tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39324010767459521422024-03-14T05:42:14.821-04:00Dancing with My Disabilities!Blog Title: Dancing with My Disabilities!
This blog was I Already Gave My Right Arm to Be Ambidextrous prior to Read My HIPS, which is now Dancing with My Disabilities. I am doing some renovating and will begin blogging for the New Year 2024. Please be patient, and please continue to support this blog as well as my other blog Chronically Mommy, which is also being renovated to be more up to date. Pass this information on to anyone that you know may be interested in knowing...To be continued...Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-67190650952907128082013-04-13T04:33:00.002-04:002013-04-13T04:33:52.577-04:00<h1 itemprop="name">
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<time data-duration="1680000" data-time-label="#episode_archived" data-time-tooltip="" datetime="2013-04-13 03:00:00Z" title="Fri, April 12, 2013 11:00 pm">Fri, April 12, 2013 11:00 pm</time>
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When is it ok to talk
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Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-66966908466320883762012-08-23T15:13:00.001-04:002012-08-23T15:19:13.979-04:00A Call to Action if you take a Specialty biologic medication!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMzoCV4Lv1GdRYecJx7YqRk2LPj6va1yAmgKfOjFU0FSHIn6dRZyVngS5ydRStOjxIr0I2_ieX1np9aB2qa9SD84ncMuQakytKKkjD0PjZ-2r78QSby685HcEn2XyjudVyqXsbMcNVZY/s1600/99d677975fbd678f6ed166467e773745_qjjg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMzoCV4Lv1GdRYecJx7YqRk2LPj6va1yAmgKfOjFU0FSHIn6dRZyVngS5ydRStOjxIr0I2_ieX1np9aB2qa9SD84ncMuQakytKKkjD0PjZ-2r78QSby685HcEn2XyjudVyqXsbMcNVZY/s400/99d677975fbd678f6ed166467e773745_qjjg.png" width="400" /></a></div><b id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258134"><u id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258133"><span id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258132" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></u></b><b id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258134"><u id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258133"><span id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258132" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></u></b><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258134"><u id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258133"><span id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258132">A Call to Action if you take a Specialty biologic medication!</span></u></b></i></span><br />
<div class="yiv778880294gmail_quote" id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258149" lang="EN-US"><div id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258148"><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258147"></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258147"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258156">ARxC is seeking patient stories from individuals in Georgia who are taking Specialty Tier medications, either injectable or infused biologics, and having difficulty paying the monthly cost, as set by their health plan. They also want to hear from patients about how this growing trend of increasing patient cost will affect their quality of life. If you, or someone you know, takes an injectable or IV drug to control your disease please contact Dorothy at <a href="mailto:dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com</a> or call <span style="color: #0070c0;">404-633-5843.</span> They need your stories to share with legislators and press/media to help us get legislation to ensure your access to these drugs and make them affordable. For more details go to ARxC's <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Specialty_Tiers.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Specialty Tier</a> website, review the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specailty_Tier_Story_Appeal.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> ARxC and Arthritis Foundation Specialty Tier Story Appeal.</a></span></i></span></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258147"></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258147"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span id="yui_3_2_0_40_1345574525258156">I have copied and pasted all the information from their website (<a href="http://advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Specialty_Tiers.html">http://advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Specialty_Tiers.html</a>) to make it easiest for you to attain all the information as quickly as possible and to submit your story. Please take the time to submit your story. This is a Call to Action! It is very important! Please read and write your story. Thank you very much for your time! </span></i></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="yiv778880294im"><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Take a stand to ensure full access to specialty drugs</b></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In recent years, health care insurers have developed Specialty Tiers, otherwise known as Tier IV, V, and VI, a new classification of specialty drugs that requires health insurance beneficiaries to pay 2<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">0 - 35% of the cost of the drug. </span>This approach is markedly different from traditional drug tiers with transparent and f</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ixed co-payments, ranging from a Tier I generic at $10, to a Tier II preferred brand at $30, and a Tier III brand name drug at $50. Most c</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ommonly health insurance companies use this new classification for infused or injected drugs prescribed and administered to patients</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> with acute and chronic diseases, such as </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), AIDS/HIV</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">, pso</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">riasis, Crohn’s disease, immune disorders, hepatitis, anemia, and certain types of cancer.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><img align="right" alt="" height="133" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/696d915774d306597f257dbb7cea53e9_g9dd_ti3z.png" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" width="200" /></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">On September 13, 2011 a group of</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"> 17 voluntary health agencies attended a briefing hosted and facilitated by ARxC </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and Georgia Bio to</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> learn <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_What_do_they_mean_for_Georgia.pdf" target="_blank">how Specialty Tiers was impacting Georgia</a>. </span></span></span> <br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Committed to ensure full access to quality care for their members, all 17 voluntary health agencies formed the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_Coalition.pdf" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers Coalition</a> to inform legislators of the dangers of Specialty </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiers cost-shifting and to take steps to address the issue. </span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_Coalition.pdf" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers Coalition</a> has written a letter to Georgia's Pharmacy Caucus asking for their support to stop this cost-shifting and discriminatory practice that make these life-saving, life-enhancing medications cost-prohibitive for patients.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specailty_Tier_Story_Appeal.pdf" target="_blank"><i>Call to Action</i> for all Georgians</a> was launched by Coalition members this year to gather stories from patients taking Specialty Tier medications and having difficulty paying the monthly cost of their drugs, as set by their health plan. The Coalition is also eager to hear from patients and their families how this growing trend is affecting their quality of life.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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The <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_Coalition.pdf" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers Coalition</a> is also collaborating with patient advocacy groups across the country to support the passing of the <a href="http://www.arthritis.org/media/advocacy/Access%20to%20Medications.pdf" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" target="_blank">Patient Access to Critical Therapies Act (PACTA)</a>, <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">legislation sponsored by <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Rep. David McKinley (R-WV)</span> that serves to address the restrictions Specialty Tiers impose on access to quality care for the acute and chronically ill, and <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr3613ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr3613ih.pdf" target="_blank">H.R. 361</a>, proposed legislation sponsored by Rep. Hank Johnson to stop Specialty Tier cost-shifting for Medicare beneficiaries.</span><br />
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The Coalition will continue its efforts to ask for legislation that will allow all Georgians to have full access to their medications without imposing drug tiers based on expense or disease categories.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Please see the Specialty Tier Coalition publications below for more information on the Coalition's activities. </span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <b>_________________________________________________</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;"><b style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Respond to this</span><span style="font-size: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;"> CALL TO ACTION. Stop the increase in cost of s</span><i>pecialty tier</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;"> drugs.</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">1.</b><b> Know the facts.</b> Read the Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia's fact sheet "<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_What_do_they_mean_for_Georgia.pdf" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers: What do they mean for Georgia?</a></b>" to know the facts about specialty tiers and how they restrict access to medication for patients with chronic diseases.<br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">2. </b><b>Share your story. </b>Tell the Georgia community </span></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how the increase in the cost of your medication due to Specialty Tiers classification has impacted you or your loved ones.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Share your story on the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Story_Submission.html" shape="rect" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: orange;">Specialty Tiers Story Submission</span></b></a> webpage or email your<span style="line-height: 18px;"> story directly to ARxC <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">at</span><br />
<a href="mailto:dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com" shape="rect">dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com</a>.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> If you have any questions or concerns please contact ARxC directly.</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Unsure what to say in your story? Read <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/heidi_s_story.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: orange;">Heidi's Story</span></b></a> for an example of how specialty tiers could affect Heidi's ability to manage her </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">Rheumatoid Arthritis.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;">3.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Call on your representatives. </b></span></b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Contact your members of congress and ask them to support the <a href="http://www.arthritis.org/media/advocacy/Access%20to%20Medications.pdf" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" target="_blank">Patient Access to Critical Therapies Act (PACTA)</a>. Please fill out and mail or email a copy of the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Promoting_Affordable_Access_to_Care_Petition__2.doc" target="_blank">Promoting Affordable Access to Care Petition</a> or go directly to the <a href="http://www.rheumatology.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp" target="_blank">ACR Legislative Action Center</a> to </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #222222;">take action on this critical issue today.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"> 4. <b>Support our efforts.</b><b style="font-weight: normal;"> Help to mobilize the Georgia-wide effort by donating to ARxC. Go to</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"> our <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Please_Donate.html" shape="rect" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: 16px;"><b>donation page</b></span></a> to make your tax-deductible contribution today.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>________________________________________________</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia appreciates the American College of Rheumatology’s efforts in securing legislative responsibility to this vital issue. The Coalition also acknowledges the National Arthritis Foundation’s commitment to seeking a solution to this excessive cost-shifting barrier to affordable access to biologics and infused medications for arthritis and all patients suffering from chronic diseases.</span></span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /> <span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span><br />
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</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">ARxC and the Specialty Tier Coalition supports Representative Hank Johnson and his </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr3613ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr3613ih.pdf" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Medicare legislation on specialty tiers</span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">. </span></span><br />
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<b style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">Ask your <a href="http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/" target="_blank">federal representative</a> to vote in favor of Representative Johnson's legislation to end the rise in cost of medications for the chronically ill. </b><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"> More information available at:</span><br />
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<ul style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><li><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gapolitico.com/2011/05/13/rep-johnson-to-medicare-clarify-why-%e2%80%98specialty-tier%e2%80%99-drug-threshold-remains-600/" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Rep. Johnson to Medicare: Clarify why 'specialty tier' drug threshold remains $600</span> </a></span></span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hankjohnson.house.gov/2011/12/rep-johnson-seeks-relief-for-chronically-ill-seniors.shtml" target="_blank">Rep. Johnson seeks relief for chronically ill seniors</a></span></li>
</span></span></span></ul><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">________________________________________________</span></span><br />
</b> <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><br />
Specialty Tier Coalition and ARxC Publications:<br />
</span></span></span> <span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> <ul style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ST_Talking_Points_Core_Group_June_14__2012.pdf" target="_blank">Specialty Tier Talking Points</a> (June 14, 2012)</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Advocacy_Specialty_Tiers_Coalition_Update_3.16.12.pdf" target="_blank">Advocacy Update from the Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia</a> (March 16, 2012) </span></span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Specialty Tier Coalition Fact Sheet - <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_What_do_they_mean_for_Georgia.pdf" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers: What do they mean for Georgia?</a></span> </span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_Coalition_Update_for_website_1.30.12__1_.pdf" target="_blank">January 2012 Specialty Tier Coalition Update</a></span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specailty_Tier_Story_Appeal.pdf" target="_blank">ARxC Specialty Tier Story Appeal</a></span></li>
</ul><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Additional resources:</span></div><ul style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/GRC_Specialty_Tier_GA_Tech_Final_Report_Regulating_the_Specialty_Tier.pdf" target="_blank">Regulating the Specialty Tier in Georgia: Final Report compiled for the National MS Society-Georgia Chapter</a> - Georgia Tech Public Policy Task Force 2012</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-expensive-drugs-20120529,0,415311,print.story" target="_blank">Insurers forcing patients to pay more for costly specialty drugs</a> - LA Times - May 29, 2012</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BioCentury video: </span><a href="http://www.biocenturytv.com/player/1576037741001/1575734700001" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Specialty Tiers </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"></span></a><a href="http://www.biocenturytv.com/player/1576037741001/1575734700001" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Part 1 - Dangers of Specaity Tier Co-Insurance </span></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"></span></span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"></span></span><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">BioCentury video:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.biocenturytv.com/player/1576037741001/1575734699001" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers Part 2 - Creating a Cap on Co-Insurance</a></span></span></span></li>
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<ul style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/13/health/states-seek-to-curb-exorbitant-drug-costs-incurred-by-patients.html?_r=2&ref=health" target="_blank">States Seek Curb on Patient Bills for Costly Drugs</a> - New York Times - April 12, 2012</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/GRC_Specialty_Tier_Delaware_Specialty_Tier_Report_1_.pdf" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Specialty-Tier Prescription Drugs: Report to the General Assembly</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> - Delaware Health Care Commission - March 15, 2012</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span><br />
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<li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.arthritis.org/position-statatement-excessive-cost-sharing/" target="_blank">Arthritis Foundation Position Statement: Excessive Cost-Sharing (Specialty Tiers) for High-Cost Medications Represent a Barrier to Patient Access</a> - Arthritis Foundation - November 19, 2011</span></li>
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<li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2011/09/lifesaving-biologics-out-reach/" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Lifesaving drugs 'out of reach' for many</span> </a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>- Georgia Health News, Andy Miller - September 12, 2011</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/August/22/Workers-Squeezed-As-Employers-Pass-Along-High-Costs-Of-Specialty-Drugs.aspx" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Workers Squeezed As Employers Pass Along High Costs of Specialty Drugs</span></a> - Kaiser Health News and USA Today - August 22, 2011</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://thepinksheet.elsevierbi.com/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1216099165884&pagename=FDCReports/Page/PageNavigatorWrapper&actionType=upsell&desturl=http%3A%2F%2Fthepinksheet.elsevierbi.com%2Fcs%2FSatellite%3Fc=Page%26cid=1216099165884%26pagename=FDCReports%252FPage%252FPageNavigatorWrapper%26resultpage=ArticleDetail%3AArticleDetailWrapper%26jid=pink%26pii=00110822009%26pubdate=20110822%26articlename=State%2520Bills%2520Setting%2520Specialty%2520Tier%2520Limits%2520Await%2520Health%2520Reform%2520Developments%26elsca1=rss" shape="rect" target="_blank">State Bills Setting Specialty Tier Limits Await Health Reform Developments</a> - The Pink Sheet - August 22, 2011</span> </li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://beta.coastalcourier.com/section/4/article/34945/" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Specialty tiers deny fair health care</span></a> - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Coastal Courier </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Guest Columnist, Dorothy Leone-Glasser - August 17, 2011</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/fl-hk-prescription-drug-tiers-20110811,0,4484161.story" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Insurers raising co-pays for expensive drugs</span></a> - </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Sun Sentinel - August 15, 2011</span></span></span></span> </li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/NMQF_Specialty_Tiers_Report.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers: Unequal Treatment</a> - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">National Minority Quality Forum (Issue Brief 3) - August 9, 2011<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></li>
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<li style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 20px;"><a href="http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=272294&type=newswires" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span _face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16px;">“Substantial Percentage” of Medicare Beneficiaries Are Uninformed on Out-of-Pocket Costs for Specialty Tier</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></a></span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=272294&type=newswires" shape="rect" style="font-size: 16px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Prescription Drugs</span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 11px;"> - </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Insurance News - August 9, 2011</span> </li>
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<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/AF_SE_POsition_on_Specialty_Tiers.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers/Coinsurance Position Statement</a> - </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">SE Region Advocacy Volunteer Chair - </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Arthritis Foundation - August 8, 2011</span> </li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/CAN/chapter-news/chapter-news-detail/index.aspx?nid=5005" shape="rect" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11px;"></span></span></a><a href="http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/CAN/chapter-news/chapter-news-detail/index.aspx?nid=5005" shape="rect" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Landmark Patient Protection Legislation to End "Specialty Tier" Health Insurance Coverage Passes in California Assembly Health Committee</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Northern California Chapter - </span><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">May 4, 2011</span></span></span> </li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/health&id=7950299" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bill aims to stop specialty tiers prescription drugs</span></a> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">ABC N</span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">WGME 13 Top Story </span><a href="http://www.wgme.com/news/top-stories/stories/iframe_vid_9731.shtml" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">"Move Underway in Maine to Stop Insurance Companies from Passing Medication Costs Back to Consumers"</span></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></li>
