Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma

Fighting the Darkness Together

Fighting the Darkness Together

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Darkness creeps in quietly. It whispers lies of unworthiness, shame, and hopelessness. It isolates, convincing us that we are alone in our struggles. But here’s the truth: you are not alone. Fighting the darkness together without judgement or condemnation is how I roll!

We all battle darkness in different ways—through mental illness, grief, trauma, or the overwhelming weight of life’s responsibilities. The fight may feel exhausting, but there is power in coming together. When we lock arms, share our struggles, and speak truth over the lies, the darkness loses its grip.

Fighting the darkness isn’t about pretending it doesn’t exist. It’s about acknowledging it and choosing to stand against it. It’s about reaching for light when everything feels dim. Light can be found in so many ways—a conversation with a trusted friend, a therapist who listens without judgment, a reminder that God’s love is bigger than our worst days.

We fight darkness when we speak openly about mental health, breaking the stigma that keeps people silent. We fight it when we offer kindness instead of judgment, when we hold space for someone who is struggling. We fight it by showing up—for ourselves and for each other.

Maybe today, you are the one who needs to hear this: You matter. Your pain is real, but so is your strength. Keep fighting. Keep holding on. And if you can, reach out to someone else who may need to hear the same.

Together, we push back the darkness. Together, we shine.

Reach Out

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Medical, Reuben Schwartz & Jake Shirk Amish Iridologist

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Clearing Things Up Amish Iridologist Reuben Schwartz

Clearing Things Up Amish Iridologist Reuben Schwartz.  I DO NOT WORK FOR REUBEN.  I (and my family) are clients of his. We live almost 5 hours from him.

I wish I could make appointments and intercede for those who reach out to me, but I simply can’t. My goal is to share our experience to help others possibly. Reuben may not work for you, but he did for us. Everyone is different. He should NEVER replace your regular doctor!

Reuben is retired. Ironically, he had an eye injury that he took time off to allow for healing. While Reuben was healing, sadly, his wife passed away. That is when he decided to retire.

He has trained Jake Shirk for many years. We met him the last time we were there. He is young (young to me) and very kind. He has a passion for what he does. Realize they (Reuben and now Jake) are NOT medical doctors. This practice was passed down through the family.

The visit is free unless you want to donate to Jake.

The herbs/supplements are NOT FREE. I would bring anywhere from $100-$200, depending on what you want to buy. Bring cash only! Credit cards (no electronics) and checks (they do not use banks) are not accepted.

Keep your bottles because they will refill those for you if you choose to go back. Some people do, and some people do not. It is up to you.

Address and Information

1205 Radure Rd

Hestand, KY 42151

Remember, they ARE AMISH.

They have no access to computers, emails, phones, or electricity, for that matter.

You will need to WRITE A LETTER to get an appointment.

A reply letter can take anywhere from 7-10 days. You can request a better day/time for you. Otherwise, they give you the first available.

You can walk in. The office will always give preference to those with appointments over walk-ins. They do stay busy, so keep that in mind.

Hours and Days of Operation Have Changed

NEW HOURS

Monday and Friday 7:30-3:00

Saturday 7:30-11:00

I will be calling Mountain Air Herbs at least once a year to update the days/times of Jake Shirk, Amish Iridologist. They are subject to change at any given time.

Mountain Air Herb

Reuben’s (now Jake’s) office does NOT have all that may be recommended for you. That is where Mountain Air Herbs comes into play. They are phenomenal humans from Reuben (now Jake) down the hill.

Mountain Air Herbs DOES take cash, credit cards, and possibly checks. That may have changed over the years. They will have the remainder of what you need. They will also tell you what might do the same thing and what is completely necessary and what isn’t. The people here are NOT medical doctors.

This time, I spoke to the long-time manager Carrie Beason. She, and the owners, are a wealth of information. They have the supplements/oils that Reuben (now Jake Shirk) does not carry. If you would like to contact them, you can click here, which will lead you to their website.

They are ENGLISH and not AMISH. Mountain Air Herbs has a phone number and a website you can see through the link I posted above.

They work closely with the Amish because of their deep love for their Vernon community. They CAN NOT make appointments for Jake (formerly Reuben).

Hours of Operation for Mountain Air Herbs

Monday and Friday from 8-4 pm

Saturday from 8-12

I will be calling Mountain Air Herbs at least once a year to update the days/times of Jake Shirk, Amish Iridologist. They are subject to change at any given time.

For Me

I welcome any questions, but I do not make appointments for the Amish Iridologist in Kentucky. If you have any stories to share, positive or negative, you can leave them on any post. It is good to have a well-rounded view of holistic care, which this is.

Amish Iridologist Reuben Schwartz is a good man, as is Jake. I got the pleasure of meeting him the last time I brought my children. Reuben looked at half of us, and Jake looked at the other half. Both men are very kind. Also, remember that they sell fantastic bread, fruits, produce, popcorn, quilts, and other things. You can get some stuff at the store. Otherwise, you will see them outside, ready and willing to sell you their beautiful bounty of goodies.