It seems as though there is an Awareness Month for everything these days and often there are so many things to be aware of we have to double, triple even quadruple causes for a given month. Honestly, I wish I didn’t have to be quite so aware, but I am; especially in the month of September. There are 4 causes or conditions close to my heart, so I thought I’d share some of this awareness with all of you!
September is Suicide Awareness Month. Luke is my friend Lee’s son. He was born two months after Alice, so memories of him often pop into my thoughts when my daughter Alice is doing one thing or another. This year was especially emotional as I watched my beautiful daughter graduate high school and go off to college. In the back of mind, I thought of Luke and the reality that he would not be experiencing these same milestones, especially going off to college. Lee and I met in college! Seems so long ago, seems like yesterday. Our dorm rooms were next to other freshman year and we quickly became forever friends. Our children were supposed to start college at the same time. We were supposed to share stories of how it all was going and how we were coping with empty nest syndrome. Instead, I will walk with Lee and her husband Kirk and our other college friends. Yes, we are blessed to have a group of friends from college that have remained close. We will walk for Luke. We will walk for Suicide Awareness. We will walk for Suicide Prevention. Time is weird. Life is hard, but Thank God we have each other and the hope we can make a difference and come Out of the Darkness.
The excerpt below is from a poem by Emily Dickenson and it was printed on our shirts the first year we walked in memory of Luke:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
Consider donating to our walk, Out of the Darkness, to support suicide awareness and prevention.
September is CMT Awareness Month. CMT is the form of muscular dystrophy I have: Charcot-Marie-Tooth. It is a chronic, degenerative disease that effects my nerves. I was diagnosed about 15 years ago. It is manageable, I am lucky it has remained the same for a while now. CMT is named after the three doctors who first identified it. Surprisingly, it is one of the most common inherited nerve disorders. I find that very interesting since no one I know has ever heard of it. Damage to my nerves cause the signals to my muscles to be slow or weak. This causes muscle loss in my feet, legs, and hands. My hands shake, I walk slowly and I have a foot drop. It is annoying but manageable. I am not in pain. Many are. I am lucky to be mobile – Thank God! I keep moving, even if I am slow or look clumsy or drunk!
Want to know more? Check out this link: What Is Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)? – HNF (hnf-cure.org)
September is Gynecological Cancer Month. Yes, this is me too. Two years ago I was diagnosed with Fallopian Tube cancer. I am cancer free at the moment – Thank God! Cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulvar and fallopian tube…..so many cancers fall into this category. Cancer of the reproductive organs, our womanhood, our health! Go to this link for more information and a three minute video on tips regarding Gynecological cancers: Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month | Mayo Clinic Connect.
September is Myasthenia Gravis Month. Never heard of it? Me either, until my friend’s daughter was in the hospital for months as they worked to save her life. And yes, they did save her life – Thank God! She is a beautiful, thriving 19 year old, but this is a life-long auto immune disease that has to be monitored and managed, constantly. It causes muscle weakness and due to the auto immune system not working correctly, requires frequent treatments. Luckily, she has an awesome service dog to help with the anxiety of dealing with the treatments and the worries of living with an autoimmune disease – especially during this time of COVID.
Want to know more about Myasthenia Gravis? Here is some great information: What is Myasthenia Gravis | MG United (mg-united.com)
Want a reason to smile? Check out these puppies! The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs
Finding the Ability to Be Aware….and have Hope.
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