<li style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Sun Sentinel's report "</span><a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/fl-hk-prescription-drug-tiers-20110811,0,4484161.story" shape="rect" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Patients with insurance hikes can not receive proper IV drugs</span></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">."</span> </span></li>
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<div style="display: block; margin: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0;"><div class="sf_undocked" style="display: block; height: 0; left: auto; margin: 0; overflow: visible; padding: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 0; z-index: 999998;"><div style="display: block; height: 317px; left: 6px; position: absolute; top: 398px; width: 169px; z-index: 999980;"><div style="display: block; height: 285px; left: 27px; overflow: auto; position: absolute; top: 2525px; width: 149px;"><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="color: black;">CALL TO ACTION:</span> </b>Share your story of how an increase in the cost of co-payments for specialty tier drugs would impact you and your access to the specialty tier drugs that you rely on. Go to <span style="color: orange; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Story_Submission.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Specialty Tiers Story Submission</span></a> </span><span style="color: orange;">to submit your story.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="display: block;"></div><div style="display: block;"></div><div style="display: block;"><b><br />
</b><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b></b></span></span></span></div><div class="sf_footer"></div> <span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"></span> <br />
<div id="refHTML"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #f3b41a; font-size: 18px;">We are the Advocates for Responsible Care</span><br />
</span></span></div><div class="sf_extra6"></div><div class="sf_extra11"></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Advocates for Responsible Care empower individuals to achieve their maximum wellness with a strong voice as health care advocates, effectively reducing cultural incompetency and health care delivery disparity.</span></i></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><i><br />
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</i></b><b><i> <img align="middle" alt="" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/arxc_and_vol-small.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px;" /></i></b></span> <br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We are a 501(c)3 advocacy organization that offers services to inform the public, especially the patients, of all health care advocacy issues. We advocate on behalf of ensuring full access to medical care for all Georgians.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal;"><b><u>Specialty Tier Call to Action</u></b></span><br />
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<div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Advocates for Responsible Care and Arthritis Foundation, SE Region have initiated a <i style="font-weight: normal;">Call to Action</i> for all Georgians. We are seeking patient stories from individuals who are taking Specialty Tier medications, and having difficulty paying the monthly cost, as set by their health plan. We also want to hear from patients about how this growing trend of increasing patient cost will affect their quality of life. For more details go to ARxC's <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Specialty_Tiers.html">Specialty Tier</a> website, review the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specailty_Tier_Story_Appeal.pdf" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">ARxC and Arthritis Foundation Specialty Tier Story Appeal</a> or go directly to <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Story_Submission.html">Specialty Tier Story Submission</a> to share your story.<br />
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<b>_________________________________________________</b> </span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal;"><b><u>ARxC Advocacy Priorities </u></b></span><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: -webkit-left;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Issues_2E2I.html" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Advancing Health Care Reform in Georgia</b></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2014 every American will be required to have health insurance as a commitment to the health and well-being of their community. ARxC is leading efforts to ensure the new health insurance options made available to Georgians meet the benefit and service needs of the people.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In support of the Affordable Care Act, ARxC is working with Georgians to develop a best practice health insurance model. <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Issues_2E2I.html">Read more</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Specialty_Tiers.html" style="font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-left;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Specialty Tiers</span></b></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARxC is leading an initiative in partnership with Georgia Bio, the Arthritis Foundation, and 15 other health care organizations to stop high co-payments/co-insurance for Specialty Tier medications in Georgia. <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Specialty_Tiers.html">Read more</a><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Dialysis_Crisis.html" shape="rect" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Dialysis Crisis</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">or (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;">en </span></span><span class="definition" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">español)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: orange; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Di_lisis_crisis.html"><span style="color: orange;">Diálisis Crisis</span></a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> ARxC organized in August 2009 when Grady Hospital closed the only dialysis center providing care to uninsured End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients in Georgia. Over the years, ARxC has fought </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">through the court system and led negotiations with Grady Hospital and dialysis companies</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">to ensure the immigrant patients in Atlanta continue to receive the dialysis treatments they need to survive.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Dialysis_Crisis.html" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">Read more</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">/</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Di_lisis_crisis.html" style="color: blue;">Leer m</a><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Di_lisis_crisis.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">á</a><u>s</u>.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span><br />
<b style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/S.T.A.R.html"><span style="color: orange;">S.T.A.R.S.</span></a><br />
</span></b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">ARxC provides a women's division that serves as a dynamic community of advocates that brings awareness and takes action on all wellness issues. </span></span></span><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/S.T.A.R.html" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Read more</span></a><br />
<b style="color: black;">_________________________________________________</b><br />
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<b style="color: black;"><u><span style="font-size: 18px;">Stay Engaged</span></u></b><br />
</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">To remain updated on ARxC developments visit our facebook group page </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Advocates-for-Responsible-Care/202782869735551#%21/pages/Advocates-for-Responsible-Care/202782869735551?sk=wall" shape="rect" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Advocates for Responsible Care</b></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span>or subscribe to receive the ARxC newsletter and advocacy updates through the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/How_You_Can_Help.html"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Contact Us</b></span></a> page.<br />
</span></span><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><b> _________________________________________________</b></span><br />
<br />
</span></span></span></span></div></div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">ARxC Newsletter Updates</b><b style="font-weight: normal;">:</b><br />
</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Advocacy_Specialty_Tiers_Coalition_Update_3.16.12.pdf" target="_blank"><b>March 2012 Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia Update</b></a></span></li>
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;">
<li style="font-weight: normal;"><b><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_Coalition_Update_for_website_1.30.12__1_.pdf" target="_blank">January 2012 </a><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_Coalition_of_Georgia_Update_1_" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia Update</a></b></li>
<li style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Summer_newsletter_8-18-11-Final.pdf" target="_blank">Summer 2011 (released August 18, 2011)</a></span></li>
<li style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Newsletter_May_2011.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank">May, 2011 </a></span></li>
<li style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Newsletter_April_2011.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">April, 2011</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></li>
</span></ul><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>ARxC Press Releases:</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></span></span></b></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<ul><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">
<li style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Patients_are_Reassured_and_Thankful_9.8.11.pdf" target="_blank">September 8, 2011 Press Release - ARxC Patients are Reassured and Thankful</a></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"></span></li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Denied_Dialysis_at_Grady_Hospital_9.4.11.pdf" target="_blank">September 4, 2011 Press Release - ARxC Patients Denied Emergency Dialysis Treatment from Grady Hospital</a></b></span></li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Turned_away_from_Fresenius_9.1.11.pdf" target="_blank">September 1, 2011 Press Release</a><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Turned_away_from_Fresenius_9.1.11.pdf" target="_blank"> - ARxC Grady Dialysis Patients Turned Away From Fresenius</a></span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Left_Without_Dialysis_Treatment_8.31.11.pdf" target="_blank">August 31, 2011 Press Release - ARxC Grady Dialysis Patients left without Dialysis Treatment</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Press_Release_ARxC_to_GHS_accountaable_4.3.11.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank">April 3, 2011 Press Release - ARxC Stands With Commissioners to Hold Grady Health Systems </a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Settlement_Press_Release_9.14.10.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">September 14, 2010 Press Release - Majority of ARxC Dialysis Patients will have health home for one </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">year</span></a> </span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Negotiations_Press_Release_8.31.10.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">August 31, 2010 Press Release - DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson assures ARxC's 33 Dialysis Patients they will have a health home</span></a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_PRESS__RELEASE_8.27.10_1_.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">August 27, 2010 Press Release - ARxC Calls on Elected Officials to Respond as Deadline for Dialysis Care Draws Near for 33 ARxC Patients </span></a> </span> <ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Ga._Rep._Letterfor_HRC_8.27.10.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">Letter to the Elected Officials</span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Precautionary_Measures_Adopted__Human_Rights_Comm.1_.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">Precautionary Measures of OAS</span></a> </span></li>
</ul></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Press_Release_8.24.10_1_.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">August 24, 2010 Press Release - After One Year of Negotiations, No Resolution for 33 ARxC Patients to Receive Ongoing Care</span></a> </span></li>
</span></span></span></span></b></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></ul></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"></div><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span><br />
<div style="display: block;"><h1><span style="color: orange; font-size: 18px;">Board of Directors</span></h1></div><div class="sf_extra6"></div><div class="sf_extra11"></div><span style="font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Dorothy</b></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b> Leone-Glasser</b></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">, Executive Director </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="mailto:dlg@wisdomofwellnesssproject.com" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>dlg@wisdomofwellnesssproject.com</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> 404-633-5843<br />
</span></span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span lang="ES-MX" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Hon. Lindsay Jones, Ex Officio, Legal Consultant<br />
</span></span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="mailto:lrjones@emory.edu" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>lrjones@emory.edu</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b> <span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></span></span></span>Haley Stolp, Program Development Director<br />
<a href="mailto:+haley.stolp@gmail.com" target="_blank">haley.stolp@gmail.com</a><br />
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
Ira Katz, Corporate Networking and Events<br />
</span></span></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="mailto:ipkatz@yahoo.com" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>ipkatz@yahoo.com</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> <br />
</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b> <span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">The <i>Advocates for Responsible Care</i> empowers individuals to achieve their maximum wellness with a strong voice as health care advocates effectively reducing cultural incompetency and health care delivery disparity.</div></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></b></span> <span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.dialysiscrisis.webs.com/" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>www.dialysiscrisis.webs.com</b></span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;">1434 Brook Valley Lane NE<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Atlanta</span></span></b></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"><b>,GA 30324<br />
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TEL: 404-633-5843 <br />
FAX: 404-321-5952</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="display: block;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Who we are</span> </div><div class="sf_extra6"></div><div class="sf_extra11"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b></b> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <br />
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The Advocates for Responsible Care is a non-profit organization that functions as an alliance of health care professionals, patient advocates, and human rights specialists dedicated to the cause of reducing cultural incompetency and health care delivery disparity. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
<u><b>Board of Directors</b></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Dorothy Leone-Glasser, RN, HCC</span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">President</span></span></span></span></b></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'comic sans ms'; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'comic sans ms'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dorothy Leone-Glasser, RPN, HHC, has lived with systemic lupus for over thirty-five years. As a result, she has overcome two forms of cancer, disabling arthritis, kidney failure, a coma, heart attack, and two strokes. During this time she graduated from a wheelchair to crutches to ultimately walking with her own two feet. Between the ages of 20 and 37, Dorothy received three death sentences imposed by her doctors. Today she is not only alive, but she is living well and paving the way to the future of wellness as President and CEO of the Advocates for Responsible Care (ARxC)<i>, </i>a non-profit wellness and advocacy organization.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> As Dorothy drove her wheelchair, she also drove her career. Dorothy’s philosophy, “Illness lives in the mind, plays out in the body, and comes to a place of peace in the spirit of wellness” was the compelling energy behind her success.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">She earned degrees in counseling, nursing, and theology to master the art of the mind, body, and spirit connection. Although this holistic approach to healthcare is popular today, for many years Dorothy has been a leader in its implementation through her private practice in counseling and public speaking. Empowering others with her personal philosophy and raising a strong voice of advocacy, Dorothy has taught countless others how to “live wise and live well.”</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As she simultaneously conquered her personal challenges and enlightened individuals with chronic illness, Dorothy also designed and delivered the life-style engineering technology tools that her patients need to apply her lessons. One of these is a comprehensive integrated wellness and stress management program so aptly called, “The Coping Program®.” This program won Dorothy the Outstanding Patient-Community Service Program Award by the National Arthritis Foundation in 1990. In 1993, the Arthritis Foundation presented her with the Dorothy Day Humanitarian Award for pioneering this program. Finally, in 1998, when the Arthritis Foundation was celebrating its 50<sup>th</sup> year Anniversary, it awarded her the honor of being one of only 50 selected <i>Heroes Living with Arthritis</i> and appointed her one of three ambassadors representing all of the heroes nationwide.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Dorothy is a hero among us. Not only for what she has endured and overcome, but also for what she has consistently and generously given to others over the years. She is a twenty-nine year member of the Board of Directors at the Arthritis Foundation. She currently serves as the Advocacy and Disparities populations Chair on the Leadership Council for the SE Region of AF. Dorothy provides advocacy consulting to numerous organizations, societies and patient groups. She facilitates an ongoing patient group ARxC STARS that empowers its members to promote wellness and prevention practices along with being active healthcare advocates. She has published countless materials educating patients about harmonizing the mind, body and spirit. Dorothy is frequently seen and heard on TV, radio, and print media. She promotes using nutraceuticals as part of a complete wellness plan.</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After completing her degrees from City University in New York, Dorothy completed a three-year internship in Chronic Illness and Family Counseling from Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York. She is also ordained and certified with a ministry degree in Comparative Religions, in the order of St. Francis. Dorothy resides in Atlanta, Georgia where she founded the <i>Wisdom of Wellness Project, LLC. </i>She is now founder and the CEO of the <i>Advocates for Responsible Care (ARxC) </i>a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization<i>.</i></span></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On July 22, 2005, Dorothy was asked to speak to a crowd of 4,200 citizens, legislators, and community and civic leaders, at the Atlanta Civic Center, in Atlanta, GA, with President George W. Bush. They discussed the new Medicare Modernization Act and Dorothy’s experiences and insights educating people on the new Medicare benefits and enrollment for Part D prescription drug coverage.</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once a full time wellness counselor, Dorothy is now a motivational speaker, author, media personality, and resilient healthcare advocate. She regularly holds seminars on Manifesting Wellness, The Wisdom of Stress Reduction, and Advocacy: Mission Possible, Strengthening Support and Advocacy Groups and The Wisdom of Internal and Environmental Health. She testifies before congressional committees and local government Boards on health care advocacy issues and has been recognized by the National Association of Professional Women.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Along with her ARxC Program Director, Dorothy is currently writing an Advocacy and Medical Insurance Wellness Guide. Components of ARxC’s Georgia Wellness Initiative will be part of the prevention and wellness incentives in a new best practice template for health insurance; <i>ARxC Medical Insurance Collective for Georgia</i>. ARxC is conducting a Health Plan Survey on line to assess what Georgians need and want from their health insurance plan. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Advocates for Responsible Care have always been actively involved in advocating for full access to medications and medical care with an emphasis on reducing health disparities. In 2011, ARxC, with Georgia Bio, took the lead to organize the Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia consisting of 18 health organizations, who will assist in implementing legislation that will end the dangerous cost-shifting practice of patients paying prohibitive out of pocket amounts for their life-saving prescription drugs.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the representative of the patients of the Grady Dialysis Crisis, ARxC directs negotiations of their long term treatments and working toward a permanent solution to their care. In December 2010, Dorothy received the Mundo Hispanico Award, Amigo de los Hispanos, for her work in advocating for dialysis patients who were in jeopardy of dying without dialysis treatment.<br />
