If there is ever a trivia question about me and what I LOVE, it's patios, so I am carving out a few minutes this afternoon on a BEAUTIFUL spring day in Colorado, where it was literally storming unbelievably hard yesterday, to listen to sit in the sun, listen to the the birds and think about all the moments such as these that have occurred in the fifty years since I was born.
The story goes that the obstetrician who was delivering me had a 3:00 golf game so at 1:30 proceeded to go for the forceps. I've heard my mother was not happy at all about it. Perhaps things have changed a lot since 1960 with health care? YES. And they continue to change, in many good ways, as that is not a practice that would be acceptable today. Hopefully someone as strong as my mother would feel today like she could have more power and authority over what a doctor does to her body and baby than she apparently did back then. It is an immense pleasure to have as a writer on Lumigrate, Lynn Hellerstein, OD, who has written a book about what to do with the brain to help it be more efficient for learning. She is one of the many, many professionals over the year who have helped me put my injured brain and body back together again and come to my understanding of what has caused my problems.
Today I kicked off a couple of new Forums; one for people to tell their story about fibromyalgia (whether it be theirs or that of a friend or family member, coworker). Another is about humor. So let me tell a little of my story about how humor has been a big part of my life: My dad was going to call my grandmother and tell her that I was a boy, just as a joke. I believe I inherited from my father a spirit that has contributed much to both of our successes in dealing with chronic illness and pain our whole adult lives. Likely some genes in the mix that is why we both ended up with the issues we did, as pretty much everyone has less than adequate nutrition, immunizations and toxins such as heavy metals which used to be included in them regularly, or has a forceps delivery or other head injury.
I was born into a family with a mother who was very resilient and strong in her own way and she rarely was sick. I have never seen two dichomous people married, but I certainly appreciate the diversity it brought me. I hope the doctor had really needed to get out in the sun and play golf that day; after having a winter like the one I have had, I can almost understand why he set his priorities as he did, but I also want everyone to know how committed I am to seeing that people have the very best health because THEY have learned from Lumigrate and our growing experts.
I look forward to seeing what I can accomplish in my 6th decade of life, since I'm lucky enough to be here. I have many friends that didn't make it this many days. I do know this: I'm going better at 50 health-wise than I was at 40 and am committed to providing the information here so that others can say the same thing if they also put in their resources of time and energy and money (directly and indirectly) and learn ideas, change what they are doing, and go forward. I will continue to do my best as well, and appreciate your support.
Lumigrate is at the point now of approaching sponsors for support of the various sections of the website, and what they will look at is if people are going to be seeing that they have done so. As my birthday request to you with Lumigrate with me, I ask that you continue your commitment to checking with the website, telling others, writing if you have something to contribute: why would a sponsor contribute their resources if we don't, right?
Birthdays are a wonderful time of reflection, and on mine, I reflect on how wonderfully Lumigrate has done in it's first year and want to say that I am just as committed now as I have been, as I am seeing it changing people's lives in significant ways. This IS a GOOD FRIDAY; have a happy and hoppy weekend, and holy days if it is such for you. ~~ Mardy
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [1] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
Links:
[1] http://twitter.com/lumigrate