who seek it, She encourages us to be open to that possibility.

Looking down at Jessi and smiling, she says: “It’s all really unfolding in a remarkable way. I feel very blessed and full of gratitude for all those who are a part of my healing”.

D’Lynn and BiteMe Foods can be reached at:
575-758-1719 or via email at: dlynn@bitemefoods.biz.
Website coming soon.

Back to TOP

---

D’Lynn’s Yummy Apricot Nut Loaf

Ingredients:
(Use organic ingredients for most delicious, healthiest results!)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 lg. egg
• 2 tblspons soft butter.
• 4 teasp grated orange rind
• 3/4 cups orange juice
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teasp sea salt (fine)
• 3-1/2 teasp baking powder
• 6 cups chopped nuts
• 3 cups chopped dried apricots

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Sift together flour, salt and baking powder.
3. In separate bowl, cream together sugar, egg and butter.
4. Stir in milk, orange juice and rind.
5. Add moist ingredients to flour mixture and mix well.
6. Sir in chopped apricots and nuts.

Add batter to greased 9” x 5” x 2½” loaf pan. Bake 50-70 minutes or until done. Let stand 20 minutes, remove from pan and serve.

Click Here to print out a copy

 

Back to TOP

2325 Cerrillos Road Santa Fe, New Mexico
Tel 505.438.0010 • FAX: 505.438.6011