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ARxC continues to lead the call to action for Specialty Tiers Legislation and a best practice template for a Health Insurance collective for Georgia.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Philosophy</b>: Illness lives in the mind, plays out in the body and comes to a place of peace in your spirit where wellness survives. </span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Mission</span></b><span style="font-size: 16px;">: To empower individuals to achieve their maximum wellness with a strong voice as health care advocates effectively reducing cultural incompetency and health care delivery disparity.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; text-align: justify;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida fax', serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/DLG__Bio__3.2012__1_.pdf" target="_blank">Click here</a> for Dorothy's full biography.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Hon. Lindsay Jones</span></span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span lang="ES-MX"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">E</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;">x Officio, Legal Consultant</span><br />
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Judge Lindsay R.M. Jones earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1988 and a JD from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1991. He currently serves as the associate director for the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution at Emory School of Law and oversees the program administration for the Kessler-Edison Program for Trial Techniques. In addition Prof. Jones teaches a fall and spring semester public interest workshop entitled "Access to Justice." Prior to coming to Emory in the fall of 2006, Jones was engaged in a private law practice focusing on civil rights and was at the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a senior fellow with the Institute on Race & Poverty and taught in the areas of ethics and access to justice as an adjunct professor of law. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Jones previously served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Minnesota, in which capacity he served as a member of a civil rights advisory committee to the Minnesota Attorney General. He also served as the former deputy director and director of advocacy for the Legal Aid Society of North Carolina. As a trial and appellate litigator in private practice, he has appeared before federal and state courts in several states, including the Eighth, Ninth and Eleventh U.S. Appellate Circuits. </span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In addition to serving as the Center's associate director and as an adjunct professor of law, Judge Jones serves as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Decatur, Georgia, and as an Associate Magistrate Judge for DeKalb County, Georgia.</span></span></span></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><b><img align="null" alt="" height="192" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/ef5c53906f966d2a9c4dfeefc5ff7b39_3ifx.png" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px;" width="167" /><br />
</b></div><div style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Haley Stolp, MPH<br />
Program Development Director </b> </span></div><div style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Haley earned her Masters in Public Health in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, with a certificate in Socio-Contextual Determinants of Health, <span style="font-size: 16px;">from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. </span>Dedicated to the mission of achieving health equity, Haley has served as an ARxC patient advocate since ARxC was established in 2009. She has served as a volunteer Board Member since 2010.</span></div><div style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> In August 2010, Haley was recognized as one of three Emerging Health Leaders at the National Summit of Clinicians for Healthcare Justice for her commitment to health justice and her contribution in advancing ARxC's effort to extend dialysis treatment for undocumented Atlanta residents (see <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Dialysis_Crisis.html">Grady Dialysis Crisis</a>). Upon her graduation from Rollins School of Public Health in 2011, Haley was the recipient of the James W. Alley Award for "Outstanding Service to Disadvantaged Populations" as a result of her commitment to help marginalized and under-served communities.</span></div><div style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Haley’s dedication to advocate on behalf of all people with inadequate access to quality health care has been the cornerstone of her career path.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>In 2006, Haley travelled abroad to Ghana where she volunteered as a health educator with the UNHCR to reduce transmission of malaria. Following the completion of her B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Haley worked as a Staff Research Associate in Dr. Susan Fisher's lab at the University of California, San Francisco before moving to Atlanta, Georgia and becoming engaged in the Grady Dialysis Crisis. Throughout her schooling at Rollins School of Public Health, Haley served as an integral administrator and consultant for all ARxC public health advocacy initiatives.<br />
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Haley is currently working as a public health research fellow to improve access and utilization of preventive services for populations disproportionately burdened by HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Viral Hepatitis. <br />
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Grounded in her mission to dissolve health disparities and promote health equity, Haley's career interests are focused on working with Native organizations to address the epidemic of alcoholism and adolescent suicide that disproportionately plagues tribal communities.</span></span></div></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span> <span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Ira Paul Katz</span></span></span></span></span></b></div></span></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Director of Corporate Networking, Events<br />
</span></span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="mailto:ipkatz@yahoo.com" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue;">ipkatz@yahoo.com</span></a><br />
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</span></span>After attending the University of Baltimore, where he was elected student senator, Ira joined VISTA upon graduation.</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> Working with, and sponsored by the American Postal Workers Union, Ira developed a plan and coordinated the renovation of several senior citizens homes in Atlanta. Using volunteers from schools, religious organizations, prison inmates and others, he coordinated a grass roots effort with Project MOVE to accomplish necessary home repairs. These repairs saved the owners from being displaced due to code violations. After VISTA, Ira attended Columbia Southern School of Law. In addition, Ira obtained a Real Estate license.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
For several years, Ira has enjoyed staying active in current issues and events and has worked on a professional level with several state agencies, utilities and businesses. Working closing with the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Ira was instrumental in relocating several manufacturing companies to the Atlanta metro area. He has also worked with other major companies and corporations in other states to assist in their relocation and industry centered needs. He is well known for offering a comprehensive, enthusiastic and committed service to all his clients. </span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Ira has an extensive associate’s base in Atlanta, and its surrounding areas, of buyers, investors, venders, fellow brokers and associates, business and community contacts. He has worked well with DeKalb County officials for re-zoning, allowing for high quality renovated homes for moderate income citizens. Also being an investor, he understands the dynamics of working with small and large business groups. He has the talent and experience to resolve matters before problems emerge. He remains loyal to the client’s satisfaction and outcomes of any transaction and negotiation.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">For Ira, working for and with ARxC is personal. His father died of End Stage Renal Failure after receiving dialysis treatment for many years. Ira brings his passion and ability to work with different groups to the foray of the Advocates for Responsible Care. He has opened his home and heart to the patients and families of the Dialysis Crisis; always ready to help. Once again, he has been influential in by bringing knowledgeable and interested members to the table to assist ARxC’s new development of a best practice model for healthcare insurance. As a Board Member of ARxC, his shared excitement and enthusiasm of a realistic vision for this organization is welcomed.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<div style="display: block;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">ARxC Projects</span> </div><div class="sf_extra6"></div><div class="sf_extra11"></div><div style="display: block; zoom: 1;"><div id="content1"><div style="display: block;"><div style="display: block;"><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Issues_2E2I.html" shape="rect" style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Health Reform in Georgia</span></b></a> - To advance health reform in Georgia, ARxC is developing a best-practice model of health insurance for Georgia residents. We are currently leading a community needs assessment to identify what Georgia residents want included in their health insurance plans and the role that they are willing to play as stakeholders in their health insurance plans. This data will help to inform the development of the model.<br />
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</span></div><div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Specialty_Tiers.html" shape="rect"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Specialty Tiers</b></span></a> - As part of the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_Coalition.pdf" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers Coalition</a>, ARxC is advocating to end the cost-shifting of specialty tiers drugs to the patient. <br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Dialysis_Crisis.html" shape="rect"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
Dialysis Crisis</b></span></a> - Since it's establishment in 2009, ARxC has been continuously fighting to find ongoing dialysis treatments for Grady Hospital's uninsured and undocumented patients .<br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Di_lisis_crisis.html" shape="rect"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
<b>Di<span style="color: orange;">á</span>lisis Crisis</b></span></a> (En <span class="hps">español) </span>- <span class="hps">Desde su creación en 2009, ARxC no ha dejado de luchar para encontrar los tratamientos de diálisis para pacientes no asegurados y indocumentados originarios de Grady Hospital y con enfermedad renal en etapa terminal.</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/S.T.A.R.html" shape="rect"><b><span style="color: orange;">S.T.A.R.S.</span></b></a> </b><span style="color: black;">- </span><span style="color: black;">ARxC provides a women's division that serves as a dynamic community of advocates that brings awareness and takes action on all wellness issues.</span></span></span></div><div></div><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Advocacy Action</span></span> </span><br />
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CALL TO ACTION: EXPAND MEDICAID IN GEORGIA</b><br />
<i>July 16, 2012<br />
</i><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (PPACA) state level components will benefit all Georgians. One is a Medicaid expansion that will benefit over 600,000 Georgia residents, and the other is a free-market insurance exchange for competitively-priced private insurance plans.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Governor Deal and his administration oppose this act when they need to demonstrate health care leadership by implementing these beneficial reforms. The citizens of Georgia cannot be at a disadvantage for their wellness and care.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Make it clear to the entire country that Georgia cares about the wellness of its residents and sign on to tell the Governor to fully implement the state-level components of the PPACA now.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">ARxC has already added our name, Please add yours.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Please go to <a href="http://signon.org/sign/georgia-implement-the.fb11?source=s.fb&r_by=3099214" target="_blank">http://signon.org/sign/<wbr></wbr>georgia-implement-the.fb11?<wbr></wbr>source=s.fb&r_by=3099214</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
<b style="font-style: normal;">CALL TO ACTION ON SPECIALTY TIERS</b></span><br />
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">March 16, 2012</i><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;">is currently seeking congressional co-sponsorship for the <a href="http://www.arthritis.org/media/advocacy/Access%20to%20Medications.pdf" style="color: black;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">Patient Access to Critical Therapies Act (PACTA)</span></a>, legislation to address the restrictions Specialty Tiers impose on access to quality care for acute and chronically ill patients</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> (for more information see the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Advocacy_Specialty_Tiers_Coalition_Update_3.16.12.pdf" target="_blank">March 16, 2012 Advocacy Update from the Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia</a></span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">).</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">ARxC and The Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia ask you to contact your members of congress and ask them to support this important legislation. Please go to</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> <a href="http://www.rheumatology.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp">http://www.rheumatology.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp</a></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> to take action on this critical issue.</span></span></span><b style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</b> <b style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; line-height: 20px;">_________________________________________________</span></b><b><br />
</b><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"> Empowering the Patient Seminar</span></b><br />
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Host a seminar on patient empowerment led by ARxC President, Dorothy Leone-Glasser. </span><img align="right" alt="" height="191" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/05e852352324cadaa0db98260c74771e_kfaf.png" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px;" width="178" /> <ul style="font-weight: normal;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learn about the role of patients in the changing health care environment </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learn what you and your community can do to ensure and protect full access to health care items and services</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learn how you can get involved in the Specialty Tier Coalition's effort to end specialty tier discrimination </span></li>
</ul></span></div><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span> </span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">For more information about the "Empowering the Patient" seminar please contact ARxC President, <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Who_We_Are.html" target="_blank">Dorothy Leone-Glasser, RN, HCC</a>, or</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"> Ayana Charleston, the Southeast Region Arthritis Foundation Program Services Director at </span><a href="tel:404-2374454" style="color: black; font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">404-237-4454</span></a><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>_________________________________________________</b></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><br />
CALL TO ACTION to stop the increase in cost of s</span><i style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">pecialty tier</i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b> drugs.</b><span style="font-weight: 800;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span><b style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;"><br />
1.</b><b style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;"> Know the facts.</b><b style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;">Read the Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia's fact sheet "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Specialty_Tiers_What_do_they_mean_for_Georgia_1_" target="_blank">Specialty Tiers: What do they mean to Georgia?</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;">" to know the facts about specialty tiers and how they restrict access to medication for patients with chronic diseases.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; line-height: 20px;"> <div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b style="font-weight: bold;">2. </b><b style="font-weight: bold;">Share your story. </b>Tell the Georgia community </span></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how the increase in the cost of medication due to the specialty tier classification has impacted you or your loved ones.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Share your story on the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Story_Submission.html" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Specialty Tiers Story Submission</span></a> webpage or email your<span style="line-height: 18px;"> story directly to ARxC <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">at</span><br />
<a href="mailto:dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com" shape="rect">dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com</a>.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> If you have any questions or concerns please contact ARxC at 404-633-5843.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">For an example of how specialty tiers may affect Heidi's ability to manage her Rheumatoid Arthritis read <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/heidi_s_story.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Heidi's Story</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">.</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"></div><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">3. </span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Call on your representatives. </b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Contact your members of congress and ask them to support this important legislation. Please go to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.rheumatology.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp">http://www.rheumatology.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp</a></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"> to take action on this critical issue.</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">4. Support our efforts.</b> Help to mobilize the Georgia-wide effort by donating to ARxC. Go to</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> our <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Please_Donate.html" shape="rect"><span style="color: orange;">donation page</span></a> to make your tax-deductible contribution today.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span><br />
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</b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>Individually we make a difference, together we make change</b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Listen to an interview with Dorothy Leone-Glasser on the Real Talk blogtalkradio.com show with Joyce and Jennifer</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"> by <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/joyceandjennifer" style="color: #0000ee;" target="_blank">joyceandjennifer</a>. The theme of the show is patient advocacy and Dorothy discuses the role that ARxC has taken to "empower individuals to achieve their maximum wellness." </span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-size: 12px;"></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011108190318" target="_blank">Congress ducks responsibility on Medicare by allowing back-door cuts</a></b></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">By Seth Ginsberg</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">lohud.com</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Engage in the discussion on how to hold Congress accountable to the health care needs of Americans.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Release of the Atlanta Regional Health Care Guide: Resources for the Uninsured</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;">On August 9, 2011 ARxC attended a presentation of the ‘Pfizer Helpful Answers Guide for Georgia’ at City Hall with Mayor Kassim Reed, his staff, Dr. David Satcher (16th Surgeon General) from Morehouse College, The Black Nurses Association, The Hispanic Nurses Association, Pfizer Government Affairs Director and other community leaders. The new Atlanta Regional Health Care Guide is a comprehensive listing of all health care resources for the uninsured and under-insured in Georgia. You can access the guide online in</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <a href="http://www.atlantaga.gov/client_resources/media/ahgweb.pdf" shape="rect" style="color: black;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><b>English</b></span></a> and <a href="http://www.atlantaga.gov/client_resources/media/letters/atlantaguideespa%C3%B1ol-web.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><b>Spanish</b></a>. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;"> We also have hard copies of the guide available. Please contact us if you'd like a printed copy.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">_________________________________________________</span></span></b></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Support legislation to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">repeal the </span>Independent Payment Advisory Board (</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">IPAB)</span></span></span></b></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The potential consequences from the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) are numerous. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) should have the IPAB eliminated from its plan because of the potential consequences it would have on senior citizens’ healthcare program - Medicare.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IPAB will be making decisions about payment policy in Medicare that will determine whether millions of seniors have access to the care they need. T</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">he panel could therefore potentially reduce payments to providers and access to innovative therapies, thus limiting patient access.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seniors are already finding it difficult to find doctors that will take Medicare patients due to previous cuts made to physician’s payments. This situation will be exacerbated with any proposed cuts. