Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Meanwhile, my husband had a birthday. Not just a birthday, but a big one - the big 50. While I was in event planning mode, I organized a surprise birthday party for him the following weekend. It was a surprise, show up when you want to after 3pm, BBQ. Again, Mother Nature and God provided us with exceptional weather!

Michael had friends there that he's known most his life, a motorcyle riding buddy, colleagues from previous jobs, neighbors and new friends. People just kept coming around the corner throughout the day. Dan, our neighbor gave Michael a shotsky. It was the hit of the party! Everyone was taking shots all afternoon and evening.

Michael was surprised! Yeah, another successful event.










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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

First off, I would like to thank all my friends and family for your donations and support to the Reclaiming Ourselves Hope After Stroke 3K Walk Libby and I organized on May 8, 2010 at Point Defiance, Owen Beach in Tacoma, WA. Our goals were to raise awareness about strokes especially in young adults and to fundraise benefiting National Stroke Association. What a great day it turned out to be for many reasons up here in WA!

The weather was about 65-70 degrees without a cloud in the sky and no threat of rain. Michael was the emcee for the day. We had 110+ walkers register for our event. About a dozen were young adult stroke survivors. Over 80% of the people attending the event knew someone affected by stroke.

I set up Firstgiving websites for both Libby and I to accept online donations. We sold t-shirt, wristbands, raffle tickets, accepted checks and had a donation tin. Along with registration fees, we raised over $7K! It was an awesome day with amazing results considering it was put together in about two months.

I contacted local vendors and asked for their help. AAParty Rentals donated 100 chairs. A local Seattle-based band named Blue 55 donated their time and rocked out at our event. Between both Party City and Party World, we had 5 dozen purple, inflated balloon donated for decorations. Starbucks donated coffee for us. Fedex Office donated a custom 3x5 banner. Crystal Springs donated 9 cases of water. Honey Bucket even donated a port-o-potty. Costco donated a gift card for us to use and we purchase snacks for the event. The National Stroke Association provided us with educational literature about strokes. Tacoma General Hospital provided a custom banner with our logo. We had local vendors, merchants and restaurants along the Tacoma waterfront donate gifts for our raffle. Our raffle prizes ranged between $40-$200.

Curtis created all the logos and banners for us. They are awesome! Thank you Curtis. He even flew up to WA and surprised me for the week and helped me with last minute details. Thank you for that!!


The day started with registration/check-in at 10am. We had Dr. Brian Kott, M.D. from Tacoma General Hospital as our guest speaker at 11am. Libby and I also addressed the crowd and thanked them for their support and participation. Then our walk began at 12noon.


Everyone received a purple goodie bag with their registration. In it contained a purple, custom wristband saying RECLAIMING OURSELVES, one purple Mardi Gras bead necklace, a party popper, a granola bar, and stroke literature a contact information.

Acting as their own starter's gun, on the count of three everyone popped their party popper in the air! It was awesome!



Starting at Owen Beach, the 3K route took us along the beautiful waterfront Promenade of Commencement Bay while enjoying a breathtaking view of Mt. Rainier towards the Boathouse Marina and made a U-turn. At the U-turn, everyone received a second purple Mardi Gras necklace. The course distance of 3K equals 1.8 miles.

My friend Tina and I RAN the event. Once we made the U-turn, I was able to high-5 everyone on my way back to the finish line. What a way to show there is HOPE AFTER STROKE!


At the finish line, Libby and I awarded everyone their third and final necklace.


We met both our goals. We raised awareness about strokes and we raised a lot of money for National Stroke Association!

To view all 300+ pictures, go to www.RO3K.shutterfly.com

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Sunday, April 25, 2010

Here I am, one week after I ran my first 5K. Michael and I flew down to CA for a short trip not only spend the day with his friends Pete and Karen on Saturday, but to do the Run Through Redlands on Sunday.

Dave ran the 1/2 marathon, Cherilyn ran the 10K (she ran 20 miles the day before), Dennis, Terry, Curtis, Alanna, Haether, Michael and I ran the 5K. Curtis pushed me the entire race. "Just run to the tree, just run to the shade, just run to the car, just run...." With his help, I finished the race in 44:26, just under my goal of 45 minutes for 3.2 miles. Now the bar is set, I have a gal to beat for my next race and my next, and my next...





