Archives
This is the Archive for October 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Finding Ourselves in Bariloche, ARGENTINA, Aspen's own Sister City
| Taking the 8 ½ plus 6 ½ hour bus marathon from Conception to Osorno, in Chile onwards to Bariloche in Argentina paid off. The entrance to this mountain town reminded us of our first encounter in Aspen, this time though its spectacular counterpart in the southern hemisphere surrounded by the snowcapped mountains and |
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| one of the most amazing lakes in the World around it. Immediately after rolling of the bus I felt good. Followed by a 30 min. cab ride from the bus station to the Cerro Catedral ski resort, passing through the city of Bariloche, which are respectively 5 and 16 miles separated from each other; the entire road winds through a mix of breath taking lakeshore drive, quaint Argentinean Alps town and wild Patagonia high alpine terrain. | |
[ Read More... ] | Posted at 10:23 AM • 1 comment |
Monday, October 22, 2007
A Day In The Life
What a trip... Every adventure gets better while I continue to get stronger. WOW! I had just gotten off the plane and had time to take an hour nap when Jaime puts us in the car for our first road trip. Together, we checked out Vina del Mar, Valparaiso and his 'madres pad' in Renaca -a beautiful apartment overlooking the Pacific. What a dream...to see and hear the ocean with the sea lions, taste the food (we love the empanadas and pisco sours), from places only a local can take you to. Our time in Santiago was most excellent.
Our trip continued as we hailed a cab from a street corner outside Jaime's apartment to the Santiago subway to the bus station where we would catch the bus for a four hour bus ride with destination Conception; where we are meeting Danno's cousin Paul. Traveling on public transport in South America is not too difficult, but you definitely have to keep your cool and have patience. Imagine, nobody speaks English, it's rush hour (time for work), in a wheelchair holding a backpack and 2 grocery bags of food (I bring a fiber cereal, coffee, lunch and some snacks everywhere I go since my sensitive metabolism requires an uncompromisingly regular diet).
Leah, our friend Jaime, and Danno on the Pacific Ocean in Renaca
Our trip continued as we hailed a cab from a street corner outside Jaime's apartment to the Santiago subway to the bus station where we would catch the bus for a four hour bus ride with destination Conception; where we are meeting Danno's cousin Paul. Traveling on public transport in South America is not too difficult, but you definitely have to keep your cool and have patience. Imagine, nobody speaks English, it's rush hour (time for work), in a wheelchair holding a backpack and 2 grocery bags of food (I bring a fiber cereal, coffee, lunch and some snacks everywhere I go since my sensitive metabolism requires an uncompromisingly regular diet).
[ Read More... ] | Posted at 08:31 PM • 1 comment |
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Stayin' Healthy In Any Language
| I have arrived in Chile, one week ago yesterday, and I have already experienced so much. After many travels, this trip my goal is to stay healthy on the road. In the past I have thought vacation was a time to take a break from my daily routine and circumstances. This is NOT true, no matter where in the world I am or what language is spoken, I am always paralyzed. | ||
Determined to enjoy, my first struggle starts with breakfast...they don't eat breakfast!! Without breakfast my bowels don't move and I have my first major issue. To overcome this obstacle Danno and I create our own morning meal. At the market we found a fiber cereal (hard to do because there is only 5 different types to choose from), a bag of raisins...low and behold raisin bran. |
[ Read More... ] | Posted at 08:48 AM • Add comments |
Saturday, October 06, 2007
You Can Do It
When you put your mind to it you really CAN do anything.
Four weeks ago I was crying to Danno, while folding laundry, telling him how I wanted to go to India for stem cell therapy. He told me you can't get stem cells standing there crying...call the doctor, do your research, find the answers, go after your dreams. Today, I'm at home, and I'm tired but, extremely excited and filled with hope!! It really is happening... I will be a patient of Dr. Geeta Shroff.
In the last month I have found a group of friends that have volunteered their time to bring awareness to the community about stem cells as well as to help me raise the money needed for the medical expenses.
This week we had a major rally and we are well under way.
Ed Armstrong launched the website.
Carly Hedrich finished the brochure, all the designs and layouts.
Laura Herman has been all over the editing.
Elizabeth Powers is working on the silent auction.
Betty Hoops and Tom Brinkmeyer are there for whatever needs to done...
This has been such a huge learning experience, but as I continue I feel I'm on the right path with sooo much love and support from all. Thank you.
Four weeks ago I was crying to Danno, while folding laundry, telling him how I wanted to go to India for stem cell therapy. He told me you can't get stem cells standing there crying...call the doctor, do your research, find the answers, go after your dreams. Today, I'm at home, and I'm tired but, extremely excited and filled with hope!! It really is happening... I will be a patient of Dr. Geeta Shroff.
In the last month I have found a group of friends that have volunteered their time to bring awareness to the community about stem cells as well as to help me raise the money needed for the medical expenses.
This week we had a major rally and we are well under way.
Ed Armstrong launched the website.
Carly Hedrich finished the brochure, all the designs and layouts.
Laura Herman has been all over the editing.
Elizabeth Powers is working on the silent auction.
Betty Hoops and Tom Brinkmeyer are there for whatever needs to done...
This has been such a huge learning experience, but as I continue I feel I'm on the right path with sooo much love and support from all. Thank you.
| Posted at 05:33 PM • Add comments |
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Aspen Club & Spa 10th Anniversary Benefit Dec 18, 2007
Save the date for the 10th Anniversary of the Aspen Club & Spa starting at 4:30pm til close. They will be having a Re-Grand Opening Party to raise awareness of Stem Cell Research in our community that will benefit both Amanda Boxtel and I.
I hope to see you there for food, drinks, music and special guest speakers including Amanda & myself. My first speech...both nervous & excited!
Check out the party announcement that Casey McConnell made at the Aspen Club & Spa web site here.
I hope to see you there for food, drinks, music and special guest speakers including Amanda & myself. My first speech...both nervous & excited!
Check out the party announcement that Casey McConnell made at the Aspen Club & Spa web site here.
| Posted at 08:07 PM • Add comments |
Monday, October 01, 2007
On February 13, 1999, my life changed.
I was skiing at Eldora Mountain outside of Boulder, Colorado. We were taking our second run of the day when I fell, hit my head on a tree, and broke my neck. More specifically, I sustained a C-5 burst fracture and a half-inch bruise on the left side of my spinal cord. Within an instant, I was paralyzed from my chest down. I was Life-Flighted to St. Anthony's Hospital in Denver where I stayed for two weeks undergoing surgery and trying to familiarize myself with my "new body".
After St. Anthony's I was moved to Craig Rehabilitation Hospital where they said I would never walk again. I still could not move from the chest down, not even to cough or sneeze. For the next three months I gradually regained some use of my body; spending days learning how to sit up and balance, simple daily activities were impossible to perform I had to reach deep within myself to find the determination and courage to continue my journey.
After St. Anthony's I was moved to Craig Rehabilitation Hospital where they said I would never walk again. I still could not move from the chest down, not even to cough or sneeze. For the next three months I gradually regained some use of my body; spending days learning how to sit up and balance, simple daily activities were impossible to perform I had to reach deep within myself to find the determination and courage to continue my journey.
[ Read More... ] | Posted at 07:46 AM • Add comments |