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following letters to Congressman Scott and Congressman Johnson outline ARxC's stance on this issue:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/DLG_IPAB_to_Rep_Scott.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: orange;">Letter to Congressman Scott</span></b></a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/DLG.IPABto_Rep_Johnson.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Letter to Congressman Johnson</span></a></b></span></span></div></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Update on the Specialty Tiers Crisis</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A recent blog posted in Health Affairs highlights the results of the Avalere study which proved to identify the need to abandon the specialty tiers practice and establish sensible cost-sharing for Medicare Cancer patients. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">The blog is available at </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2011/06/24/establishing-sensible-cost-sharing-for-medicare-cancer-patients/" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">http://</span></span></a><a href="http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2011/06/24/establishing-sensible-costsharing-+for-medicare-cancer-patients/" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">healthaffairs.org/blog/2011/06/24/establishing-sensible-costsharing-</span>for-medicare-cancer-patients/</span></a></span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>MYTH by Dr. Henry Kahn, Physicians for a National Health Program, Georgia</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>The doctors of this country will never go along with so much government involvement in health care. They’ll all quit, and our health care will be worse off than before.</i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Read Dr. Kahn's full article by clicking <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/MYTH_by_Dr_Henry_Kahn__1_.pdf" shape="rect" style="color: black;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">here</span></b></a>. To learn more about the Physicians for a National Health Program go to <a href="http://www.pnhp.org/" shape="rect" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">www.pnhp.org</span></b></a>.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Seniors face Medicare cost barrier for cancer meds</span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An Associated Press article, released June 13, exposes the injustice of making cancer meds exclusionary by increasing the cost of co-pays for</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis C and anti-cancer drugs.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Read the entire article by clicking <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Seniors_face_Medicare_cost_barrier_for_cancer_meds.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">here</span></b></a>.</span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Update on Piedmont Hall Closing - Grady Backs Down</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARxC was informed that, despite evidence that Grady was taking the initial steps to close the clinic, Grady decided not to close Piedmont Hall. It remains unknown what Grady's intentions are for Piedmont Hall, but at this time it has been made clear that the clinic will not be closed. Nonetheless, ARxC will continue to monitor the Grady Health System closely to ensure that they continue to provide quality health care services to the indigent patients of Georgia.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">_________________________________________________</span><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Co-sponsor the DREAM Act by <a href="http://action.dickdurbin.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=497&source=ar&tag=dreamact_ar" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">clicking here</span></a>.</span></b></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 10px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The DREAM Act seeks to give immigrant students with good moral character who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years -- and came here before turning sixteen -- the chance to earn legal status after earning a high school degree and completing two years of college or military service in good standing.To learn more about the bill and how you can get involved in promoting the legislation please go to <b><a href="http://dreamact.info/" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">www.dreamact.info</span></a></b> or sign the petition directly by <b><a href="http://action.dickdurbin.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=497&source=ar&tag=dreamact_ar" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">Co-sponsoring the DREAM Act</span></a></b>.</span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;"> </span><b style="color: black;">_______________________________________________</b><br />
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<b style="color: black;">Join ARxC in the fight to preserve safety net primary care clinics in Atlanta</b><br />
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ARxC continues to take a stand against the closing of primary care clinics in Atlanta, Georgia.<img align="right" alt="" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/032adb34ce6c508f42d56ec5ad386fe5_yq8i.png" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px;" /><br />
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Safety net primary care clinics include community health centers, school-based health centers, rural health clinics, local health departments, and other primary clinics that provide critically needed primary care services (i.e. vaccinations, screenings, and wellness check ups) to <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">low-income and medically under-served residents.</span><br />
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Ensure that the clinics in your community stay open. Tell your government officials and community leaders why these clinics must remain viable sources of care in your community.<br />
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To learn more about ARxC's efforts to preserve the safety net primary care clinics in Atlanta go to <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Advocacy_Events.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Advocacy Events</span></b></a>.</div></span></span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><b>_______________________________________________<br />
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</b></span></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 10px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><b>What do you want from your health insurance? <br />
<br />
Tell ARxC what the best health insurance plan looks like to you.<br />
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Go to </b></span><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NQ88GSM" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;"><b>https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NQ88GSM</b></span></a><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"> <span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">and taking the </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">ARxC Health Plan Survey</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">©.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">The purpose of the survey is to find out what residents of Georgia want included in their health insurance so that the people of Georgia have a voice in the development of the state-based health insurance plans that will become available in 2014.<br />
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The survey responses will be compiled in a report which will be made available to Georgia's elected officials so that they may make informed decisions on what health insurance options will be made available to Georgia citizens.<br />
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ARxC will also advocate in favor of a consumer-centered health insurance plan that meets the needs of Georgia citizens and promotes health and wellbeing as a means to address the health disparity due to class, race, and ethnicity in Georgia. <br />
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You must be at least 18 years of age and a legal resident of Georgia to take the survey. <br />
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It is your choice to participate. There are no risks or immediate benefits to taking the survey.<br />
<br />
Further details about the survey can be found online at </span><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NQ88GSM" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;"><b>https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NQ88GSM</b></span></a>.<br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">Please help us develop the best practice model of health insurance for Georgians by taking our survey today at</span> </b></span><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NQ88GSM" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;"><b>https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NQ88GSM</b></span></a><b><span style="font-size: 16px;">.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">Thank you.<br />
</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">_______________________________________________<br />
</span></b><b><u><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">CALL TO ACTION! <br />
</span></u><br />
</b><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Press_Release_ARxC_to_GHS_accountaable_4.3.11.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;"><b>ARxC Press Release to Grady Health System<br />
</b></span></a><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">(Please click this link to read ARxC's press release on the Grady Health System (GHS) closing of two primary care clinics.) <br />
<br />
Help us hold Grady Hospital to their mission of providing health care to Georgia residents.<br />
<br />
</span></span></b>Grady plans to close the South DeKalb and Otis W. Smith Health Centers without addressing the concerns of the community and community leaders. We stand with our County Commissioners to insist that Grady Health System uphold their mission to serve the indigent patients of Georgia and stop plans to close the clinics. <span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b></b><b><br />
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Grady to Close Clinics Without Addressing the Concerns of the Community<br />
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</b>Two articles were recently published by the AJC that highlight Grady's decision to close two primary care clinics in the Atlanta area:<br />
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- March 7, 2011 - <a href="http://www.ajc.com/health/hospital-authority-grady-should-864305.html" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">Hospital authority: Grady should justify clinic closures<br />
</span></a>- March 3, 2011 - <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/grady-to-close-clinics-859170.html" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">Grady to close clinics, increase prescription drug copays</span></a> (<a href="http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/metro/atlanta/grady-hospital-cuts0307/?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=gallery&cxcat=recent" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">Gallery: Grady cuts discussed at emergency meeting</span></a>)<br />
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</b><b>"</b><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Healthy_Wealthy_and_Wise.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;"><b>Healthy Wealthy and Wise</b></span></a><b>" by Jerry "Pops" Barnes RN, BSN<br />
<br />
</b>Click the link above to read an article by Jerry "Pops" Barnes that <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">provides health education to help you make healthy lifestyle changes and become better informed about your health care decisions. <br />
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Jerry “Pops” Barnes writes a weekly health column for the Columbus Times. Mr. Barnes also serves as Councilman for District # 1 in Columbus, Georgia. Mr. Barnes has served as a health educator and devoted patient advocate. <br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Honorable John Lewis at the National Civil Rights Access to Justice at Emory School of Law</span><br />
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</b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">GHLF Press Release<br />
</span><br />
</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">ARxC has championed preserving the doctor-patient relationship by alerting consumers to illegal drug switching by health insurance providers or other parties. This drug switching of brand-name drugs is done without the prescribing doctor's permission. The switch occurs by the insurance provider in order to save money; leaving the doctor uninformed and threatening the safety of patient care. Please read the </span><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/GHLF_Press_Release_FINAL_11-29-10.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">Press Release Advocacy Alert</span> </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">by our partners, The Global Healthy Living Foundation and visit them at </span><a href="https://owalegacy.emory.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=e624675a1cd7458f8cac43438adf5edd&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.failfirsthurts.org" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">www.failfirsthurts.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">. Please pass this alert onto your family, friends and physicians.<br />
<br />
Please click the link above or </span><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/GHLF_Press_Release_FINAL_11-29-10.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">click here</span> </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">to read the Global Health Living Foundation Press Release.<br />
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</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Please donate to help Patricia's fight to stay alive!<br />
<br />
</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">ARxC is currently collecting funds to sustain dialysis treatment for Patricia, a former Grady dialysis patient. </span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Patricia needs our financial support to pay for her vital treatments. If she does not receive her Dialysis treatments she will die in two (2) to three (3) weeks. Click </span><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Please_Donate_to_Help_Patricia_Fight_to_Stay_Alive.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> to read Patricia's story. <br />
<br />
Help us to keep Patricia alive and to renew our faith in the care of each other by going to our </span><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Please_Donate.html" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Donate</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> webpage and making a contribution today.</span><br />
</span></span></span><b>_______________________________________________<br />
</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
<b>Medicare's Free Screenings Let Older Adults Get a Jump on Diabetes<br />
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</b>Did you know that a significant number of Georgia’s older adults are at risk for diabetes? Among the Medicare population ages 65 or older living in Georgia, it is estimated that more than 150,000 have undiagnosed diabetes and more than 450,000 have pre-diabetes, most of whom are undiagnosed. If left undiagnosed and untreated, diabetes can lead to higher chances of additional serious health conditions including heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure or amputations.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">In Atlanta, former Atlanta Hawks forward and Basketball Hall-of-Fame Dominique Wilkins and the Medicare Diabetes Screening Project (MDSP) are teaming up with city officials, senior centers, churches and other community-based organizations on “Get a Jump on Diabetes,” a campaign to promote use of Medicare’s free diabetes screenings and the importance of prevention. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">ARxC is a local partner of Medicare Diabetes Screening Project.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">To learn more about Medicare’s free screening benefit ask your doctor or health care provider and visit </span><a href="http://www.screenfordiabetes.org/" shape="rect"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>www.screenfordiabetes.org</b></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">.</span> </span></span></span><br />
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<b>Health Insurance Plan Selection<br />
</b><br />
Many Georgia workers and their families are getting ready to consider their health insurance options for next year. It’s the annual open enrollment period, during which important decisions about health care will be made that will affect millions of Georgians.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, sometimes these decisions often are made quickly and with little examination of the health plan’s details. A recent survey conducted for MetLife found that three out of four workers will spend no more time than they did last year on a health plan selection; only 13 percent will spend more time. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,Georgia; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Take the time to review your health plan</b></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>.</b> The open enrollment periods provide the time, the resources and the accessibility workers need to choose wisely. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>What should you look for when selecting a health insurance plan?</b> Please click the link below to review ARxC's <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">advice on how to select a health insurance plan.<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/2010_Annual_Open_Enrollment_Alert_from_ARxC.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"><b>ARxC 2010 Annual Open Enrollment Alert</b></span></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Check Your Medications<br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">As a patient advocacy organization, ARxC <span style="font-size: 16px;">receives </span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> many calls and e-mail asking questions about prescription drugs, substituting medications and problems with prescription compliance by the Insurance Provider and Pharmacists. <br />
<br />
</span>The attached documents are tools for you to utilize<br />
to ensure that you receive <b>exactly</b> the medication specified by your physician<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Check_your_Medications.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Check Your Medications</b></span></a></span> __________________________________________<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Patient Rights</b> <br />
<br />
ARxC feels it is critical that all people in the United States become familiar with the American Patient Bill of Rights. Please review the following document to ensure your rights as a patient are upheld.<br />
<br />
</span><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Patient_Bill_of_Rights_Pres._Obamadoc.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Patient Bill of Rights</span></b></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="display: block;">Advocacy Events and Partners</div><div class="sf_extra6"></div><div class="sf_extra11"></div><div style="font-size: 11px; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><img alt="" height="337" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/99d677975fbd678f6ed166467e773745_0t3x.png" width="456" /><br />
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<br />
ARxC's New Partner in Patient Advocacy: The International Medical Clinic<br />
<br />
</b>The International Medical Clinic (IMC)</span><span style="background-color: white; border-image: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"> is a unique, patient-centered multi-specialty community medical clinic in the Atlanta area providing patient access for everyone. IMC is a one-of-a-kind affordable medical center, speaking 14 languages and featuring 11 medical specialties. The IMC medical staff spotlights outstanding customer service and patient-satisfied outcomes. Realizing the need for patient access to medical care I Atlanta and its surrounding communities, IMC treats all patients from lower income, middle income to upper middle income households who are uninsured, under- insured or those who have an exceptionally high insurance deductible. Our patients are American, Hispanic, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">Caribbean, <wbr></wbr>Brazilian, Korean, Russian, African, as well as from many other places. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; border-image: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">The mission of IMC is to provide affordable access to medical care while improving the health of its community.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information please watch this short interview of the IMC , Medical Director, Dr. Mel Colon.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; border-image: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eyoutube%2Ecom%2Fwatch%3Fv=NYm4z0Wsm9M&urlhash=V_m9&_t=mbox_grop" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr></wbr>v=NYm4z0Wsm9M</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; border-image: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">International Medical Clinic</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; border-image: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5979 Buford Highway</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; border-image: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doraville, Georgia 30340</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; border-image: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 12pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Telephone: <a href="tel:678-547-0000" target="_blank" value="+16785470000"><span class="skype_pnh_container" dir="ltr" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0px 0px !important; border-collapse: separate !important; border-color: #000000 !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: 0px !important; bottom: auto !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; cursor: pointer !important; direction: ltr !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; font-size: 11px !important; height: 14px !important; left: auto !important; letter-spacing: 0px !important; line-height: 14px !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; overflow-x: hidden !important; overflow-y: hidden !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; page-break-after: auto !important; page-break-before: auto !important; page-break-inside: auto !important; position: static !important; right: auto !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-align: left !important; text-decoration: none !important; top: auto !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; white-space: nowrap !important; width: auto !important; word-spacing: normal !important; z-index: 0 !important;" tabindex="-1"> <span class="skype_pnh_highlighting_inactive_common" dir="ltr" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-position: 0px 0px !important; border-collapse: separate !important; border-color: #000000 !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: 0px !important; bottom: auto !