In two more weeks, I have my Hope After Stroke 3K Walk benefitting National Stroke Association. We have a band who has volunteered to play and entertain the crowd for free. We have a guest speaker, Dr. Brian Kott M.D. for our event. Lots of sponsors, donors and volunteers. I had purple silicone wristbands made saying "Reclaiming Ourselves". I had t-shirts made for our event with the 3K logo Curtis created. I'm giving them to our volunteers the night before our event at our pizza party. It really is coming together.

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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

At the time of my last blog entry, my support group Reclaiming Ourselves had it's first meeting. I say "my" group but it's really "our" group. I started it along with my friend Libby Schnabel who also had a stroke. Technically it's "our" support group. But because this is my blog, I'll refer to it as my group. I just wanted to clarify that.

My life has completely changed in such a positive way and continues to change since the concept was born to start this support group. I feel so fulfilled to be making a difference in people's lives.

Since my last entry, I've been so busy with the RO support group, creating and managing the http://www.reclaimingourselves.com/ website, working with the National Stroke Association, Facebook, IRS, PayPal, Chase, training to run (haha ok, jog!) a 5K in Southern CA in a few weeks, and oh yeah ~ organizing our first Reclaiming Ourselves Hope After Stroke 3K Walk. Our event is a fundraiser for National Stroke Association in addition to raising awareness that strokes do not age discriminate and it does happen to young adults.

Thank you Michael and Curtis for the logo ideas and putting them on the computer. They are great and I wouldn't change a thing! There are three logos. One is the face of a clock. The hands of time are going counter-clockwise to symbolize we are trying to turn back time to reclaim ourselves. The font style is "fun" therefore, we chose the "Happy Days" looking font. The other logo is our road banner. This shows our slogan "Our Journey On The Road To Recovery". And the final logo is for our 3K walk.

Let me tell you a little about our Reclaiming Ourselves.
Slogan:
Our Journey On The Road To Recovery

Description:
Reclaiming Ourselves is a stroke survivor support group geared towards young adults under 50 and their families.

Mission Statement:
To promote peer support and encouragement for young adult stroke survivors who strive to reclaim the lifestyles and activities once enjoyed prior to stroke.


Info about the Hope After Stroke 3K Walk
Donations and Sponsorship for Reclaiming Ourselves are gladly accepted and will be used towards the success of this fundraising event. See Donate button above (top upper left of page)
Donations directly to National Stroke Association are gladly accepted through the following secure website. www.firstgiving.com/karendionne

The walk itself will be held, rain or shine, on May 8, 2010. Starting at Owen Beach in Tacoma, WA, the 3K route will take us along the beautiful waterfront Promenade of Commencement Bay while enjoying a breathtaking view of Mt. Rainier to the Boathouse Marina and make a U-turn. The course distance is 3K=1.8 miles.
Point Defiance Park, Owen Beach
+47.312867, -122.528495

We've contacted all the local media about our event. Our guest speaker is Dr. Brian Kott. He's a bit of a celebrity up here in the medical world. Sounds like we even have a blues band who is willing to donate their time and entertainment for our event. Kinko's offered to donate a 3x5 banner which will be awesome! Crytal Springs offered to donate all the water for our event. AA Party Rentals may even donate chairs for our event. Things are coming together. I'm proud of what we've done so far!

Our 3rd support group meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. We have another gentleman in our group named Danny. We enjoy having him come to the meetings with his wife and Mother-In-Law. With all of the advertising we've done, I'm sure more members will join.

Now for the BIG news! National Stroke Association did an interview over the phone with both Libby and me. They are going to write a feature article about us in their Nationwide publication of StrokeSmart magazine. It highlights our stories, how we met, how we are doing now, and what we are doing on a positive level to help others. It should come out by this summer.

Now, for the BIGGER news! The FDA just approved botox as a possibly use for some patients who suffer from uppler limb spasticity (ULS) which is what I have in my left hand. Allergan Pharaceutical is partnering with not only the National Stroke Association, but National Multiple Sclerosis Society, United Cerebral Palsy, Brain Injury Resource Center and National Spinal Cord Injury Association for a Nationwide media campaign promoting this approved new treatment. The National Stroke Association recommended me to Allergan as a possible Local Ambassador for their media campaign. Rina from Allergan contacted me yesterday and she asked if I'd be interested in such an honor. Of course I said yes. Allergan may fly me to New York next week for a summit meeting with all the chosen local ambassador representatives from each Association for training. How amazing is that!? I'm so excited I could burst!

