Improving Lives One Stride at a Time

Success Story...

Pleasantly surprised to find a photo of my husband this morning as I was reading the paper.  In fact, it was the only sight of John I have had today since he was out the door by 5 am for work.

John Buck, a technician for The Client Server, works on a customers computer at the company’s office in Bonita. / ANDREW WEST/news-press.com

Success Story: Technology firm The Client Server Grows

The Donation by Donna Lee

As promised in Prayers Received and Accepted, Donna is sharing the details of harvesting her stem cells for her brother.

On Tuesday, the 16th, 9 am, after giving myself a final shot of Nuepogen, I was hooked up to the machine which draws the blood from my left arm, collects my stem cells, transferring them to a bag, and replaces my blood back to my body (heated) through my right arm.  I expected it to be like giving a blood donation but soon discovered that it was a little more trying then that. 

I was all set up on my lounge chair, legs up, head back, laptop on my knees, books by my side and snacks.

I thought this would be a 6 hour leisurely process, including movies, books and food; my body reacted otherwise.  Because calcium is being drawn from your blood, you start to shiver, shake and tingle.  It was a very strange sensation, which means you need to suck on some tums and be hooked up to calcium. After awhile, that tingling sensation turns into numbness, exhaustion and apathy.  You feel as if your soul has been drained out of you.  As a matter of fact, you feel just plain lousy.  However, when I was told that the bag is filled, the target has been reached and you are being unhooked, I knew I would have done it again.

Throughout the process I held hematite stones in each one of my hands, with the intent of transferring them to my brother's hands on the day of his infusion.  I kept repeating to myself that this is going work, that I am giving good, healthy healing cells to my brother.  At the end of the experience, I broke down in tears of relief: 1) because of the realization of how much the people around me are suffering, and 2) knowing that this bag of gold will soon give my brother new bone marrow, good health and well-being.

Yesterday, the 16th, my sleeping brother received the stem cells. The hematite stones were placed next to his right and left hands. After 2 hours, when the process was done, I removed the stones to put in the sun lit window, which practically burned a whole through my palms. That blew my mind!!!

My brother, Brad, is feeling reasonably well and now it is a matter of keeping him comfortable, in good spirits and positive so that he will absorb the new cells.  Prayer, meditation, laughs and love are the daily requirements.  Taking each day as it comes is another.  I am looking forward to seeing what today brings. Shabbat Shalom, Salam, Peace.

B'ahava

Nameste, 

DONNA LEE

Events:

Disabled Championship, Larchmont, NY September 22-25

Sign up/recruit now for the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship -Sept. 22-25 at Larchmont Yacht Club, NY . It will be a wonderful regatta and are just waiting for the sailors to register.  There is a novice fleet too, so if you know any rookies, please encourage them.

Linking: 

You Inspire My Whole World Video

BEST OF > The Charity Register 2010

The Charity Register 2010

Your guide to great causes along the gulfshore.

Author: Jennifer Freihofer

Photographer: Brian Tietz

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As the horse breaks into a trot, six-year-old A.J. sits up straighter, tosses his helmet-strapped head back and bursts into a contagious giggle. His parents, Michon and Angel Chamorro, laugh from outside the covered riding arena. Then, A.J. leans forward onto the pillow that supports him in the saddle.

Away we go!: Volunteers Brittany Reynoso (left) and Christiane Daniel (right) help six-year-old A.J. Chamorro as he rides Spot at Naples Equestrian Challenge.