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; cursor: pointer !important; direction: ltr !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; height: 14px !important; left: auto !important; letter-spacing: 0px !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; overflow-x: hidden !important; overflow-y: hidden !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; page-break-after: auto !important; page-break-before: auto !important; page-break-inside: auto !important; position: static !important; right: auto !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-decoration: none !important; top: auto !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important; word-spacing: normal !important; z-index: 0 !important;" title="Click to make a low cost call with Skype"><span class="skype_pnh_left_span" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: url(chrome-extension://lifbcibllhkdhoafpjfnlhfpfgnpldfl/numbers_common_inactive_icon_set.gif) !important; background-position: 0px 0px !important; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-collapse: separate !important; border-color: #000000 !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: 0px !important; bottom: auto !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; cursor: pointer !important; direction: ltr !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; height: 14px !important; left: auto !important; letter-spacing: 0px !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; overflow-x: hidden !important; overflow-y: hidden !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; page-break-after: auto !important; page-break-before: auto !important; page-break-inside: auto !important; position: static !important; right: auto !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-decoration: none !important; top: auto !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: 6px !important; word-spacing: normal !important; z-index: 0 !important;" title="Skype actions"> </span><span class="skype_pnh_dropart_span" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: url(chrome-extension://lifbcibllhkdhoafpjfnlhfpfgnpldfl/numbers_common_inactive_icon_set.gif) !important; background-position: -11px 0px !important; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-collapse: separate !important; border-color: #000000 !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: 0px !important; bottom: auto !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; cursor: pointer !important; direction: ltr !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; height: 14px !important; left: auto !important; letter-spacing: 0px !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; overflow-x: hidden !important; overflow-y: hidden !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; page-break-after: auto !important; page-break-before: auto !important; page-break-inside: auto !important; position: static !important; right: auto !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-decoration: none !important; top: auto !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: 27px !important; word-spacing: normal !important; z-index: 0 !important;" title="Skype actions"><span class="skype_pnh_dropart_flag_span" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: url(chrome-extension://lifbcibllhkdhoafpjfnlhfpfgnpldfl/flags.gif) !important; background-position: -5849px 1px !important; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-collapse: separate !important; border-color: #000000 !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: 0px !important; bottom: auto !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; cursor: pointer !important; direction: ltr !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; height: 14px !important; left: auto !important; letter-spacing: 0px !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; overflow-x: hidden !important; overflow-y: hidden !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; page-break-after: auto !important; page-break-before: auto !important; page-break-inside: auto !important; position: static !important; right: auto !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-decoration: none !important; top: auto !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: 18px !important; word-spacing: normal !important; z-index: 0 !important;"> </span> </span><span class="skype_pnh_textarea_span" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: url(chrome-extension://lifbcibllhkdhoafpjfnlhfpfgnpldfl/numbers_common_inactive_icon_set.gif) !important; background-position: -125px 0px !important; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-collapse: separate !important; border-color: #000000 !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: 0px !important; bottom: auto !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; cursor: pointer !important; direction: ltr !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; height: 14px !important; left: auto !important; letter-spacing: 0px !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; overflow-x: hidden !important; overflow-y: hidden !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; page-break-after: auto !important; page-break-before: auto !important; page-break-inside: auto !important; position: static !important; right: auto !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-decoration: none !important; top: auto !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important; word-spacing: normal !important; z-index: 0 !important;"><span class="skype_pnh_text_span" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: url(chrome-extension://lifbcibllhkdhoafpjfnlhfpfgnpldfl/numbers_common_inactive_icon_set.gif) !important; background-position: -125px 0px !important; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-collapse: separate !important; border-color: #000000 !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: 0px !important; bottom: auto !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; cursor: pointer !important; direction: ltr !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; height: 14px !important; left: auto !important; letter-spacing: 0px !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; overflow-x: hidden !important; overflow-y: hidden !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; page-break-after: auto !important; page-break-before: auto !important; page-break-inside: auto !important; position: static !important; right: auto !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-decoration: none !important; top: auto !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important; word-spacing: normal !important; z-index: 0 !important;">678-547-0000</span></span><span class="skype_pnh_right_span" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: url(chrome-extension://lifbcibllhkdhoafpjfnlhfpfgnpldfl/numbers_common_inactive_icon_set.gif) !important; background-position: -62px 0px !important; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-collapse: separate !important; border-color: #000000 !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-style: none !important; border-width: 0px !important; bottom: auto !important; clear: none !important; clip: auto !important; cursor: pointer !important; direction: ltr !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; height: 14px !important; left: auto !important; letter-spacing: 0px !important; list-style-image: none !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; overflow-x: hidden !important; overflow-y: hidden !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; page-break-after: auto !important; page-break-before: auto !important; page-break-inside: auto !important; position: static !important; right: auto !important; table-layout: auto !important; text-decoration: none !important; top: auto !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: 15px !important; word-spacing: normal !important; z-index: 0 !important;"> </span></span> </span></a></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">_________________________________________________</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">2012 Latino Health Summit</span><br />
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</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">ARxC was proud to attend</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-size: 16px;">the 2012 Latino Health Summit. The event served as an opportunity for ARxC to engage with other community leaders to address the health and wellness needs of the Latino/Hispanic populations in the US. <img align="right" alt="" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/7f1b1ab57d23e996164947f4b44e75b2_42he_1wok_knaf.png" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px;" /><br />
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As a participant at the event, ARxC exchanged ideas with health care advocates, academic scholars, government officials, and other experts in Latino health. Health topics addressed at the event included cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">maternal and child </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">health, and behavioral health. </span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Dr. Karen Andes, Assistant Professor of Global Health at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, presented on the <a href="http://hhcga.org/pdf_events/HispanicReport_wCover.pdf" target="_blank">2012 Georgia Latino Health Report</a><span style="font-size: 16px;">, a </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">comprehensive report that synthesizes data on the health status and outcomes of Georgia Hispanics, at the event. The report highlights alarming disparities in health and access to health care endured by Hispanic populations in Georgia.<br />
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For more details about the event see the <a href="http://hhcga.org/pdf_events/programwebsite.pdf" target="_blank">2012 Latino Health Summit Program</a>.</span><br />
</span></span></span> <br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">_________________________________________________</b><br />
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<b style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">2012 Arthritis Walk</b><br />
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</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Thank you to all who came out to support the ARxC Wisdom Walkers and Heidi, this year's Arthritis Foundation adult honoree and our own STAR advocate, at the 2012 Arthritis Walk. <img align="left" alt="" height="192" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/45884af72019fb3dd64f6bed025b7f58_6pri_9d7m_vb0r.png" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px;" width="256" /></span><br />
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</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">We collected over 350 petitions at the event in support of the Patient Access to Treatment Act (PATA) and a number of people volunteered to share with us how specialty tiers has or may impact them or their loved ones. This fight to protect patient's full access to their medications is more important than ever given that more adults and children are being diagnosed with one of the 100 forms of arthritis everyday. You can show your support for PATA by filling out and sending us the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Promoting_Affordable_Access_to_Care_Petition__2.doc" target="_blank">Promoting Affordable Access to Care Petition</a> or by reaching out to your representatives directly through the </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.rheumatology.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp">ACR Legislative Action Center</a><span style="font-size: 16px;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Thank you to all who helped us reach our fundraising goal for the Walk. For all of those that would still like to make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation, there's still time. Go to our </span><a href="http://2012arthritiswalkatlanta.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=491944&lis=1&kntae491944=E8197E7CE2424F2FB1A59B34FD4183AC&supId=0&team=5030055&cj=Y" style="color: black;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">ARxC Wisdom Walkers webpage</span></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> to make a donation today.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Thank you to all who made the Arthritis Walk a success. We all had a great time visiting with folks, collecting petitions, and g</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-size: 16px;">etting physically active to help prevent, control, and find a cure for Arthritis.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><b>_________________________________________________</b></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"><b>Global Humanitarian Summit</b><br />
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ARxC attended the 2012 Global Humanitarian Summit in April 2012 to stay informed on advocacy efforts that are being led in Georgia, in the United States, and throughout the world. <br />
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To read about the speakers and exhibitors at the event go to the <a href="http://www.imvc.org/" target="_blank">Global Humanitarian Summit website</a>. <b><br />
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<b>Empowering the Patient Seminar</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><br />
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Thank you to those that attended the "Empowering the Patient" seminar on March 10, 2012. We were pleased to see from the event evaluation that you all found the event to provide valuable information and tools to help you play a more active role in<img align="right" alt="" height="191" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/05e852352324cadaa0db98260c74771e_q4fc_1ob7.png" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px;" width="178" /> ensuring your own health and well-being. Please go to our photo gallery to see images from the event.</span> </span></span> <br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">ARxC plans to hold more events like this one in the future. If you or your organization would like to host an event please contact ARxC directly.</span> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">For more information about the "Empowering the Patient" seminar please contact ARxC President,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Who_We_Are.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Dorothy Leone-Glasser, RN, HCC</span></a>, or Ayana Charleston, the Southeast Region Arthritis Foundation Program Services Director at </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 8.5pt;"><a href="tel:404-2374454" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;">404-237-4454</span></a></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;">.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> _________________________________________________ </span></b></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">ARxC Co-Sponsors the Baby Expo</span></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARxC co-sponsored the Baby Expo with El Nuevo Georgia on <b>November 12, 2011</b>, at the Atlanta Eagles Sports Center on Buford Hwy in Atlanta. The multicultural event was focused on providing new and expecting mothers with information </span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><img align="right" alt="" height="288" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/baby_expo_small_rwjc_q6ae_nwto.png" style="background-color: white; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; font-size: 16px;" width="252" /></span> <br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and resources to promote the health and wellness of mothers and their babies. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Thank you to all who came out for the event. We enjoyed visiting with you and providing you with information on clinics to access in the Atlanta area. We hope you received valuable information and enjoyed the event activities. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">_________________________________________________</span></b></div><div style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ARxC Appeals to the Fulton Board of Commissioners to Keep the Grady Health System Accountable</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <div style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While ARxC continues to work towards finding a solution for the Grady dialysis patients, we continue to hold Grady Hospital accountable for serving the indigent residents of Fulton and Dekalb counties (see<span style="font-size: 11px;"> </span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Letter_to_Commissioner_Darnell.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank">Letter of Support to</a><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Letter_to_Commissioner_Darnell.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"> Commissio</a></span><span style="color: orange;"><a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/ARxC_Letter_to_Commissioner_Darnell.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank">ner Emma Darnell</a></span>).</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><img align="right" alt="" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/a1bffd5930c6e6e754013d940a8dda23_w9xn.png" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-left;" /></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">ARxC will continue to work towards keeping the G</span></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">rady Health System accountable and if they cannot be, to take action and insist to the Fulton and DeKalb Boards that their funding to operate these clinics cease. For the welfare of the patients who u</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">se these clinics and to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, we support the clinic funding that GHS would receive to instead go to establishing a National Health Clinic for Georgia or a Community Health Center or partner with an existing Community Health Center to take over operations of the Otis Smith and South DeKalb clinics.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <br />
For further details please read the statement that Dorothy Leone-Glasser presented to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on April 25, 2011 by clicking this link: <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Fulton_Board_Comm.Statement_4.20.11.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">April 25, 2011 Statement to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners</span></a>.<br />
<br />
You can also read an article published by the Atlanta Progressive News by clicking this link: <a href="http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/interspire/news/2011/04/24/grady-plans-to-close-community-clinics-fulton-opposes-closures.html" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 16px;">Grady Plans to Close Community Clinics, Fulton Opposes Closures</span></a>.</span></div></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">_______________________________________________</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARxC Protests the Closing of the Grady Health</span></b></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>System Primary Care Clinics<br />
<br />
</b></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As advocates for all patients of Georgia, ARxC works to hold Grady Hospital accountable to their mission statement of providing medical care to the public. Please read the <a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Press_Release_ARxC_to_GHS_accountaable_4.3.11.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">April 3, 2011 Press Release</span></a> to become better informed about ARxC’s approach to ensure that all patients have access to the care they need.</span></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><img align="left" alt="" height="517" src="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/images/otis_smith_clinic_protest_oars.jpg" style="border-image: initial; border: 0px solid; height: 177px; width: 232px;" width="647" />Commissioner Emma Darnell of Fulton County, a long time partner with ARxC, has spearheaded the effort to hold the Grady Health System accountable to their targeted population. In a<a href="http://www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/uploads/Comm_Darnell_letter_for_Com_Bd_meeting.pdf" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Commissioner Darnell's Letter to ARxC</span></a>, Commissioner </span><span style="color: black;">Darnell strongly supports ARxC’s demonstrations and efforts to protest the rights of the poor and underserved. To learn more about Commissioner Darnell’s record in upholding access to health care for Georgia’s indigent please go to her <a href="http://www.emmadarnell.com/healthcare.htm" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">webpage</span></a>.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Advocates for Responsible Care<br />
1434 Brook Valley Lane NE<br />
Atlanta, GA 30324<br />
<br />
phone: 404-633-5843<br />
fax: 404-321-5952</span></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="display: block;"><span style="color: orange;">Please Donate</span></div><div class="sf_extra6"></div><div class="sf_extra11"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ARxC relies entirely upon private donations for the continuation of our services. Your donations will go far to help ARxC's fight to ensure all people have access to health care.<br />
<span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><br />
Thank you for your generosity.<br />
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
There are three ways to make your tax-deductible donation to ARxC.<br />
<br />
<b>1)</b> Send your check or money order directly to ARxC at<br />
<br />
<b>ARxC <br />
1434 Brook Valley Lane<br />
Atlanta, GA 30324<br />
</b><br />
<b>2)</b> Donate online with a credit card by clicking the "donate" button on their website.</span><br />
</span> <br />
</span> </span></div><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>3)</b> Directly deposit your donation to the <b>Rosa Lira Memorial Fund</b></span> at any Wells Fargo bank. </form><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <br />
Thank you for your generosity. <br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"> ____________________________________________________________</span></span><br />
</b></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"></span> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-size: 12px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span> </span></div></span></div></div><div><div class="yiv778880294h5"><div class="yiv778880294MsoNormal"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="yiv778880294gmail_quote"></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-88508796936503679692012-07-31T02:20:00.000-04:002012-07-31T02:20:20.068-04:00Blog Carnival Accepting Submissions Extended Thru Aug. 10!!Do you still want to be a part of the Blog Carnival? Have no Fear!!!!!!!! The due date for accepting submissions for the Blog Carnival has been extended through Friday August 10th. This is so exciting because July is JA Awareness Month, and we are continuing the Movement with IAAM into August!!!<br />
<br />
The Topic for submission is Why Is JA Different From OA?<br />
<br />
This is extrememly important on so many levels. There are people out there who still don't know that arthritis can affect kids. The type of arthritis that affects kids is Juvenile Arthritis which is Autoimmune Arthritis which is different from our Grandma's Arthritis. It is not the same as a little arthritis in your knee!<br />
<br />
Please send in your submissions and let us know why they differ! People need to know that when kids are sick from arthritis, it is often more severe and can be more life-threatening, but if they can catch it early, that is the key!!!<br />