God truly does open doors. We just need the courage and strength to embrace change, turn the doorknob and walk through. Look how I got here!


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Friday, February 20, 2010

Man, this has been a busy year. Tomorrow, Libby and I will attend a support group meeting for young adults up in Seattle. Gerrit, the leader has been a great resource so far and I look forward to the friendship that will form.



I have been learning how to do websites. Not very well, but effectively. I never professed to be a webmaster. But I'm glad to learn how to do one.



In addition to our support group we've started, we are organizing a 5k walk in May for Stroke Awareness Month. Our date and location will be finalized on Monday after hearing confirmation from one of our guest speakers.



Meanwhile, I called Stroke.org regarding the registration of our meeting on their website. I sent in a fax with a cover letter describing my friendship with Libby and how it formed. She was touched by our story and asked if we'd be interested in being published in their StrokeSmart magazine quarterly publication. Ahh, let me think...heck yeah! In addition, I asked if I could possibly advertise our walk in their next issue in April. Better late than never. So I would love to see that happen!



God has just really opened up so many doors for us lately. Coincidences are when God wants to remain anonymous. But I see so much of His handy work lately it's too obvious to ignore.

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Friday, February 12, 2010

It's official, our website is up and running. It's a work in progress. But the link to our support group is http://www.reclaimingourselves.com/ (open in a new window)

Libby and I are both excited able the possibilities this will expose.

We are working on obtaining the National Stroke Association as our primary sponsor. More sponsors pending. We've received the approval from Crystal Springs to donate water for our 5k stroke awareness walk this summer. Honey Buckets were also donated. We need to set a date and confirm a location. But we are looking at Point Defiance in Tacoma. Next we are looking to become a non-profit organization. We'd like to raise donations for the stroke association.

I contacted a gentleman in Seattle who runs a support group. He will be a valuable resource.

I'm excited about 2010 and what God has in store for us.

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Thursday, February 11, 2010

Man, what a busy month February is turning out to be too. One of my birthday presents was a gift certificate for dance lessons at Arthur Murray. I was so excited. It included three private lessons, two group lessons, then a group dance party. So far, we've done two private lessons and one group lesson. We've learned swing dancing, the rumba, the waltz, turning and spinning. What a kick! We're having a blast.

And last week, my friend Libby and I started a stroke support group geared for young adult stroke survivors and their families. We had another member join our group and it was a great and warming experience to help others. I did further research this week and found another support group geared for young adults in north Seattle, 50 miles from here. I contacted the group leader and we bonded right away. He will be a valuable resource to us.

So I'm excited for what lies ahead with dancing and this support group. And, I'm trying to get on the treadmill daily. So my time is filling up quickly and the possibilites of more new things this year are endless. Just how I imagined this year to be after turning 40.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Wow, January just flew by! What a busy month it was.

For my 40th birthday, we flew to CA for a few days to spend time with some family and friends before heading to Mexico.

On my actual birthday, I walked a 5K in the morning, then went shoe shopping followed by dinner that evening.

On Saturday, we went indoor skydiving in Perris. There was eight of us that did it - Dave, Cherilyn, Dennis, Terry, Curtis, Alanna, Michael and me. We got a 5 minute quick lesson on what to expect, learn some hand signals for communication in the tunnel, and correct body positioning. Afterwards, we suited up! It was a total kick that all of us got to do it. I felt I could actually jump out of a plane after doing it.




Once we got back home, I was greeted with a surprise party! It was wonderful to see so many faces I had not seen in years from the Disney Travel Co. to Pacific Palms Resort, to Denys' family, NoBadDays Racing friends and even friends I'd known for 20 years. We had an awesome time all night!

On Sunday, Michael and I went to Mom's church to visit her friends. It was such a joy to see them again although sad to learn of more they have lost. Mom was very happy there at that church.

For lunch, we drove out to have lunch with Skip and Judy. I haven't really seen them in years and I thought it would be nice to spend some time with them. Michael and I even took Alanna so she could meet and spend time with them.

Next on the agenda was Puerta Vallarta, Mexico for the rest of the week. We stayed at the Dreams Resort which was an all-inclusive resort with a private beach. Our room was on the 7th floor with an ocean view. The sliding glass door not only opened, the entire wall to our balcony opened! So we spent the entire week with the glass wall opened listening to the waves crash below us. Very nice! On the balcony was a jacuzzi too.



