Inspiration from Adversity
Judy McCracken, President and CEO, has been involved in the healing arts for twenty years in her quest to find relief and healing from fibromyalgia and clinical depression. This challenging path opened doors to a wide variety of healing modalities and a vast network of healing practitioners. Reiki emerged as the primary force for her own healing and wellness. Her work as a full-time Reiki Master teacher and practitioner produced her vision for large-scale projects to spread the gifts of Reiki healing techniques nationwide.

REIKI News Magazine - Winter 2008
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Teaching Reiki To Caregivers
Article by Judy McCracken - CEO; Reiki Rays of Hope for Caregivers, Inc.

Our History
REIKI Rays of Hope for Caregivers, Inc. is the culmination of the life journeys of 24 Reiki Masters who each have a different, yet remarkably similar tale to tell of the pathways that led each to the gifts of Reiki healing in our lives. The commonalities we share are combinations of physical and emotional challenges which sent each of us searching for help and guidance beyond what traditional medicines could offer. All of us share the passion and gratitude for what we have received from this healing, relaxation work. We are joined in our commitment to share the practices with others to assist and guide them to learn and integrate Reiki into their own daily lives. We have found our way to good health, to each other and to a common vehicle for helping and serving our fellow men and women.

Pilot Project
In 2004, after 16 years in the healing arts field, Judy McCracken coordinated a Reiki pilot project in a secured unit for residents with Alzheimer’s/dementia in a nursing home in Beachwood, Ohio. This six-month project produced amazing learning experiences for 20 Reiki Masters, such as ways to “connect” with the residents, hand positions which were best tolerated by them, and approaches to avoid which appeared to provoke agitation. The residents clearly loved the warm touch and some began pointing to the areas they wanted us to touch, began walking or wheeling their chairs in search of us in our absence.

Collaborative Grant Project
The success of this pilot project led Judy in 2006 to a grant in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, Cleveland Area Chapter, in which 142 caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’/dementia were given Reiki classes free of charge to learn to use the techniques on themselves and their loved ones. The exciting results included improvements in quality of life such as: sleeping, eating, walking, and mental clarity. The major surprise in this project was that the caregivers appeared to be the major benefactors. The use of Reiki on themselves daily resulted in testimony of feelings of empowerment, hopefulness, and amazing positive changes in their attitudes and routines. These outcomes spurred the creation in 2007 of the current non-profit organization.

REIKI Current Newsletter - 2011
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