<br />
You can not be born with Arthritis but you can be born with Autoimmune Arthritis...Tell us about it!!!<br />
<br />
Enter your submission in the Blog Carnival due Aug. 10th. Let's continue JA Awareness. Email submissions to danalm_iaam@yahoo.com.<br />
<br />
Let's Keep up the JA Awareness Movement!<br />
<br />
Watch my recent video post total hip replacement...I hope it will inspire you. When someone has had a second hip replacement and a shoulder replacement and is in her 30's from AVN due to complications of Autoimmune Arthritis, people will realize that Autoimmune Arthritis is not the same as Osteoarthritis...Differentiate your diagnosis...Tell us why JA differs from OA...<br />
<br />
I will give a prize to the blog post that has put the most time, thought and creativity into it...So...start writing!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QHUw6Ke83dA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-45327489500056525682012-07-30T15:32:00.000-04:002012-07-30T15:32:32.476-04:00If I Could Do It; You Can Do It Too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QHUw6Ke83dA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-48285856157297092002012-07-18T18:05:00.000-04:002012-07-18T18:05:01.238-04:00IAAM/WAAD is teaming up with the Arthritis Foundation (US) and EULAR to make WAD!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH4pjG7RLXYxzo44leeVWcHtnWskIpnOgugfOHHbjXBod7rP2yWcD7SgCDibdoRbklbxokzTm5mcDKoyS1SP59S1Q5IkcPgLMUuDauN7nRPnoYshz8lR9YUBt9Nj3wQfzfpk4uLI9vPZg/s1600/555493_3782977125234_805324797_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH4pjG7RLXYxzo44leeVWcHtnWskIpnOgugfOHHbjXBod7rP2yWcD7SgCDibdoRbklbxokzTm5mcDKoyS1SP59S1Q5IkcPgLMUuDauN7nRPnoYshz8lR9YUBt9Nj3wQfzfpk4uLI9vPZg/s400/555493_3782977125234_805324797_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am Dana. I have Psoriatic Arthritis, Sjogren's & possible Lupus & Ankylosing Spndylitis. IAAM Waving for WAD!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">IAAM/WAAD is teaming up with the Arthritis Foundation (US) and EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) to
make World Arthritis Day (WAD), October 12th, a ginormous awareness event for
all the groups of arthritis. In doing this, we are asking you to
participate in the WAVE for WAD campaign! <br />
<br />
It's simple: </span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
1. Take a photo or video of you waving OR doing the wave OR riding a wave, etc. It is your changce to get really creative!<br />
2. Submit it to: <a href="http://www.worldarthritisday.org/waving-photo-upload" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.worldarthritisday.org/waving-photo-upload</a><br />
3. Each wave counts for a wave from your country! <span class="text_exposed_show">Periodic
mentions of which countries are in the lead will be mentioned. Let's
each work hard to get our countries in the lead! Let's lift up those
rankings, people!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br />
IAAM is making it even more fun by posting CALL TO ACTION Challenges.
Should you choose to accept, you are in for loads of FUN!!!!!!!!<br /> <br />
WAVE for WAD:
Challenge #1- Take a photo of yourself or others waving while holding a
sign that states the type of arthritis you have. This challenge is aimed
to show that the arthritis diseases affect diffferent ranges of age,--a
whole spectrum of ages from babies to the elderly--and there are
different types of arthritis as well which can
help to differentiate different branches. Feel free to use the specific
name of the arthritis type(s) (ie: Psoriatic Arthritis,
Osteoarthritis) OR a descriptive name (ie: Autoimmune Arthritis,
Degenerative Arthritis, etc). <br /> <br /> Submit it to: <a href="http://www.worldarthritisday.org/waving-photo-upload" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.worldarthritisday.org/waving-photo-upload</a>
and see it posted live soon! Follow them on the WAD facebook page
(https://www.facebook.com/worldarthritisday) as well as the WAAD
facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WorldAutoimmuneArthritisDay) and
IAAM facebook
(pagehttps://www.facebook.com/InternationalAutoimmuneArthritisMovement).
Use it to challenge your friends and see
if they will also take the Wave for Arthritis Challenge #1!...and when
it comes to IAAM, it there is a Challent #1, you better believe there
will be a #2, #3, #4, etc. etc., etc.,... </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_50064435253301207405674" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">ATTENTION AUTOIMMUNE ARTHRITIS'ERS:<br />
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO START CHANGING THE WAY THE WORLD VIEWS "ARTHRITIS"!</span></i><br />
<br />
IAAM was brought in to the 2012 World Arthritis Day (WAD) campaign to
help bring more awareness to Autoimmune Arthritis so LET'S</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text_exposed_show">
DO IT! While you may always simply upload a photo of you waving, IAAM
has put an awareness spin on the Wave for WAD campaign by posting Call
to Action Challenges!<br /> <br /> Challenge #1: We are starting out easy,
but in true IAAM fashion they'll get more challenging and more FUN ;).
Take a photo of yourself, your friends, anyone with Autoimmune
Arthritis, wave to WAD BUT ADD SOMETHING TO SHOW WHAT TYPE OF ARTHRITIS
YOU HAVE. If you have an Autoimmune Arthritis disease, show it! If you
have OA, write down Degenerative Arthritis and show that- The purpose is
to start DIFFERENTIATING THE TERMINOLOGY FOR CHALLENGE #1.<br /> <br /> Once you've done this and downloaded it to <a href="http://www.worldarthritisday.org/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.worldarthritisday.org</a>
your country will get another "wave" added to their total, so in
addition to awareness you are also helping to make YOUR country the
leader in the awareness campaign.<br /> <br /> Come on Autoimmune Arthritisers! NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO START CHANGING THE WAY THE WORLD VIEWS ARTHRITIS!</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="mvm uiStreamAttachments" data-ft="{"type":10,"tn":"H"}">
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<a class="external UIImageBlock_Image UIImageBlock_MED_Image" data-ft="{"type":41,"tn":"E"}" href="http://www.worldarthritisday.org/" rel="nofollow" tabindex="-1" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="img" src="https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQB-h4o8c8KanRJi&w=90&h=90&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldarthritisday.org%2FResources%2FImages%2Fshoes.jpg" /></a><div class="UIImageBlock_Content UIImageBlock_MED_Content fsm fwn fcg">
<div class="uiAttachmentTitle" data-ft="{"type":11,"tn":"C"}">
<strong><a href="http://www.worldarthritisday.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">World Arthritis Day 2012 Homepage</a></strong> </div>
<span class="caption" data-ft="{"tn":"L"}"><a href="http://www.worldarthritisday.org/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.worldarthritisday.org</a></span></div>
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</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-28880505213032460032012-07-13T00:43:00.003-04:002012-07-19T13:32:26.542-04:00What Do YOU Think of When You Hear The Word " ARTHRITIS"?--Ask Parker<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">What do YOU think of when you hear the word “ARTHRITIS”? </h3><div class="post-header"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwY8frxGFj49DBk1L6WOAgcMIsiyGYyq97ZTfh_4rPISbn2jYtU0d_fLmGyDQ5b0tlKqQjVNEhgPpNdiJeP-c_0tT8PLWMi4Jc3253yFdbconhtu_pWeSQMv-K-o_RmShteP4S8eHnNCD/s1600/JA2012awarenessMonth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwY8frxGFj49DBk1L6WOAgcMIsiyGYyq97ZTfh_4rPISbn2jYtU0d_fLmGyDQ5b0tlKqQjVNEhgPpNdiJeP-c_0tT8PLWMi4Jc3253yFdbconhtu_pWeSQMv-K-o_RmShteP4S8eHnNCD/s400/JA2012awarenessMonth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When I was younger, if I didn’t know the meaning of a word, my mom would say “look it up”…well, I decided to look up “arthritis” for the fun of it…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Merriam-Webster dictionary defines arthritis as:</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes; also<b>:</b> a specific arthritic condition (as gouty arthritis or psoriatic arthritis)”</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Let’s dive in a little deeper</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">… Most of us hear the word arthritis and think of the form called “osteoarthritis” and yet we use the word “arthritis” as if it is interchangeable with the word “osteoarthritis”. We all know someone, usually an older person, who has arthritis…in fact, it is so “accepted” as the norm that many elders will say something like “oh, it’s just my arthritis acting up” if you ask why they are moving with caution in some way. Our culture/society expects this because it’s only natural as one ages. But why do we accept pain as acceptable…it’s not something anyone should have to experience.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Osteoarthrtits (OA) as: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="ssens">arthritis typically with onset during middle or old age that is characterized by degenerative and sometimes hypertrophic changes in the bone and cartilage of one or more joints and a progressive wearing down of apposing joint surfaces with consequent distortion of joint position and is marked symptomatically especially by pain, swelling, and stiffness—abbreviation </span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">OA</span></i></i><span class="ssens">; called also </span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, hypertrophic arthritis”</span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">OA is NOT what children with juvenile arthritis have! </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Juvenile arthritis is a form of rheumatoid arthritis and more specifically is differentiated from OA because it’s an autoimmune arthritis. Juvenile arthritis is not NATURAL in any of its various forms. Yet, many families experiencing JA have heard at one point or another, something to the effect of “Oh, I know about that (referring to JA), I get arthritis in my …” or “My grandma has arthritis…” or “I had tennis elbow and that really hurts…” All of these comments are very well-intended. They are a way of showing compassion or an attempt to relate to a disease that many know very little about. But as a parent or a child/teen dealing with the disease, these comments are incredibly frustrating to hear spoken aloud because we painfully know that osteoarthritis is not synonymous with Juvenile arthritis in any way shape or form; except that they share one commonality in that the diseases both affect joints. Juvenile arthritis (also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) is an autoimmune disease.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Merriam-Webster defines rheumatoid arthritis as: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="ssens">a usually chronic disease that is considered an autoimmune disease and is characterized especially by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of joints—abbreviation </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal;">RA</span></i><span class="ssens"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">; called also </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal;">atrophic arthritis”</span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">and autoimmune is:</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">“</span></i><span class="ssens"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">of, relating to, or caused by antibodies or T cells that attack molecules, cells, or tissues of the organism producing them”</span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span class="ssens"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">and atrophy (verb: atrophic) is: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue; </i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">also</span></i><span class="ssens"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:</span></i></b><span class="ssens"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant”</span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Juvenile arthritis (JA) comes in many forms and severities range from one end of the spectrum to the other. Just as the various 100 plus forms of JA differ, so does the treatment. Researchers are still learning about JA; there is still so much that is unknown. And even if one treatment plan works for one child with the very same form of JA as another, it doesn’t guarantee it will work for every child with that form. Each child is an individual. Thus the challenge for pediatric rheumatologists is great.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I know that families who read our blog, especially whose child is newly diagnosed, may worry even more after reading about Parker. But I want to reassure families to remember that just because something doesn’t work (or does work) for our child, doesn’t mean the same will happen if the treatment is used for their child. I have heard that some families get really scared after reading about Parker. We never intended to scare anyone, but we do ALL desperately need a cure for our children no matter where we are at in this JA journey. Parker does have a severe and progressive form of JA called systemic on-set juvenile arthritis (also known as still’s disease). Recently, we have learned that even with systemic on-set there are some who have less than 5 joints involved (oligo) and some who have more than 5 joints involved (poly) and that it’s children who are poly in nature that seem to have a more progressive form of the disease and that children with systemic on-set seem to have more immunology issues. For readers who are not familiar with systemic on-set JA, these children not only have joint involvement but also can have issues with rashes, fevers, and inflammation in any organ in the entire body (source: <a href="http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/44/11/1350.full.pdf+html" target="_blank">http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/44/11/1350.full.pdf+html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Our family has chosen to be vocal about our experiences because we feel it is one way we can raise awareness and advocate for what is needed for ALL CHILDREN with autoimmune diseases. They ALL deserve equal attention and we really feel that if researchers could figure out one autoimmune disease, it would help with making progress on all autoimmune diseases.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GYy6ZSBvhvwUzWhorl34ihM8_q8XF9ITILrDjwuhwCz1Y0VzvrHMz4MaKkWOwR9quWyEbPY60ZIDVyNhJuqPcWjD8NTorMspE782Vt13eqqKwbUyHan2iyGZvoPGPfyKz0N4zCc7YdX4/s1600/IMAG1262.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GYy6ZSBvhvwUzWhorl34ihM8_q8XF9ITILrDjwuhwCz1Y0VzvrHMz4MaKkWOwR9quWyEbPY60ZIDVyNhJuqPcWjD8NTorMspE782Vt13eqqKwbUyHan2iyGZvoPGPfyKz0N4zCc7YdX4/s400/IMAG1262.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael, Logan, Parker, and Jesse (Logan's best bud) watch the sunset</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> So tonight the rain clouds drifted away as we watch the sunset on another glorious day. We send out love to all families dealing with Juvenile Arthritis in any size, shape, or form. May we all see a CURE become reality for our future children!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">IAAM's JA Awareness MOVEMENT....</span></b></i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> </b></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">Thank you for being the next <b>Guest Blogger</b> on both of my blogs. You are so wonderful for sharing your <b>Personal JA Story</b>. If you have any questions </span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">for mom, dad, big brother, or this little warrior Parker</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">, please go to their blog,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <i><a href="http://purpleplayapower.blogspot.com/"><b>Parker's Purple Playa Power..Pounding JA</b></a></i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">. <b><i>"</i></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>A mom, dad, big brother, and warrior sharing our perspectives of Juvenile Arthritis, a painful autoimmune illness affecting joints and internal organs…JA affects over 300,000 children in the US and many also have other autoimmune illnesses. There are multiple forms of JA; some less severe than others. Parker has system onset JA with overlap syndrome, along with severe allergies and asthma. Although there isn't a cure yet; we proudly pound at JA together with HOPE for a cure!" </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Whether you have <b>JA</b>, are a parent of someone with JA, or care for someone with JA, I am looking for <b>Guest Bloggers</b> all month long!!!! </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">If you have a <b>JA Personal Story</b> you would like to share, please <b>email your story</b> to Dana at <b>danalm_iaam@yahoo.com</b> with your <b>title, blog name and URL</b>, <b>your name </b>as you would like it published <b>on my two blogs </b>and on <b>IAAM's Facebook Public Pages</b>. If you do not have a blog, that is OK, you can still share your story, simply send me your story in a <b>Word Document</b> <b>with</b> your <b>picture</b> attached and I will put it into my blog for you. It is that simple. ;-)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">I </span>also want to let all the JA parents out there (and JA supporters and advocates) that <b>IAAM </b>initially launched our <b>Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Movement</b> Monday, July 9th, dedicated to set a new standard in JA awareness :). We started the campaign by hosting a <b>Video Contest</b> unlike anything seen or done before--but until now awareness has not reached an acceptable level so we are going to change all of that! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This initial campaign, a <b>60 secondish video commercial competition</b> for <b>YOU</b> to help blast dozens of short messages to the world so others can understand. The <b>subject? JA and OA: Differentiating Arthritis.</b> These short segments should <b>simply show WHY JA is different than OA</b>.</span></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Because people are not always comfortable with new things, our <b>video idea</b> is a totally <b>new idea</b>, we want to make sure <b>everyone has a chance</b> do a good job, and we want to make sure we have <b>enough time</b> to <b>make it fun</b> for everyone, <b>IAAM CEO Tiffany Westrich</b> is using her time to host her <b>"training sessions."</b> Tiffany is extremely talented at her training sessions, and they should run long enough so that <b>everyone gets</b> enough <b>help</b> to <b>understand how to do the videos</b> and turn brainstorming concept into imagery. <b>She will also tape the training sessions like a course on brainstorming concept to imagery</b>, which she taught in college. We will launch a <b>new call for videos from the 16th through the 30th of August</b>.</span></span></h6><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Voting</b> will take place <b>in September.</b> <b>3 Finalists</b> will be selected, resulting from <b>IAAM voting</b> and <b>20% PUBLIC voting</b> so you can blast that sucker everywhere! <b>One Grand Prize winner (selected in October) </b>will receive a complimentary <b>rental house7 night stay</b>, 4 bedroom, 3 bath property in <b>Orlando Florida</b> just a few miles from Disney and Universal Studios. Prize donated by FloridaHolidayHomes4U. Restrictions apply.<br />
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We <b>KNOW you can say</b> what the <b>differences</b> are, but if you <b>aren't sure how to put</b> those words <b>into</b> an effective <b>video</b> HAVE NO FEAR! As part of this initiative, remember that <b>Tiffany, IAAM CEO</b> and Founder, happened to also teach <b>advanced design at a college level</b>, which i<b>ncluded how to take concepts into imagery</b>. She is the one who designs all of our posters and videos, and she is donating her time to <b>personally teach you how</b> to do it too!<br />
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<b>Interested in learning more</b>?! Awesome! <b>Email JAContest@IAAMovement.org</b> for more details!!!<br />
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</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>IAAM's Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Movement has begun!</i></span></b></span><br />