One afternoon, we rented jet skiis and rode them on the open ocean. I had never done that before. We raced each other at wide open speeds of 45 mph. Michael couldn't catch me.

Another afternoon we went into town and rented ATV's and rode into the jungle. Again, I had never ridden an ATV but I did well with this. We had to drive through town to get out to the road that led us away. Our tour lasted 3 hours. That was a fun experience.

Other afternoons we spent either in the pool, or in town walking the malecon for shopping. Mother Nature provided us with great weather the entire trip averaging 85 all week.

It was sad to come home to 40 degrees. This January has been the warmest on record for Seattle. So we've got that going for us. Wonder what that will mean for summer.

Now that I'm home, I'm getting focused on other things to keep busy. This Thursday my friend Libby and I have stated a stroke support group for young adults called Reclaiming Ourselves. She suffered a stroke 2 years ago at the age of 27. We live about 7 miles apart and we've formed a bond and a friendship. So together we've started a support group. This summer we hope to organize a 5K walk to raise awareness that strokes do not discriminate with age and that it does happen to young people.

Next on the horizon, dance lessons!

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Cont. of Monday January 4, 2010

We are looking forward to our next vacation adventure. Next week I'll be turning 40. To celebrate, we are flying to CA to spend it with family and friends for a few days. Michael has some surprises planned as his response to questions about what we are doing is "leave it alone." Hmmm. But he has be encouraging me to skydive while in CA. Lordy, that scares me to death. I won't do it alone and I requested someone equally as scared. Not sure if Dennis is, but he has said he'd do it with me. So we'll see. Stay tuned...

Afterwards, we are heading on to Puerto Vallarta for a week. I hope the warm weather will help relax my left hand again like our last trip to Cabo. I was able to swim again (wasn't able to in Cozumel - too soon).

We are going to try snorkling too since we have not been able to on any of our last trips. Michael used to scuba dive so this is elementary to him. But he is willing to do this for me. I love him :)

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Monday, January 4, 2010

Happy New Year! Another decade gone by. So much has happened over the years. It's been fun walking down Memory Lane...

Let's see, I've moved a few times - from La Puente, CA to Corona, CA back to La Puente, CA then to Graham, WA.

I changed jobs a few times - from Walt Disney Travel to The Disneyland Resort in Special Events where I was on the grand opening team with Lori for both Disney's California Adventure (DCA) and Downtown Disney (DTD), to First American Real Estate Solutions, to Pacific Palms Conference Resort, then to Allied Home Mortgage.

I even got my AAS degree in Medical Real-time transcription from South Coast College.



I had the privilege of spending the day at CA Speedway with my friend Kristen Rossow doing a Marlboro sponsored Hot Laps event. We rode laps in a Nascar, did a road course track and burned rubber drafting. Even got to sit in an open wheel Formula race car. It was a blast!
It was here that I got to meet Rick Mears. He is one of three men to win the Indianapolis 500 four times (1979, 1984, 1988, 1991). Mears is also a 3-time Champcar national champion (1979, 1981 and 1982). He holds the record for pole positions at the Indy 500 (6).

That day sparked an idea in Michael for my 36th birthday present. This was 40 laps of me driving my own Nascar at Irwindale Speedway. It was so fun and lots of hard work!




Recreationally, I learned to golf and play tennis. I also played co-ed softball with my favorite team - Last Chance. My calculations show that I was on that team for 14 years. Softball came to an end in March 2007. Tennis I have not tried in a while, except for Wii.
Golf has come to a halt - Although I've played 9 holes since March 2007 with Curtis and Alanna.


Then, my life suddenly changed in an instant. I suffered a terrible hemorrhagic stroke in March 2007 which left me with paralysis on my entire left side. My first ride in a helicopter was when I was air-lifted to ICU to a trauma hospital in Seattle, WA - Harborview Medical. I was in a wheel chair for a couple of weeks, then used a walker for a few days, then a four-point cane, then a single-point cane, then had to learn to walk again without the use of any assistance. It's been almost three years now, my gait is ok but not great, I walk with a limp which I can't seem to control due to pain, and I still cannot use my left hand with any fine motor skills. I used to type 80wpm, now I type with one hand, my right.


