What a great surprise to receive the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America “Great Lakes Greatest Volunteer” Award at the annual chapter meeting last month! See MGFA-GL newsletter…

“… for her dedication to the chapter this past year. Traveling all over the state with her “Coraggio” presentation, she helped patients and supporters to take control of their diagnosis by having the courage to “own” good health, positive attitude and enjoying life’s passions by utilizing work-arounds! Thank you Lisa!”

The “Great Lakes Greatest Volunteer” award is a tremendous honor, but I believe even more deserving of the award than me are those that wake each morning with pain or muscle weakness yet go about the day with a smile and positive attitude, those who listen to others with myasthenia gravis or chronic illness, and those caregivers who lovingly and selflessly perform whatever task is the need of the moment. With humble gratitude to MGFA-GL chapter!  But we’ve only begun– more Coraggio to go!

http://myasthenia-mi.org/Summer_2011_Newsletter.pdf

Posing with the statue of San Francesco di Paola at 2009 Festa are: Tony De Luca, IACL President, Lisa Gigliotti, 2nd Prize winner of Pizza Pie Contest (Pizza Margarita) Phil Muccio, and Jennifer Orlando, IACL Secretary.

San Francesco di Paola (St. Francis of Paola) was born in Cosenza, Italy, same province as was born my Nonna. He was a follower of St Francis of Assisi and fostered healing of the sick by encouraging them to believe their faith could produce a miracle of healing.

The Italian-American Club of Lansing honors San Francesco di Paola tomorrow with an outdoor Catholic Mass followed by grilled Italian sausage and goat (crapetto).

As we honor San Francesco di Paola, let us take a moment to thank our caregivers; those people in our lives who encourage us to be well and to believe in miracles! Grazie!

http://lansingiac.org/events/picnic.pdf

Great-grandfather Gennaro Rizzo, World War I Italian Army Cavaliere (cavalry) uniform

On Memorial Day I recall my Great-grandfather Gennaro Rizzo’s heroic November 1918 efforts, darting between Eastern Alps mountain passes and barrage of bullets, carrying armloads of ammunition pressed to his chest with determination to reach the Italian Army artillery cut off by enemy fire.  His bravery won him a Vittorio Veneto World War I Italian Medal of Honor. (See story in Coraggio! Book #1, page 25, and attached photo of Gennaro Rizzo in Italian Cavaliere (Cavalry) uniform.)

I silently bestow a Medal of Honor to my Great-grandmother Giuseppina, who during that same time courageously birthed her third daughter, cared for her three-year old and six-year-old daughters, and fostered and sold fig crops for income — all without her husband – and with fearless faith, determination, and Coraggio.

On this day, while I honor all the men who have served in wars, I acknowledge and bless all the women who fervently prayed for their safe return, who carried on the family farm, or entered the work force while their husbands and sons were away.  These women who determinedly raised children and cared for elderly family with whatever celebration could be created from rations, so children could experience a semblance of normalcy, joy and family love despite the void from absent family members and resources. 

I breathe in the strength and courage these women exuded to overcome the emotional and financial struggles of their day. The strength and courage of their example helps me heal the emotional strain and financial worries of the previous week and fortifies me against any potential emotional strain and financial worry of the week to come. Their simple but indomitable carrying-on of life sparks the wisdom and intuition I need to carry on with joy and purpose. Coraggio!

Coraggio’s message of encouragement live on Fritze & Friends tomorrow from 5:45 pm – 6 pm WILS AM 1320 for Mid-Michigan listeners or live-streamed at www.1320wils.com  Join us on your ride home!

Gracious radio host Cheryl Fritze will not only engage an energetic conversation about the important lessons learned from mothers, she’ll help spread Coraggio’s message of

**reframing a difficult situation to view it in a fresh, positive way, and

**making a daily gratitude list to boost hope and internal joy!

What a boost of enthusiasm it was to meet each of the Young and Fun Despite MG during the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation America national conference in Baltimore MD!  They are truly living life with courage and grace despite MG!

I especially enjoyed bonding over similar life challenges faced by the young & fun:

• The Dating Scene – whaddya say?
• Will my friends ever include me again after canceling on dance night at the bar because my MG was acting up?
• Is gym workout lifestyle possible after MG diagnosis?
• Bikini or not bikini after thymectomy?
• The dreaded prednisone bloat

Let’s keep encouraging each other!  Post your latest thoughts!

Not only did our mother give us life, she taught us life lessons through the years of love, patience and courage.  We may not have been aware of her worries or heartaches because she wrapped us in loving arms or brought us belly laughs by her infectious laughter.

We bow our heads in gratitude and utter a prayer for our mother, our grandmothers, the religious sisters who guided us, the teachers who educated us, and all others in mothering, mentoring roles in our life.  To honor them we carry forward with love, laughter and courage!

Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month started with several hundred participants at the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) Baltimore Conference.

Coraggio! was there to help raise awareness of muscle weakness symptoms and encourage those with MG and their family members that a fulfilled life of purpose and joy is possible! 

If ever you pondered whether our loved ones look down on us and bless us after passing to the next world hear this:

At the Memorial Service for 93 year-old Great-Uncle Matthew Ciaramitaro yesterday I told the story of Uncle Matthew, in his quiet and caring way, helped Nonna become independent after her husband/my grandfather passed.  Many relatives had no idea of Uncle Matt’s humble act.  Hours later the Lansing State Journal printed an article featuring Tuesday’s Coraggio! book-signing.  The one paragraph excerpt the LSJ chose out of all the 346 pages?  You guessed it?  Uncle Matt’s story…

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011105010509

Mille Grazie to the Italian American Cultural Society, Clinton Twp, MI for inviting Coraggio to be a part of its Nonna’s Pasta Nite (all u can eat pasta!), Tuesday, April 5, with encore presentation at Senior’s Meeting, April 6, 10 a.m.  http://www.iacsonline.net/calendar.html

Mille Grazie (many thanks) to the Italian Tribune (La Tribuna del Popolo) of Clinton Twp, Mi for its marvelous half-page article on Coraggio!  You made my Bella Nonna’s (beautiful grandmother’s) spirit shine for all!  I am quite sure Nonna is smiling from heaven for your kindness and generosity, and on the many contacts that resulted from the article.