Myasthenia Gravis Awareness month came on the heels of grieving my dear Papa’s passing.  A minor flare in symptoms served as a good reminder of the mind-body connection.  Even though I am consoled by the blessings through his life and his last days, with recognition of facial muscle weakness and inability to draw a deep breath, I made a conscious effort to say out loud each morning and before sleeping,

        “I am well, I am well…All is Well”.

As I affirm that I love every working muscle and every muscle needing a little encouragement, wellness settles into body and soul.

With only four days left of MG Awareness month, I invite you to “Like” the Facebook “Coraggio—Lesson from an Italian Grandmother” page, and while there grab some courage and join me in shouting, “With Courage I Can!”

Extreme heat can worsen symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis.

But did you know that extreme cold can also exacerbate symptoms of this neuromuscular disease?

After diagnosis, it was suggested I to try to select my environs as if a hothouse orchid – moderate temperatures.

With the sub-zero wind howling against my window tonight, this Southern-Italian-blooded girl rather imagines the viticoltore (grapevine grower) who caringly selected the spectacular setting in this photo for his beloved crops.  Nestled along the Naples, Italy, coast, near the homes of cousins Flavio and Daniela Starnone, the soft Mediterranean breeze soothes the plants from the summer heat.  Yet the caretaker of the vines knows the modest winter temperatures will nurture the purplish globe fruit to optimal sugar content and succulence—without bringing harm.

Tonight I am reminded to care for myself as the viticoltore does his grapevines.  It is okay to turn the thermostat up a couple more degrees, nestle under a fluffy comforter with my photo album, and convey myself to a sunny seaside stroll between the rows of a Neapolitan vineyard. Salute and stay warm!

Need a dose of inspiration or hope?

The 2013 Coraggio award is presented to a woman who was diagnosed several decades ago—before there were many treatments for Myasthenia Gravis.  Despite being hospitalized for months she faced her situation with tremendous courage.  Her amazing career and extraordinary MGFA volunteer efforts stems from her philosophy of:

“…maintain a positive attitude about yourself.  Always keep the faith and have hope for a better tomorrow – especially when it appears MG is controlling your life.”  

For the first 15 years after diagnosed, she lived without knowing another MG patient, thus she made her it her mission to connect others with MG.  She used her MG diagnosis to change the world for better—her positive energy and determination resulted in connecting hundreds of people so no patient or caregiver would feel alone in figuring how to live with MG.  Today, because of her courage and resolve in the face of an otherwise devastating illness, we have the local MG Foundation Great Lakes Chapter and several regional Michigan support groups.

To Esther Land, never a more deserving award winner—Bravissimo!

2013 Coraggio Award Winner Esther Land

To answer the questions about other contest entry formats…yes, an “up to 600 word essay” is also an option for the contest. Scroll down on home page, left column, for a copy of the contest info letter posted on www.Myasthenia.org (Also pasted below)

Buona Fortuna!

Today I used my handy pocket camera to work on my 3 min “Tell Your Story” video for the MGFA June Awareness contest. I guess I like to talk a lot because it was difficult to narrow to 3 minutes–so much to say about taking charge of MG and moving forward! I made a second version – by adding some fav photos and Italian music–all keeping it under the four min limit.

I posted both versions on YouTube in case there are suggestions for cutting back on seconds (I’m also trying to shorten the photo display time…hmmm).

Not so sure I’m a contender for the $50 gift certificate prizes but had a lot of chuckles along the way… Today I worked on my 3 min “Tell Your Story” video for the MGFA June Awareness contest. I guess I like to talk a lot because it was difficult to narrow to 3 minutes–so much to say about taking charge of MG and moving forward! I made a second version – by adding some fav photos and Italian music–all keeping it under the four min limit. I posted both versions on YouTube in case there are suggestions for cutting back on seconds. Not so sure I’m a contender for the $50 gift certificate prizes but had a lot of chuckles along the way, tee hee…

Dropped off the Coraggio Basket of Encouragement for next Saturday’s Life as a Zebra Foundation 2nd Annual “Evening to Benefit Invisible Illness Research”. 

If you ever felt as if you were going through a unique part of your life as a zebra among non-zebras–you will understand why the zebra foundation is passionate about helping others! 

The Coraggio gift basket is just one way to support the foundation’s efforts to support living the life you believe in.  The basket is also a great Mother’s Day gift–chock full of Coraggio Books and Italian Cappuccino and treats with which to nestle while reading–and it is already gift-wrapped! 

And to all in the zebra herd…we’ve got your back!

http://www.lifeasazebrafoundation.org/2013-benefit-concert/

Coraggio Basket of Encouragement – Gift Basket for Life as Zebra 2nd Annual Fundraiser

A conscious effort to seek and find good in every interaction and situation, even if challenging or disappointing, has been vital to fostering my inner peace and energetic spirit, as well as achieving fulfillment in my legal careers and charitable works.  Goodness is vital to  a “Can Do”  positive, Coraggio gratitude attitude.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Goodness-Renaissance-Project/104778329611615

Coraggio Basket of Encouragement

Coraggio Basket of Encouragement

For one fortunate bidder at the

Invisible Illnesses Benefit

with Chris Trapper tomorrow night!

Buona Fortuna! (Good Fortune!)

Six days until the Invisible Illnesses Benefit Evening with Chris Trapper and his moving acoustic music!  The courageous Dama sisters are hosting the event to raise awareness of invisible illnesses.  Allie Dama, became seriously ill in 2008 and was finally diagnosed with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), an autoimmune vasculitis.  Katie Dama Jaskolski spent too much of 2010 and 2011 in a wheelchair before being diagnosed with Dysautonomia, an autonomic nervous system disorder, and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) a connective tissue disorder.

Katie and Allie are reaching out to help others, despite their diseases. Katie contacted Chris to tell him his song Avalanche helped him through her long struggle for diagnosis, and later asked him to headline the fundraiser – he agreed and will fly in from his home in Boston for the Saturday night, East Lansing event!  There will be a cameo Coraggio appearance as well!  See you there!  http://iie.lifeasazebra.com/

A tremendous thank you to Amy Calk Smith for bringing to my attention that the With Courage I Can! Coraggio! video from the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America 2011 Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland, is available online:

http://vimeo.com/32316620