Inaugural Opioid and Pain Conference focused on engaging the community with innovative strategies to manage pain and collaborative initiatives to combat the opioid crisis. I am grateful to facilitate two panels important to me: 1) State of-the-art approaches to managing pain without narcotics, and 2) Recovery-oriented criminal justice efforts which can foster not just an absence of criminal behavior but help to restore a human being to a fully functional life. Tomorrow at Michigan State University.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-capital-area-pain-opioid-conference-tickets-59774003654

Preparing lentils as do my cousins in Hungary to beckon a Szilveszter (New Year) of good fortune.

(Lentils symbolizing many coins in your pocket.)

Hungarian New Year Lentils with smoked paprika

May lasting health, positivity, peace, and joy pervade your New Year and New Decade!

Shout-out to Schuler Books in Okemos for small/local business Saturday!

Schuler Books has been a supporter of Coraggio books since their releases.

Schuler Books promotes Coraggio books’ spiral-binding that helps people with disabilities more easily read a book–by shelving on an end cap or cover forward–while other bookstores prefer books with a title on the binding that can be compactly shelved. Missed Small Business Saturday? Consider shopping for one of many unique items at Schuler Books & Music any time this month.

Have courage to discover and believe in your Miracle of Hope! 

There is always Hope…

You are Never Alone!

        Hope Restores Women’s            Conference                  Lansing Center

Coraggio!

Hope Restores! Come-two weeks from today-charge your spirit and mind!

Hear Coraggio: Courage to Believe in the Miracle of Hope

and other dynamic women talk of hope and love that will uplift the most weary or worried of souls!

https://www.lansingdiocesecwc.org/

    Hope Restores Women’s Conference 2019

Promoting FREE Naloxone/Narcan day. Luke, the Rite Aid pharmacist, was great.  Gave me my free box of 2 with no questions asked, no prescription, and showed me how to use.  

As a Michigan Prescription Drug Abuse Commission member, we learned that 130 people a DAY die from opioid abuse in the U.S. This nasal spray can reverse an overdose while happening. I added link to an article with how-to-use video and a list of pharmacies providing free kit today, Sat. 9/14.

Naloxone / Narcan kit

https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2019/09/12/free-narcan-naloxone-michigan-pharmacies/2154597001/

Today is the National Day of Encouragement!
There is still time to offer a word of hope
or a gesture that will have a
positive impact on a person’s spirit.
Who knows?
Your acts of encouragement may have the effect of uplifting you as well!

Look beyond the grey of rainy days to find the beauty blossoming because of them…I spotted these delicate beauties after this week’s rains. Hope. Always.

“We do what we must” is the motto of the 2019 Coraggio Spirit Award recipient. “Assuming this is my one life and one chance to fight for it, so I must keep trying.” is her message. “I must keep trying.” is a foundation of the Coraggio theme to take charge of any aspect of a dire situation. With 5 intubations for breathing and 8 weeks of hospitalization because of myasthenia already this year, Ashley uses humor and positive messages in Facebook posts or with those she meets. For her courageous determination do what she must to take charge for her one life and one chance to fight for it, Ashley Cotten is awarded MG-MI’s 2019 Coraggio spirit award!