I got married on July 7, 2007 to Michael four months post-stroke. I was able to "walk down the aisle" with aid on the arm of my brother Randy.


I walked my first 5K for Revlon Womens Cancers with Lori, Cindy, Tracy and Alanna. I raised over $2,100 to help find a cure.

I've been blessed to travel a lot. Destinations and trips in no particular order include:

• Glasgow, KY a few times this decade. One was in 2002 shown below with Sammy, Jacob and Matt.

• Cabo San Lucas for my 35th birthday (thank you for that surprise Michael!)
  Many trips flying back and forth from CA to Seattle. I saw some amazing things from the plane. Here is one shot of Mt Rainier, WA.

A food and wine festival in Scottsdale, AZ with Brad and Heather Buss.

A road trip with Michael down the WA and OR coastline back up to visit Mt Saint Helens 4 days before it started to bubble again after being dormant for 26 years (1980 vs 2006)

A road trip with Dave and Curtis from Redlands to Oklahoma City, OK to see Randy and swap motorcycles (we made it there and back in just under 48 hours swaping drivers every two hours).

Another road trip from La Puente, CA to Glasgow, KY with Randy and Cindy so Randy could have Mom's 4-door white Honda Accord (she bought a new 2-door blue Honda Accord)

Another road trip from La Puente, CA to Glasgow, KY with Michael to deliver that 2-door blue Honda Accord to Randy so Mom could buy a newer 4-door Honda Accord. We visited Beale Street in Memphis, TN (loved it!) and Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN (loved it!) with Randy and his family.

Many wonderful trips to the Roundhouse in San Felipe, MX. Never get enough of those.

A roadtrip home with Michael from San Felipe, MX through Ensenada and Tijuana with Steve and Olivia Jirsa.

A road trip to La Paz, MX chasing Dave in the Baja 1000. That was an awesome trip with the exception of Dave's truck motor blowing up in Baja on the return trip home (had to be towed), and Blackie the racetruck motor blowing up just as we crossed the border into CA (had to be towed).

Another road trip from Seattle, WA to Plaster City, CA for Dave's off-road race 31Dec2008. We are so sorry to have missed him take the championship 31Dec2009. We got stuck in a snow/ice storm in Portland, OR and the pass at the Siskiyou mountain range was closed.

Michael surprised me with our honeymoon trip to Cozumel, MX. He told me we were going to Antartica.

• We even went on a cruise to Alaska for our 2nd wedding anniversary. Michael's parents took the entire family for a week. It was also their 50th wedding anniversary July 10, 2007.

But my favorite memory this decade was when Michael and I drove from Seattle to La Puente for Easter to surprise Mom only 4 weeks after my stroke. Flying was not an option says my neurologist due to the swelling in my brain caused by the excess blood. She said driving would be ok. I figured if I was going to have another stroke it could happen anywhere and I wanted to see Mom so we drove. We arrived in Riverside Friday night to stay with Curtis and Sharyl. The next morning we went to Mom's. We pulled into her driveway. She started to stir in the house wondering who was there. Michael got out and walked around the car and opened the passenger side door. I struggled to get out of the car since I was still learning to walk again. I had to use my cane. My left hand was still curled like a gorilla claw. One slow step at a time I walked into 1309. Mom greeted me with a strong hug like never before. Tears were in both our eyes. I think we both realized at that moment just how bad things were for both of us. She couldn't take care of me and I couldn't take care of her anymore. Sadly, she was diagnosed with breast cancer on March 1, 2007 one day before my stroke. She felt her devestating diagnosis caused my stroke. She would loose her battle with cancer only 4 months later on Aug 11, 2007.

We visited all day at her house. The next morning was Easter so we all went to church with Mom. After church we visited with Mom's friends. Seeing the family in Redlands was next. So we drove up the driveway in Redlands. People were millowing around in the garage area. We pulled up and I remember seeing Uncle Don first. He came over to the passenger side to open my door. I've never seen him look so surprised and happy to see me. He gave me the biggest hug ever. Tears were in both our eyes and he looked at me in disbelief. I got out of the car using my cane again. This time, I'm getting tired easily due to the long car ride down plus seeing Mom plus church so I needed to sit down. We stayed and visited for the day knowing we needed to head home the next day. Like I said, it was my favorite trip ever and I wouldn't change a moment of it.

Goodbye 2009. I look forward to the start of 2010 and a new decade of memories!

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