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Time to put your thinking caps on and <b>decide how YOU</b> <b>would like to see JA differentiated from OA </b>in short, <b>impactful video form</b>...and <b>IAAM will TEACH</b> you <b>how to make your visions a reality!</b> <b>Sign up today to participate at JAContest@IAAMovement.org!</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">WATCH THE VIDEO: <span style="color: blue;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmfsJ4IP9_E&feature=g-upl</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1svCJKaaJ0/UAg51JSW4PI/AAAAAAAAHgg/Xw7-uW4dgw4/s1600/557090_464967420195098_1636304544_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1svCJKaaJ0/UAg51JSW4PI/AAAAAAAAHgg/Xw7-uW4dgw4/s400/557090_464967420195098_1636304544_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><span style="font-size: small;">In the meantime, I am <b>hosting a Blog Carnival</b> on my <b>2 Blogs</b> and facebook Public Pages. Please send your blog posts to Dana at danalm_iaam@yahoo.com. The Blog Carnival should help with your brainstorming of ideas for the making of your video for the JA Video Contest. The Topic for the Blog Carnival is also JA and OA: Differentiating Arthritis. WHY is JA different than OA? All Blog Carnival submissions are <span style="background-color: white;">due July 27th</span> and will go live on <span style="background-color: white;">August 4th.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-12226867774806113282012-07-07T23:55:00.002-04:002012-07-19T14:10:51.592-04:00Alexa: My Story<div id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363608" style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: 'Marker Felt'; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363617" style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Marker Felt'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363616" style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">When people ask for my story I’m never really sure where to start. Do I start with when I first noticed the pain, when I was diagnosed or where I am at now? For now I will start with when it all began. I had just turned <b>14 years old</b>, and I was soon to be a freshman in high school. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeQjPpqZFkKJxCmgN-LxWFGuHR0Wr0d_4n9Q4SfAMxkugPth9NtaiABqzC4dE2sxJzxyERtjU6Gxd23JGd1ueaNbU6iaki2ZRYRX1pK7Q31OL-GeyxhmhHDP_cjS5TR2nArUI217opoA/s1600/DSC_0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeQjPpqZFkKJxCmgN-LxWFGuHR0Wr0d_4n9Q4SfAMxkugPth9NtaiABqzC4dE2sxJzxyERtjU6Gxd23JGd1ueaNbU6iaki2ZRYRX1pK7Q31OL-GeyxhmhHDP_cjS5TR2nArUI217opoA/s400/DSC_0845.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363616" style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">I was so excited, it was the next step in my life, and I could finally do a sport that I was good at, golf. Another new thing to me was marching band. Practices for both started in early August. The more active I was the more I was noticing pain. It all started in my wrists and my knees. My wrists would pop, snap, and crack every time I would pull the club back, it got so bad to the point that I couldn’t even hold the club up very well. My coach sent me to our HS athletic trainer to have her look at them. When I talked to her she said that yes they were swollen, but it was probably just tendonitis. She wrapped them up for me and I was on my way. As for my knee marching band was starting to get the best of me, both knees hurt, only one popped. After awhile my parents gave in and sent me to an orthopedic surgeon in town. Worst decision ever made. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363616" style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">When we went he diagnosed me with an extra band of tissue in my right knee, after so long though with no results we transferred to DeVos Children’s Hospital. There they took care of my knee and diagnosed me with a torn meniscus which 3 surgeries later would be fixed. Even though there was nothing visibly wrong with my left knee he was convinced the pain was coming from somewhere. He did some lab tests and got my inflammatory count back, mine was 7x’s what the normal persons is. I didn’t let that stop me though, I continued to do marching band, golf and even added dance team. So at <b>age 15</b> I was sent to some doctor called a <b>Rheumatologist</b>, at the time I had no idea who it was nor why I was going there. My first visit the doctor looked at me and said I’m not too worried about your knee right now I’m worried about your wrists and ankles. Then it all made sense the pain I was putting up with as a freshman, and it just continued. From there I was sent in for several tests and started on some medications, along with scheduling several MRI’s. I had an amazing doctor who was determined to find out what I had and what he could do to help me. At <b>age 16</b> I decided to do swimming instead of golf, along with continuing marching band, and dance team. Swimming was not such a smart decision, the repetitive motion was killer, so I switched to diving. Diving I found a true passion for I loved it so much. The only issue is due to everything I could never get as high as the other divers or stand as much as they could. I still pressed on though. When it came to marching band everyone gave me so much crap about my <b>invisible disease</b>, I was a faker in their eyes because you couldn’t physically see the hurt, after that I was done. I couldn’t handle going home crying every night because of the pain mixed with the things that people would say to me. The rest of the year pretty much went the same way the whole time I’m being put on a mix of medications, none of them that ever did anything for me. Going into my senior year at <b>age 17</b> things took a huge turn for the worse. Everything hurt, my rib cage which made it hard to breathe, my back which made it hard to sit in a chair, my ankles which made it hard to jump for diving, my knees, <b>everything and anything that could hurt did</b>. Then I received my diagnosis. <b>Ankylosing spondylitis</b>. It was hard to hear for so long I feared the unknown, but now I was scared of the known and what the future had in store for me. After that things continued to decline, I was put on meds that made me sick. The pain grew to the point I had to stop the activities that I love. It was all over terrible. It finally hit a plateau going into my freshmen year of college. I stayed home and went to a community college. And then here I am now. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363616" style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">I’m going to be a sophomore in college, I’m going to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. The reason I decided on there was because the constant dry heat. My AS has not been doing too great, recently the doctor told me, that I may not ever reach remission. I’m on sulfasalazine, relafen, remicade, and temporarily on prednisione. It’s been a rough journey, I’m right now a camp counselor at a YMCA camp, and I love it, but I would be lying if I said that it was easy. The fact that I have AS will always make life a little more complicated, sometimes I have to say no to things due to my limits. Going through it at such a young age I think made it harder. High school is hard enough already, but dealing with an invisible disease that <b>people don’t understand </b>makes it even harder. One time I recall my legs got so painful, I just couldn’t even walk on my own anymore and so I used crutches. I became known as the class faker. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363616" style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wish people could understand that <b>arthritis is a tough thing and adults aren’t the only ones suffering, kids get arthritis too</b>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"> <i><b>IAAM's JA Awareness MOVEMENT....</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363616" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">What a great pleasure to have Alexa as the second </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">JA Guest Blogger on both of my blogs. Thank you for sharing your personal story. If you have any questions for Alexa, please ask the questions through me and I will send them to her. If you have a JA Personal Story you would like to share, please email your story to Dana at danalm_iaam@yahoo.com with your title, blog name and URL, your name as you would like it published on my two blogs and on IAAM's Facebook Public Pages. If you do not have a blog, that is OK, you can still share your story, simply send me your story in a Word Document with your picture attached and I will put it into my blog for you. It is that simple. ;-)</span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whether you have JA, are a parent of someone with JA, or care for someone with JA, I am looking for <b>Guest Bloggers</b>!!!! It is <b>JA Awareness Month</b>, and <b>IAAM</b> is launching its <b>Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Movement</b>! We'll launch this initiative on Monday <b>July 9th</b> so check back! Until then, a sneak preview: JA isn't the same as having Degenerative Arthritis and <b>YOU</b> will have the opportunity to tell the world why! Stay tuned, it's about to get goooood ;). Watch out because <b>IAAM</b>'s new JA Campaign is gonna blow JA Awareness out of the water! In true <b>IAAM</b> style it will be a little out-of-the-box and will allow <b>YOU</b> to shine! </span></span><span id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363616" style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363615"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Share this poster with your friends...see if they know the answer.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></i></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR2u80qdJzL9dX71OwU5u4wKs-AC06wwoDm0w978ENAjWKpqfg3boyMqB3CTcwUEj4Z_EheC0jDjjVAxv8jdoaMpemMuB3MWdQVC6wF2M_R3gXC3vOMJDScH8ix0J3KS72dGfI7l5Dsc/s1600/457001_263937203711359_2038764333_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR2u80qdJzL9dX71OwU5u4wKs-AC06wwoDm0w978ENAjWKpqfg3boyMqB3CTcwUEj4Z_EheC0jDjjVAxv8jdoaMpemMuB3MWdQVC6wF2M_R3gXC3vOMJDScH8ix0J3KS72dGfI7l5Dsc/s400/457001_263937203711359_2038764333_o.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></span><span id="yui_3_2_0_6_1341635257363616" style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><br />
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</b></span></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-59243183703000816212012-07-07T00:49:00.002-04:002012-07-19T14:19:24.487-04:00My Journey with JRA<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"> My name is <b>Shelley-Rose Cook</b>, and I’m going to be a senior in High School in the fall. I’m <b>17</b>, and very soon going on 18! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zpZX3O4W--A/UAhNCdGBYlI/AAAAAAAAHxs/MmR7FmXr9_Q/s1600/IMG00611-20111011-2256%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zpZX3O4W--A/UAhNCdGBYlI/AAAAAAAAHxs/MmR7FmXr9_Q/s400/IMG00611-20111011-2256%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">I’m told I started exhibiting JRA symptoms when I was about <b>1-2 years old</b>, and was finally given the JRA diagnosis when I was about 4-5 years old. I’m from south Florida, but due to my parents’ jobs, I have been residing in Europe basically my whole life, and going to one of the American schools overseas. However, I’m moving back home to the US in one year, because I will be starting college! I have JRA, which recently developed into Rheumatoid Arthritis, as well as Endometriosis.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">In terms of the effect of the illness, I wish I had been told how my life would be affected. Although I was very young when I was diagnosed and placed on a string of meds, due to an unfortunate series of events about three years ago, I don’t really remember anything from before that. As such, I do not really remember what it was like to have RA. Ironically, during and after the series of unfortunate events, I was lucky enough to experience a two-three year “hiatus” of the RA symptoms. However, over the last seven months, my RA has come roaring back. Currently I have it in both feet, knees, hips, and both wrists. In addition, the RA has been causing a long & serious bout of tendonitis too – located in both my feet, both hands, and both knees. It’s been pretty painful! Another thing I wish I was told – all the side effects of the meds! Frequent nausea/vomiting, headaches, infections (and not just limited to the sinuses…), etc. Sometimes I get sad and/or somewhat depressed because I’m “young, supposed to be out having fun and being stupid”, and all that fun stuff. However, although the RA has affected my life significantly over the last six months (i.e. I’m not able to go out and have fun with my friends, and I have to miss a lot of school due to infections, severe flares, and hospitalizations), I have tried not to let it affect my life too much. I have a lot to look forward to in my life right now! One of the things I’ve learned about having RA is that </span><span style="color: #333333;">you can't outsmart or beat your illness, but you can & will manage it well. It has taught me how to set my own limits, and how to communicate them to others. I’ve also learned to enjoy the little things in life! One of the things I’d like to share with others or newly diagnosed people with RA is that you’re not alone. There are many other people out there with the same or similar illness. It can and will be difficult to find a decent health care professional, and at the beginning it’ll be hard to navigate your way through this illness – all the medical terms, the effects of the illness on your body and your life, all the medication(s), etc. But fear not! There are plenty of resources available for you and your loved ones/those helping you. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Side effects of the illness and medications will also be a big blow, as well as the downs of having to suddenly deal with this new & prominent issue. However, you'll eventually come to a solution, find medication(s), and a system that works for you. Your life will certainly be different than it was, but you can still manage to live your life. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 25pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Having to learn & deal with RA has come at an unfortunate and difficult time in my life - I'm 17. At this age, everyone your age is out; living their life - being young, foolish, and living their life as they want. The RA, among other personal issues, has been known to lead me down a dark path during and at various times, which is and can be really scary. Somehow I’ve managed to come out the other side a better person, which I count as a blessing! If I had to sum up one silver lining about having RA, I'd have to say it's made me mature beyond my years, for which I am grateful. Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.” This quote has and continues to help me significantly! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>IAAM's JA Awareness MOVEMENT....</b></i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"> I was honored to have Shelley-Rose Cook as the first JA Guest Blogger on both of my blogs. Thank you for sharing your personal story. If you have any questions for Shelley-Rose, please ask the questions through me and I will send them to her. If you have a JA Personal Story you would like to share, please email your story to Dana at danalm_iaam@yahoo.com with your title, blog name and URL, your name as you would like it published on my two blogs and on IAAM's Facebook Public Pages. If you do not have a blog, that is OK, you can still share your story, simply send me your story in a Word Document with your picture attached and I will put it into my blog for you. It is that simple. ;-)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whether you have JA, are a parent of someone with JA, or care for someone with JA, I am looking for </span><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Guest Bloggers</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">!!!! It is </span><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">JA Awareness Month</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">, and </span><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">IAAM</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> is launching its </span><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Movement</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">! We'll launch this initiative on Monday <b>July 9th</b> so check back! Until then, a sneak preview: JA isn't the same as having Degenerative Arthritis and <b>YOU</b> will have the opportunity to tell the world why! Stay tuned, it's about to get goooood ;). Watch out because </span><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">IAAM</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'s new JA Campaign is gonna blow JA Awareness out of the water! I</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">n true </span><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">IAAM</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> style it will be a little out-of-the-box and will allow </span><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">YOU</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> to shine! </span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ8dgcAdew0/UAg52IzlFVI/AAAAAAAAHhA/Rp1Dki9fV2c/s1600/differentiate-degenerative-and-autoimmune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ8dgcAdew0/UAg52IzlFVI/AAAAAAAAHhA/Rp1Dki9fV2c/s400/differentiate-degenerative-and-autoimmune.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This poster was designed by IAAM for World Autoimmune Arthritis Day 2012 (held on May 20th). This JA Awareness Movement will be the 1st of many subjects we will revisit from WAAD. And you thought World Autoimmune Arthritis Day was over...pshhh, you're not getting rid of us that easily ;)</span></span></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-83816914455761208712012-07-05T17:53:00.002-04:002012-07-05T17:53:26.278-04:00ATTENTION Juvenile Arthritis Bloggers: Looking for Guest Bloggers!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Attention Juvenile Arthritis Bloggers, Writers and Authors.</span></b> Whether you have JA, are a parent of someone with JA, or care for someone with JA, I am looking for <b>Guest Bloggers</b>!!!! It is <b>JA Awareness Month</b>, and <b>IAAM</b> is launching its <b>Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Movement</b>! <span>We'll launch this
initiative on Monday <b>July 9th</b> so check back! Until then, a sneak
preview: JA isn't the same as having Degenerative Arthritis and <b>YOU</b> will
have the opportunity to tell the world why! Stay tuned, it's about to
get goooood ;). </span>Watch out because <b>IAAM</b>'s new JA Campaign is gonna blow JA Awareness out of the water! I<span>n true <b>IAAM</b> style it will be a little
out-of-the-box and will allow <b>YOU</b> to shine! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I am looking for <b>Guest Bloggers</b> to appear on both of <b>my blogs</b> and on <b>IAAM's public Facebook pages</b>. If you are interested in being a <b>Guest Blogger</b>, please send me a <b>Personal Story of JA</b>. It can be about you <b>personally</b>, <b>your child</b>, someone <b>you know</b> or someone you <b>take care of</b>. We need to spread <b>AWARENESS</b> so make sure your story is a <b>true representation</b> of a person with <b>JA</b> to help others understand what it is like to <b>live</b> with JA, to <b>love</b> someone with JA and to be a <b>child</b> with a disease that is all too often confused with what old people get. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span><b>Email</b> your <b>Personal Story of JA</b> to Dana at <b>danalm_iaam@yahoo.com</b> and include the <b>post title</b>, the <b>blog title</b> and url. If you do not have a blog and have it in Word, then send me the Word Document. Make sure you give me <b>your name</b>
as you would like it to be published on my blogs and the IAAM public
Facebook pages. Also, please give me a couple sentences that <b>summarize your story</b>. I will try to publish all the stories that I receive. Thank you!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqED1kTQp897bZhDtT_Z_YxyqzhBEXPZvw9vqr396y4xn4BEpKCGquzm04kiAP1g_V1UEjutJgtElLw89o_Bn1npT_zp8Sol0vNWTA1KN3QJbA3qBiDrazXTgj85hTCBkPbgodtFkF6sS/s1600/dont-look-sick.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqED1kTQp897bZhDtT_Z_YxyqzhBEXPZvw9vqr396y4xn4BEpKCGquzm04kiAP1g_V1UEjutJgtElLw89o_Bn1npT_zp8Sol0vNWTA1KN3QJbA3qBiDrazXTgj85hTCBkPbgodtFkF6sS/s640/dont-look-sick.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>This poster was designed by IAAM for World Autoimmune Arthritis Day 2012
(held on May 20th). This JA Awareness Movement will be the 1st of
many subjects we will revisit from WAAD. And you thought World
Autoimmune Arthritis Day was over...pshhh, you're not getting rid of us
that easily ;)</span></span></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-12650708395515724582012-07-03T23:59:00.001-04:002012-07-19T14:24:41.014-04:00JA Isn't The Same as Having Degenerative Arthritis...<span style="font-size: large;">IAAM is gearing up to launch a MAJOR JA Awareness Campaign in honor of JA Awareness Month and in true IAAM style it will be a little out-of-the-box and will allow YOU to shine! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'll launch this initiative on Monday July 8th so check back! Until then, a sneak preview: JA isn't the same as having Degenerative Arthritis and YOU will have the opportunity to tell the world why! Stay tuned, it's about to get goooood ;). </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ11Xylld-o/UAg5sCjoFlI/AAAAAAAAHdA/g5zUNA434UQ/s1600/born-with-it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ11Xylld-o/UAg5sCjoFlI/AAAAAAAAHdA/g5zUNA434UQ/s640/born-with-it.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This poster was designed by IAAM for World Autoimmune Arthritis Day 2012 (held on May 20th). This JA Awareness initiative will be the 1st of many subjects we will revisit from WAAD. And you thought World Autoimmune Arthritis Day was over...pshhh, you're not getting rid of us that easily ;)</span>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-49920491275372135482012-06-18T01:41:00.000-04:002012-06-18T11:58:31.729-04:00Chronically Guilty Video Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KqVIqYm0qx8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Please read my new blog post in my new blog <a href="http://chronicallymommy.blogspot.com/2012/06/chronically-guilty-video-blog.html">Chronically Mommy, Chronically Guilty Video Blog</a>.<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/KqVIqYm0qx8">http://youtu.be/KqVIqYm0qx8</a><br />
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<br />Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-26110989535830928642012-06-17T03:15:00.001-04:002012-07-19T14:29:32.487-04:00People like myself CAN raise a child; there's no reason you should be denied this beautiful experience!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4sP-pWRiFA0/UAg54ZKhuhI/AAAAAAAAHhg/ymMjhn0HtO4/s1600/p12584ta104281_7_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4sP-pWRiFA0/UAg54ZKhuhI/AAAAAAAAHhg/ymMjhn0HtO4/s400/p12584ta104281_7_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Please read my new post in my new blog Chronically Mommy<br />
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<a href="http://chronicallymommy.blogspot.com/2012/06/people-like-myself-can-raise-child.html">People like myself CAN raise a child; there's no reason you should be denied this beautiful experience! </a>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-50257817529179220362012-06-14T22:16:00.000-04:002012-06-14T22:16:41.401-04:00First Video Blog--Just Checkin' In!<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20width=%22300%22%20height=%22400%22%20%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22allowfullscreen%22%20value=%22true%22%20/%3E%3Cparam%20name=%22movie%22%20value=%22http://www.facebook.com/v/3607315133794%22%20/%3E%3Cembed%20src=%22http://www.facebook.com/v/3607315133794%22%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20allowfullscreen=%22true%22%20width=%22300%22%20height=%22400%22%3E%3C/embed%3E%3C/object%3E"></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I have tried and tried and tried but cannot get my video from my mobile phone to post on my blog. I think I saved it in the wrong format. So I will have to just post it as a link. I will be having some of my blog posts as videos to make them a bit more personal and intimate so you can get to know me better. So this is the link to my first video blog to check in with you all. My parents are visiting to help me with my son Michael while my hubby is out of town at a conference, so I will follow up with you all very soon about my doctor appointment and how I am doing. Blessings and healing to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Also, I will have my new blog about being a mommy with chronic illness, pain and disability completely up and running in the next couple weeks. I am so excited about it too. I began the blog a year ago, but I have just recently got around to decorating the site just how I had it pictured in my head. I will begin blogging more often again on both sites as well as having my radio show regularly. It has been so crazy. I guess that is just life...shoulder replacement, adoption, adoption finalization, raising a child with chronic pain and disability, right hip collapsing, hip replacement...so many things can happen in life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">So here is my first video blog...more to come!</span><br />
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<a href="https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=8f63b8b15cf0f825&id=8F63B8B15CF0F825%21262">https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=8f63b8b15cf0f825&id=8F63B8B15CF0F825%21262</a><br />
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<br />Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-61300344528653906212012-04-05T01:32:00.000-04:002012-04-05T01:32:56.759-04:00I Never Knew What I Feared The Most Until I Became A Mommy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xsRzT9Zk1Wd3GkEKh-IEea_YOrXvf2NcDla7Ivgmtb_cMoTQBu40y04CtMD97VVkHbCEWqAqs0OWBXhN7LmNMa7tkoPC9rL7FqjEmA1BSpeQ50I_M3XSwZARFCGaLjw1Di8_bkJ1dRhN/s1600/iaamovementWAADposter_dana4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xsRzT9Zk1Wd3GkEKh-IEea_YOrXvf2NcDla7Ivgmtb_cMoTQBu40y04CtMD97VVkHbCEWqAqs0OWBXhN7LmNMa7tkoPC9rL7FqjEmA1BSpeQ50I_M3XSwZARFCGaLjw1Di8_bkJ1dRhN/s400/iaamovementWAADposter_dana4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This blog post is for the MOWer's topic "Fear."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEE62_F59xWp7bAQzB9rn542E_z2p2_1e6DbPS1PGI73zCgTuHHh5G8yz5AqmI4kcVXeP1JTWPohl2ejOK3iRDNmKAgC8PlqOeCo1RsXjAOkKYutKnksfTtKVjFImZW6630yGJA6taOnYr/s1600/805382e1094ba046138d3cdf8b89cf44_7zlm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEE62_F59xWp7bAQzB9rn542E_z2p2_1e6DbPS1PGI73zCgTuHHh5G8yz5AqmI4kcVXeP1JTWPohl2ejOK3iRDNmKAgC8PlqOeCo1RsXjAOkKYutKnksfTtKVjFImZW6630yGJA6taOnYr/s320/805382e1094ba046138d3cdf8b89cf44_7zlm.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br />
