If ever there was a person who embodied courage despite a seemingly hopeless situation, it is Marilyn Andersen.  

Myasthenia gravis caused weakness in her diaphragm to the extent she was hospitalized and needed a ventilator to assist with breathing. Despite being told she would need a ventilator for the rest of her life Marilyn never gave up her determination to return home and to 100% of the activities that brought joy to her life.  When a visiting nurse told her about a “diaphragm pacer” she didn’t stop until she met with the inventor-surgeon at Cleveland Clinic and convinced him to use it on the first MG patient ever!

Marilyn turned her gratitude for the success of the diaphragm pacer into motivation to tell as many people as possible about the device which acts similar to a pacemaker and stimulates her weakened diaphragm so that the ventilator is not necessary.

The demonstration of Coraggio spirit, to bravely take charge of the aspects of a dire situation you can control, to maintain an attitude of joy and gratitude, and to believe that you can live a positive and fulfilling life, makes Marilyn Andersen a truly remarkable recipient of the 2017 Coraggio Spirit Award.

2017 Coraggio Spirit Award Winner Marilyn Anderson, with Lisa, at the MG-MI Annual Conference in East Lansing

Marilyn with diaphragm pacemaker device-No more ventilator!

…and grateful for an Italian Grandmother’s cannoli recipe, passed on to her great-grandchildren by Aunt Laura. Fresh ricotta from Nino’s Italian store whisked by Michael, secret ingredient orange zest by Madison, shells stuffed by Ryan, and ends sealed in chocolate by Makenzie.

Grateful for Mothers…

Celebrating a new www.WithCourageICan.com website in time to honor Mother’s Day and the inspirational examples of courage my Nonna, Mother, and Nagymama showed me. Those lessons formed the Coraggio Book Series theme: Be Happy ~ Be Healthy ~ Take Charge of Your Attitude ~ Take Charge of Your Health ~ Have No Excuses ~ Have a Gratitude Attitude.

Check out the 30 to 60 second videos for each of the books and a 5^th as overview of the Coraggio message. http://www.withcourageican.com/about/  I humbly ask: Would you share the WithCourageICan.com website with friends and those you believe might need a dose of Coraggio inspiration and hope? Would you like this page if you haven’t already? http://www.withcourageican.com/about/

Mille grazie to http://soandco.net/ Digital for exhibiting its mission of passion to foster a society of harmony through web design, and to https://innersunrise.com/ for the web designer referral as well as for tools for tranquility while moving throughout the website build.

Enjoy a cup of hot tea and Coraggio! Inspiration at the Cadillac Authors’ Luncheon

March 4, 2017

Spigot top water bottle

For any one with difficulties opening or securing water bottles but determined to keep your NY resolution to drink more water…this spigot top really helps protect joints! I voted it my fav “arthritis-defeater” Christmas gift of 2016. Thanks godson Anthony Wroblewski for your thoughtfulness!

An early Christmas miracle for me!

This week’s successful surgery to repair my knee prosthesis with a part the FDA approved for one-time compassionate use. GRATEFUL for Univ. of Michigan Orthopedic Surgery, family, and friends who shepherded me on wings of expertise, care, and prayers.

Mille Grazie Michigan Creative for the exciting day of filming video shorts to spread the message within each Coraggio book: Courage to Take Charge Despite Illness or Loss, Courage to Believe in Miracles, Courage to Conquer Pain, and Courage to Honor People with Disabilities and at the End of Life.

Filming the messages also served as a different kind of lens…for me to use GRATITUDE as the lens through which to view the events unfolding in my life, especially the most challenging of events, for gratitude will show me the way to live through the challenge with purpose and joy.

Rest in Peace Jen Walsh.

Your courageous advocacy in the face of persistent myasthenia gravis, and your similarities to the Coraggio story of loss of mom at an early age, Italian Nonna who provided motherly love, and a myasthenia diagnosis, earned you the First Annual Coraggio Award.

Your relentless efforts to help others with MG will be greatly missed.

Feel my gratitude from your heavenly perch.

My dose of courage for the day?  Meeting Jamie Spore, Ms. Wheelchair Michigan, prior to her recognition on the Michigan House Floor.

competition platform was:

 “To empower others to persevere with hope through life’s challenges.”

Jamie’s words, example, and beaming smile charged me with inspiration and encouragement.