NATIONAL MOBILITY AWARENESS MONTH LOCAL HERO CONTEST
May is National Mobility Awareness Month and NMEDA IS celebrating Local Heroes all across North America. They will be giving away a minimum of three Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles to a caregiver, veteran or person with a disability that is dealing with or overcoming mobility challenges.
I was nominated by my 13 year old Godson as his hero. Please read the story he submitted and if you feel we deserve to win click the link and vote. We also need your help by sharing this story also. Please use promo code 900 and I will receive 5 bonus vote. You can vote once every 24 hours until May 13, 2012.
Thank you for your time!
http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/florida/fort-myers/395/mary-ann-clay-schumm
My Godmother was in the hospital for 7 months, 2 months of it was spent in the Intensive Care Unit. She has a very rare disease called
Hyperandrenergic Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Hyper P.O.T.S. for short. Every time she sits up or tries to stand up her heart rate goes over 200 beats per minute and her blood pressure climbs to 300/180. The Doctors told her she would not live to see her next birthday, that was 2 years ago. I watched her in her darkest hours give support to everyone around her and not once think of herself. Her strength and determination to find a cure makes her my HERO! It's very sad for my little sister and I to see her like this. She used to do so much with us. Every year she would help organize and run our Community Fall Festival which raises money for the needy. Now, I'm hoping to help give back to her. Everyday my Godmother lives her life in either a reclined or laying position just to keep her heart rate somewhat controlled. She is only allowed to walk 4 time a day, 1 minute at a time. But, she does not let that stop her. She teaches us how to paint, cook, and do so many different crafts. Most of all she has taught my sister and I to never give up. The local Doctors have either not heard of the disease or do not know how to treat it and some just don't want to be bothered. It just is not right to leave someone with no help or hope. She has found a few Doctors out of state that are willing to help but she is not allowed to fly. She does have a special wheelchair made to let her lay flat, but we have no way to transport her in it. I know that if she could get to some of the big city hospitals someone, somewhere would be able to help her get some kind of quality of life back. She spends so much time searching for a cure that I know in my heart that some day she will educate Doctors and make sure others will not have to suffer like she has, and if you ask me why she would, I'd tell you "That's just how she ROLLS"
http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/florida/fort-myers/395/mary-ann-clay-schumm
Mary Ann, I found you blog on Mary's you tube channel today. Your cards are beautiful! It's wonderful to see how you have not let POTS prevent you from crafting.
ReplyDeleteI too have had to adjust to crafting with a disability, some days it makes coping so much easier. I can't wait to see more of your videos.
Wishing you great success in your video and blogging adventures....
Awe, thank you Rachel. I appreciate your kind words and support. I can't tell you how many times crafting has saved my sanity. While I was in the hospital my In-Laws were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and I was in the process of making different things for the party. I had my husband pack up my stuff and bring it to me and just kept on crafting from my hospital bed. Everyone loved coming in to see what I was making and it sure helped pass some of the time. I didn't get out in time to make the party but I did get to watch it via skype. I truly hope your disability never stops you from doing what you are passionate about. Keep the faith!!!
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