At Naples Equestrian Challenge, A.J’s time on the specially trained horse, surrounded by certified instructors and volunteers, is a form of physical therapy for his cerebral palsy. His parents say it’s worth the drive from Estero to see his upper body strength, posture and vocals improve. Plus, his dad says, he absolutely loves it. “Every time he hears the word ‘horse’ or sees a picture, he’s pointing,” Angel says.
Each week, the program serves more than 100 children and adults with developmental delays caused by disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome to stroke and amputations. Another 40 to 50 riders participate in mental health activities for autism, attention-deficit disorder and more.
Melissa Caffey, Naples Equestrian Challenge’s former executive director, says most participants are on scholarship and ride about 40 times a year. They are charged only $10 per half-hour session, although it costs the program between $4,000 to $5,000 per rider.
Stacie Wiesenbaugh of Bonita Springs brings her son Riley Buck, eight, to ride. He was born with a brain hemorrhage that caused cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia, hearing and visual impairments, and other complications that require him to be strapped to the horse. She remembers their first visit. “The wind was really blowing,” she says. “The smell of the barn hit him, and he started laughing hysterically and wouldn’t stop. It was like this place was the right place for him. There are very few opportunities for him to participate in anything and enjoy himself.”
A.J.’s dad appreciates all the hard work put in by the 270 volunteers each week. “I think it’s nice to see people take time out of their lives to help kids that need it,” he says. “It’s a great program. I hope it never ends.”
Naples Equestrian Challenge is one of so many worthy charitable organizations throughout Collier and Lee counties. The list on the following pages provides the goals of 267 organizations and offers ways for you to get involved along the Gulfshore.
—Denise Scott

The Versatile Blogger Award for Riley's Smile

Rileys-Smile? The Versatile Blogger Award?

 

Woot!  My first award.
My little niche blog has The Versatile Blogger!

I am SO EXCITED!

Can I make this button any bigger?
How will it look on my front door?
Where shall I have my t-shirt made?
Hey, the green will go well on Riley's chair.
How will it look on our front door?

Thank you to Melanie of My Regular Life for giving me this award!

I am honored to be in your company.

Check out My Regular Life, you'll become a regular real fast.

Now - to the rules of accepting the Versatile Blogger Award:  

1. Thank the person who gave the award and link back to them in your post. 
2. Share 7 things about yourself. 
3. Pass this award along to 15 recently discovered blogs.

7 Things about Me:

1. Born in Ankara, Turkey thanks to the US Air Force.
2. Many of my younger years were spent on an Angus Farm called Rocky Forge Farm in MD.
3. As a junior member of the Angus Cattle Association, I owned and showed the Pennsylvania State Cow & Calf Junior Champions... somewhere in the 80s:-)  No computer then to record these momentous occasions so I'll have to detail that later.
4. For several years in the early 90s I Captained the annual Will Rogers Beach Cleanup for the International Coastal Cleanup and John learned real fast how to weigh thousands of pounds of trash and organize 2000 people in moments when he came along.
5. I am passionate for wild and exotic animal rescues especially the Wildlife Waystation for allowing us the privilege of being part of their team.
6. Hopefully I will continue scuba diving with my husband for the rest of my life.
7. My Spirit Guide, described by Candyce, appears in ancient garb with long, straight dark hair.  She is adamant that I have much to learn.

Now - on to 15 recently discovered blogs in no particular order.... 
oh there are so many I enjoy.... decisions, decisions!
Check these out!!!!!!!!!!! You will be glad you visited.

1.  Butterfly Dreams
2.  CoffeeRocketFairyTale
3.  I am a broken man/You can't break me
4.  Kat's Cafe
5.  Magpie Girl
6.  Hope4Katy
7.  Single Dad/Disabled Daughter
8.  TherExtras
9.  Bug Safari - yes I have boys:-)
10.  Handbook of Nature Study
11.  Radical Ramblings and Thoughts of a Southern Girl
12.  The Perfect Line
13.  CinfulCinnamon
14.  Serendipity
15.  Makenzies Miracle
 

OH DEAR... I NEED ANOTHER AWARD...

I HAVE 15 MORE IN MIND! 

We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh

 

My Regular Life: Who? ME?

My Regular Life: Who? ME?: "So... someone DOES read my meanderings! Woot! This is exciting stuff, as it is my first award. Thank you so much Ciao Mama , of Mommy Bag..."