I have known for years about my autoimmune arthritis (Psoriatic Arthritis, Sjogren's, possible A.S. and Lupus). I have known even longer about my Avascular Necrosis (of the hips, shoulders and knees). When you have diseases that are chronic like this and that have serious effects on the body as a whole, you have a lot of fears about what <i>could</i> happen to you in the near future, in the distant future. Other people don't always realize how frightening it is to live your life with all these diseases, syndromes and conditions. Yes, you get used to the <i>chronic</i> lifestyle to a certain extent, but you never truly erase from your mind that other people are living <i>normal</i>, healthy lives every single day. For those that were <i>always sick</i>, you would not necessarily remember feeling <i>normal</i> unless you were not diagnosed until you were older, and you felt <i>well </i>even though you were <i>sick</i>. But for those that actually were <i>normal</i> for period of time, you may actually remember feeling <i>well</i>, and now are able to compare <i>normal</i> to <i>chronic</i>. For me, I give the age 19 when I began going to doctors by myself. I was in college and on my own. I knew something was wrong with me and sought out help to find out exactly what was wrecking havoc on my body. In hindsight, though, I was one of those people who was possibly <i>always sick</i> but did not necessarily remember feeling <i>sick</i> because I wasn't diagnosed with anything until I was older. I might have felt <i>well</i> even though I was <i>sick</i>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczr84CuCF02Xs6VZ9Hp3I8zrZuPojQIiQDYsKx5Ue36oIsfuO7GOOTGXE6A5JB2ebi6JfKY12VLyfc_pPbUYdoiu1AlRsty5Q2QrDZdOBlD4iOp6vOAXYlW4sos8ie_ur8uirA7n-WhCK/s1600/dec2011+088.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczr84CuCF02Xs6VZ9Hp3I8zrZuPojQIiQDYsKx5Ue36oIsfuO7GOOTGXE6A5JB2ebi6JfKY12VLyfc_pPbUYdoiu1AlRsty5Q2QrDZdOBlD4iOp6vOAXYlW4sos8ie_ur8uirA7n-WhCK/s400/dec2011+088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4I0KCEITezNOrvSNbCQsK3rVxz5dFOoR2n2a-6UuPYiTEOgcYeoXUjszVPKZ7J5NaO40qg8_4XB-h2WXItvpO1_NQiBZdbwcDlS_6uUxLEn82TZQT6q5Hm-tsR9DFKLRh1-Ct4QddJNEy/s1600/81a31c95b559799980f23ae1cdce8953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4I0KCEITezNOrvSNbCQsK3rVxz5dFOoR2n2a-6UuPYiTEOgcYeoXUjszVPKZ7J5NaO40qg8_4XB-h2WXItvpO1_NQiBZdbwcDlS_6uUxLEn82TZQT6q5Hm-tsR9DFKLRh1-Ct4QddJNEy/s320/81a31c95b559799980f23ae1cdce8953.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcP8SXoVUkgDVD7TVVuDAJ4NwpneMN9aS_MM_dGSn5EkrMOT_ukgPJN7ZNsjOtu9WmGD2gwH0o41QbaX4atVf9w6XAc1RNIc8H5Mp9l0grpH1StCLpCzCv2u0eY_8pumAY2OG9Ulb0mcV/s1600/dec2011+202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcP8SXoVUkgDVD7TVVuDAJ4NwpneMN9aS_MM_dGSn5EkrMOT_ukgPJN7ZNsjOtu9WmGD2gwH0o41QbaX4atVf9w6XAc1RNIc8H5Mp9l0grpH1StCLpCzCv2u0eY_8pumAY2OG9Ulb0mcV/s400/dec2011+202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Fear. I fear being diagnosed with yet another autoimmune arthritis. I fear the side effects of my meds, especially the side effects that I don't see, the silent ones that could be harming me and I don't even know it. I fear that my meds will stop working. I fear the pain will get worse. I fear I will need more pain meds. I have been on the same amount of pain meds since 2002, and have not changed nor do I intend on changing it. I fear getting sicker. I fear that my hubby will decide I am too much to deal with and leave me. I fear that I will end up all alone.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdq8H9AQ2UKAvoQDq91Y_zQLZm9EkMY0O0Jb4dQtG1C9pE56eZR_eHwqMV6tTBH10PMz306OVrKf7Sl3V5kzqc6yfpDG8ILs1BC7hpVbRZcYeQ8sKoNnbr-1FEoUWE6yAt9DB1H2PG4Ms/s1600/dec2011+011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdq8H9AQ2UKAvoQDq91Y_zQLZm9EkMY0O0Jb4dQtG1C9pE56eZR_eHwqMV6tTBH10PMz306OVrKf7Sl3V5kzqc6yfpDG8ILs1BC7hpVbRZcYeQ8sKoNnbr-1FEoUWE6yAt9DB1H2PG4Ms/s320/dec2011+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My biggest fear, now that I have a son who is 15 months old, is that I will not be able to be the best Mommy I can be. I know that I love my son with all my heart, and he loves me as well. I know that I would do anything for him, for his safety, for his happiness, to see him laugh and smile. What happens if a day comes when I can't do something for him? That is my biggest fear.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuvpA2SUP2A_5-kRZW5-46k79EX5lMXfvxzh0lRB0dUuQeHpnFGIjolzz4NFDOez0NFVOMI7pSQfDULK_xG49TMnnJ35tFNjySWTROATO2tJpqAOgJwRqg5wBgFPo_QFmWRjF3ASLQiNL/s1600/dec2011+031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuvpA2SUP2A_5-kRZW5-46k79EX5lMXfvxzh0lRB0dUuQeHpnFGIjolzz4NFDOez0NFVOMI7pSQfDULK_xG49TMnnJ35tFNjySWTROATO2tJpqAOgJwRqg5wBgFPo_QFmWRjF3ASLQiNL/s400/dec2011+031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When I was told that the autoimmune arthritis had gone to my spine, neck and S.I. joints, I got so scared, not for me that I would have pain, lack of mobility or anything about my self. It was purely selfless. It was all about my son. What if this limited me with my son? I was so afraid. I had to do something. I am making sure to keep on exercising to keep my spine gently moving all the time. Aqua aerobics and belly dancing is working best for me. I feel really great doing that, and it is helping with the pain and mobility. When I stop moving, the stiffness, decreased range of motion and pain come back full force!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D5H3UF2lsh2kFvqjx8ydY7uwc6irCa53tLx69HGfVhZkaIkigCJOYDOvLFHY9m8z5AC7_mDaTLfhw_gpvYHWMYTSY7ztGoltcPPQ3icOoiEqFO56LeyMCmrsNPXGbkQaoLcgLuJL7w_L/s1600/Photo03031317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9D5H3UF2lsh2kFvqjx8ydY7uwc6irCa53tLx69HGfVhZkaIkigCJOYDOvLFHY9m8z5AC7_mDaTLfhw_gpvYHWMYTSY7ztGoltcPPQ3icOoiEqFO56LeyMCmrsNPXGbkQaoLcgLuJL7w_L/s400/Photo03031317.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><br />
Then, an even bigger fear occurred! I had already had my left hip replaced in 2003, and then my right shoulder collapsed in October, 2009. I had my shoulder replaced in March 2010. Nine months later, we adopted our gorgeous little boy! I felt like it all happened in that order so that it would be easier to take care of him. I had a brand new shoulder and one good leg! I thought I would be able to keep up with him easier than say 10 years ago even. Well, that was true, three months ago. Then, the right hip started, clicking, sticking, popping and giving me more pain. I knew what it meant, but didn't want to believe it. I feared the worst.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgtY4ibJw_NSeIWfzIRIkQ7I-_xF2uCttQvJHtgaq6uD3VMS2Fr2_N76Dzk2qQNON5p6_EOouBItU7T-yut_BuYMOnSX6ZPwjZgX8v4bOtRv9OdL8iqRhl2V7uxpM1iLtOvK-ain0Rkg8/s1600/dec2011+204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgtY4ibJw_NSeIWfzIRIkQ7I-_xF2uCttQvJHtgaq6uD3VMS2Fr2_N76Dzk2qQNON5p6_EOouBItU7T-yut_BuYMOnSX6ZPwjZgX8v4bOtRv9OdL8iqRhl2V7uxpM1iLtOvK-ain0Rkg8/s400/dec2011+204.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><br />
My orthopaedic surgeon told me it was in the final stage of Avascular Necrosis, and it needs to be replaced as soon as possible. I am doing my best to keep up with a 15 month old as he races through our home. He throws a ball and runs after it now! He wants to play all the time. He dances to my belly dance music with me too. I am doing OK with the pain. I am still keeping up with my son and housework and even still belly dancing. I just fear that I am going to lose out on some important time now with my son. I am going to get it replaced May 10, 2012. That means I will have all summer to rehab. I won't be able to hold my son for a few months, get on the floor and play with him, bathe him, clothe him, run after him and play like he does.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ph-q-5lT1GX33LhWvznQZebqVu3YFaUvybLj2Gl79YiykcZcKW4dGcAQT85SMH9Olb9Mg6NnHjDk-VhCmaVt2bpyrMBruhphBDW41J1XuJp0TWesbEkMxPT91gbs5-ci2yOXcipM8PTy/s1600/dec2011+112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ph-q-5lT1GX33LhWvznQZebqVu3YFaUvybLj2Gl79YiykcZcKW4dGcAQT85SMH9Olb9Mg6NnHjDk-VhCmaVt2bpyrMBruhphBDW41J1XuJp0TWesbEkMxPT91gbs5-ci2yOXcipM8PTy/s400/dec2011+112.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqbwyBEkQG8wy6uAn-6tnI9NZPa_fqx7laTbObk6nbUjTbwG5cMozlAr23K8QDpq2jW6EWwA5_NcW1xhesKiu3j5PurIPMbfZJ5_qFKvQUKmCByGJP7M4GRNmHgBX1zvjnlu0eYYGAojX/s1600/622808175v3_240x240_Front_Color-White.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqbwyBEkQG8wy6uAn-6tnI9NZPa_fqx7laTbObk6nbUjTbwG5cMozlAr23K8QDpq2jW6EWwA5_NcW1xhesKiu3j5PurIPMbfZJ5_qFKvQUKmCByGJP7M4GRNmHgBX1zvjnlu0eYYGAojX/s400/622808175v3_240x240_Front_Color-White.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
So I am watching my biggest fear unfold before my eyes. I am losing control of my body again. The hip is collapsing. I am losing mobility fast. Soon I will have my surgery, which is a pretty extensive surgery by the way! Then rehab is a bitch! At least 3 months of intense rehab without holding and being the main caregiver/caretaker of my only son~perhaps the only son I will ever have.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpni6CDAV4D5lLUiEVVo9qSRFLCgi2RVUiGR5RfDeJpCl6BAkYuq-lMG-9PajkOMLCjhtAdz3CpjdggSwjDYyYheQiB_B0Conras1DHxBOMQPDCUnakX-6Hky-C_pdCNAa2JrL40bYq7e/s1600/dec2011+080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpni6CDAV4D5lLUiEVVo9qSRFLCgi2RVUiGR5RfDeJpCl6BAkYuq-lMG-9PajkOMLCjhtAdz3CpjdggSwjDYyYheQiB_B0Conras1DHxBOMQPDCUnakX-6Hky-C_pdCNAa2JrL40bYq7e/s400/dec2011+080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-x3H-4qonkBY309bHKcxn4wX5nkf1DYbZ4OcLtQtFD_chivku7BJ8RwuW1aLO-mrIJz_NOIE_V1ixsvPf5Oz3Pi8WObJLzhf8KlfUkp8Gu7_PDxxaY3LLXesw3OW5Nx00eX9sZ6rA2N4/s1600/dec2011+209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-x3H-4qonkBY309bHKcxn4wX5nkf1DYbZ4OcLtQtFD_chivku7BJ8RwuW1aLO-mrIJz_NOIE_V1ixsvPf5Oz3Pi8WObJLzhf8KlfUkp8Gu7_PDxxaY3LLXesw3OW5Nx00eX9sZ6rA2N4/s400/dec2011+209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
So to get through a fear that is unfolding before my eyes, I must show courage. My son must see that his mommy is brave, strong and courageous. I want him to learn that although his mommy has all these health problems, she will never stop loving him. I will always be his mommy. As soon as I recover, I will be better than before, a new model! We will run and jump and play more than before. I don't think I will put him down. He will forget how to walk himself!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhogfm78Yq3CGfHFhWJwI2Pe5Cu-veJW_R_RfuTtWCS9t51D2LK8d_PeT9sQQTPX6ZogZFv27bnFNr-rDxO30aRcJIsOPCWF8KMxcTdY6B8n3CWjHX__WJJvMRiFDAd6gR2VN8dPIJa3No/s1600/dec2011+214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhogfm78Yq3CGfHFhWJwI2Pe5Cu-veJW_R_RfuTtWCS9t51D2LK8d_PeT9sQQTPX6ZogZFv27bnFNr-rDxO30aRcJIsOPCWF8KMxcTdY6B8n3CWjHX__WJJvMRiFDAd6gR2VN8dPIJa3No/s400/dec2011+214.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Npxn3RPsJmS69WxVfp1vJ54AfDMmi9oYQTMBCc_Mr7c4zGUxEoo05kXeDTu_cca_RoULZb9KsnVltTtrSZMTe4ID65i_rVwUe7whX-rzCaMex_NAflEQ4GhyPHPALN3iApLdQbIGOUiN/s1600/dec2011+046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Npxn3RPsJmS69WxVfp1vJ54AfDMmi9oYQTMBCc_Mr7c4zGUxEoo05kXeDTu_cca_RoULZb9KsnVltTtrSZMTe4ID65i_rVwUe7whX-rzCaMex_NAflEQ4GhyPHPALN3iApLdQbIGOUiN/s400/dec2011+046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_wAFt00OAzTfQmuhiVZaBEwMilsvNVmw_hzyE8hX5YjzX_nBxmEzoP-a_vCwbZPMo9d04krVDmn13I5lEdfsbfo_P7GB5TxDu-ND-Efaz_4fhX0PUrSrIeuFMDDa-7mhzGvXdNJNq1hyphenhyphen/s1600/dec2011+003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_wAFt00OAzTfQmuhiVZaBEwMilsvNVmw_hzyE8hX5YjzX_nBxmEzoP-a_vCwbZPMo9d04krVDmn13I5lEdfsbfo_P7GB5TxDu-ND-Efaz_4fhX0PUrSrIeuFMDDa-7mhzGvXdNJNq1hyphenhyphen/s400/dec2011+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Children of mommies with chronic illnesses are the strongest, bravest, smartest, and also they are able to show more empathy and sympathy because they lived with their mommy and helped their mommy. I think it teaches them how to love, care and nurture. I shouldn't really fear because I am raising the perfect child!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonmcv7jy76_Vl8pQqgMnemJLMsf7LxfW0sHKnki6znuikFMGa3HRMDxhbmv6wN4HUHjs68JpV6Pj50NViJzAlQRCIZytQUVR1S0u8rkiTdtje6HUY-CDvF46JnIWTzEK_x7OR0jpN5nV_/s1600/dec2011+060.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonmcv7jy76_Vl8pQqgMnemJLMsf7LxfW0sHKnki6znuikFMGa3HRMDxhbmv6wN4HUHjs68JpV6Pj50NViJzAlQRCIZytQUVR1S0u8rkiTdtje6HUY-CDvF46JnIWTzEK_x7OR0jpN5nV_/s400/dec2011+060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpQyoKvEZPvyGSDjqbmDcDzv7o9mR7JHTaHlhfnH2h7WrCHJaGlJZgdoO5urRAmguWBYOubKm8VP4BxhN6juTQZShgBOV9_mLHJfQlP0-KvUKnWpRFdVBbJu1aOPED9V9aYXllx4daFKa/s1600/dec2011+069.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpQyoKvEZPvyGSDjqbmDcDzv7o9mR7JHTaHlhfnH2h7WrCHJaGlJZgdoO5urRAmguWBYOubKm8VP4BxhN6juTQZShgBOV9_mLHJfQlP0-KvUKnWpRFdVBbJu1aOPED9V9aYXllx4daFKa/s400/dec2011+069.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-18104928561580112712012-01-23T01:53:00.002-05:002012-07-19T14:38:11.137-04:00In The Mirror...About to Break...Worthy...Not This Disease...I Am Dance!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1UZZo6T4l4/Tx0AX5nZwNI/AAAAAAAADMc/YEmH5eGZLZM/s1600/dec2011+219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1UZZo6T4l4/Tx0AX5nZwNI/AAAAAAAADMc/YEmH5eGZLZM/s400/dec2011+219.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This satisfies the MOWer's blog topic: self-esteem!<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I first began belly dance class, it was at night in the neighboring apartment complex. I had never attempted it before. I had my shoulder replaced in March 2010 and began belly dancing in August of that year. It was difficult for me at the time. I can't lie. I had already finished my physical therapy but still did not have full range of motion in my right shoulder. I didn't have a lot of flexibility everywhere else~back, neck, hips, and legs. I also didn't have a lot of self-esteem. If I was going to go back to dancing, I was going to have to be that same person that held nothing back and just let loose. If I couldn't be that person, then I was going to have a hard time dancing. I also knew if I couldn't allow myself to dance again, that would be like a death sentence. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWjDfFDlbeU/Txz-Dpcd1eI/AAAAAAAADK8/8aLCar53CjE/s1600/dec2011+245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWjDfFDlbeU/Txz-Dpcd1eI/AAAAAAAADK8/8aLCar53CjE/s400/dec2011+245.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I only went to the apartment complex belly dance class 4 times. Then I thought it just wasn't for me. I felt self-conscious and as if I just couldn't keep up. I thought for sure everyone was watching me and wondering what was wrong with me. I just knew that I stuck out as someone that couldn't dance because there was "something wrong" with me. I felt every one's eyes looking me over, up and down, and through me. I couldn't go back...I failed!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SE38tT5Z28s/Txz-Wvg2lAI/AAAAAAAADLE/MeOMMY9BWXY/s1600/Copy+of+dec2011+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SE38tT5Z28s/Txz-Wvg2lAI/AAAAAAAADLE/MeOMMY9BWXY/s320/Copy+of+dec2011+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A couple months later, a bunch of people went out for my birthday. One person that works with my hubby, who happens to be a long-time belly dancer, gave me a gift certificate for class with the same dance instructor that was at the apartment complex but at a dance studio. I thought I should give it another try...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIhTdMpBSWc/Txz-9LtqR8I/AAAAAAAADLM/VzJz67jWY8s/s1600/dec2011+203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIhTdMpBSWc/Txz-9LtqR8I/AAAAAAAADLM/VzJz67jWY8s/s400/dec2011+203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile, we adopted our son Michael. We brought him home, and we got settled. Then I returned to belly dancing once more to give it another try. I felt better about it this time for some reason. I was stronger. My right shoulder's range of motion was back to normal, and I was feeling pretty good physically. I began in February of 2011 when Mick was only 2 months old. I started in the Saturday Beginner Class. At first, it was a little hard, but not as hard as it once was when I was going at night to the apartment complex classes. I felt like maybe I could catch on faster now that I was physically feeling better. By the end of that first class, I had a confidence that I had not had in soooooooo long! I really needed that class! I had my friend Ang come visit from out of town, and she joined us for one class to learn the very end to our dance. She caught on extremely quickly, and she did an awesome job especially considering that she had never taken a belly dance class ever. At the end of that class, I took one more Saturday Beginner Class, and then was moved up to the Intermediate-Advanced Class! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I couldn't believe it! By the time I left for my brother's wedding in April, 2011, I had already completed my first Intermediate-Advanced Class! I had no problems keeping up either, which made it so much more enjoyable and worthwhile. I began taking both the Beginner and Intermediate-Advanced Classes together so that I could take more than one class at the same time. I fell in love with belly dance!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4MS3cerkjY/T_dLmLLKhnI/AAAAAAAAGzc/6yKXflU6AV0/s1600/15-16monthsMick%25252520012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4MS3cerkjY/T_dLmLLKhnI/AAAAAAAAGzc/6yKXflU6AV0/s400/15-16monthsMick%25252520012.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just last weekend (January 15th), our belly dance studio had a performance. We were asked to get together with other people in our class in November to perform a dance or by our self to perform a solo dance in the show. I was asked by 5 different people to do a dance with them. Talk about a boost in your self-esteem! You know that when others ask you to dance with them, they appreciate your talent or else they would not ask you to dance with them. I was honored and excited to begin practicing. Of course, I was going to be out of town for a lot of the holiday season which meant that I would miss a lot of practice time, so I opted out of the January performance. I told everyone that I would love to dance with them in the spring performance in March or May.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3N1zhWrlbc/Txz_-2k74CI/AAAAAAAAHCk/_Z6ukI_bvgw/s1600/dec2011%25252520225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3N1zhWrlbc/Txz_-2k74CI/AAAAAAAAHCk/_Z6ukI_bvgw/s320/dec2011%25252520225.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The holiday season has come and gone so quickly. We returned from visiting family in St. Louis, and were ready to get back into our normal routine again. I had made an appointment with my hip orthopaedic surgeon way back in November to see him on January 4th. I had been having some problems with the right hip~clicking, sticking, popping, pain, grinding, and I feared that it was near total collapse. My fears were actually made true when I was told that the right hip could collapse totally any moment now. I am continuing to belly dance though until I can no longer do it physically. I went to the performance eleven days after my news from my orthopaedic surgeon. I cheered on my fellow classmates. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ5Iz8I0UDo/Txz_uDas2yI/AAAAAAAADL8/HWPN16P7o-c/s1600/dec2011+207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ5Iz8I0UDo/Txz_uDas2yI/AAAAAAAADL8/HWPN16P7o-c/s640/dec2011+207.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two days later, I went to my belly cardio class, which is fast paced and super-charged fun! I danced my body and my heart out as if nothing was wrong with me physically. I told no one in my class about my hip. I just wanted to be "normal," to feel "normal," and to only have people look at me for how I danced because they liked my dancing! OH, I danced as though my life depended on it! I held my head up high and my shoulders back! I was so proud of myself! No one can make you have self-esteem, it is </span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The music began...I watched myself dancing in the mirror next to all the other women and young ladies in my class...I couldn't even tell...I don't think anyone could tell...I truly couldn't tell...I moved my hips, then my shoulders, and I could keep up with everyone in the class~old and young alike...No one even knew I was about to break...No one knew I was less than perfect...it looked as if I was afraid of no one or nothing...I gave the impression that I had so much spirit, brevity, courage, spunk...I obviously feel comfortable in my own skin...I know what I'm doing...This is so right!...I am worthy!...I am a dancer!...I am dance!...I am not this disease...it doesn't define me!...I am worth so much more!...</span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBY1hVUsRAA/TKuROMIgLlI/AAAAAAAACvE/BhjLgXxII1s/s1600/mqcujpj9.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBY1hVUsRAA/TKuROMIgLlI/AAAAAAAACvE/BhjLgXxII1s/s400/mqcujpj9.bmp" width="381" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You don't wake up one morning and say, 'I will become a dancer.' </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You wake up one morning and realize you've been a dancer all your life,</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And you say to yourself, 'I am a dancer.'</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">'I am dance.'</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMYuyrh8B3Q/Tx0AHs5FCoI/AAAAAAAADMM/rpT24LQKQpQ/s1600/dec2011+212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMYuyrh8B3Q/Tx0AHs5FCoI/AAAAAAAADMM/rpT24LQKQpQ/s400/dec2011+212.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPQ3t9PV-1g/Tx0AQPV0i-I/AAAAAAAADMU/PCwkZgY8rfw/s1600/dec2011+213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPQ3t9PV-1g/Tx0AQPV0i-I/AAAAAAAADMU/PCwkZgY8rfw/s400/dec2011+213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-49801063684772167562012-01-20T14:15:00.001-05:002012-07-19T14:42:20.144-04:00I Have The Best Friends Anyone Could Ask For...I Don't NEED Anything More!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj5CJaaRyOs/TGhB3CUXCeI/AAAAAAAACr8/ttiyw3Sq6ec/s1600/q48vnniq.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qj5CJaaRyOs/TGhB3CUXCeI/AAAAAAAACr8/ttiyw3Sq6ec/s400/q48vnniq.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
This blog post will fulfill the the MOWer's blog carnival topic "NEED." When I think about the word "need", I automatically think about the word "want" as well. Many people tend to interchange these two words as if they have the same meaning, and in fact, these two words are very different in meaning. The word "want" is defined as: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div class="DefList"><div class="DefList"><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent">1. <span class="DefQuick">desire something: </span><span class="DefBody">to feel a need or desire for something</span><br />
<div class="DefExample">"We want a new car." </div></div></div><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent">2. <span class="DefQuick">wish something done: </span><span class="DefBody">to desire to do something or that something be done</span> <br />
<div class="DefExample">"He wants his steak well done." </div></div></div><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent">3. <span class="DefQuick">miss something: </span><span class="DefBody">to feel the lack of something</span><br />
<div class="DefExample">"After a week on the road, I want my own bed." </div></div></div><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent">4. <span class="DefQuick">wish somebody to be present: </span><span class="DefBody">to wish to see or speak to somebody</span> <br />
<div class="DefExample">"Someone wants you at the door." </div></div></div><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent">5. <span class="DefQuick">seek somebody as crime suspect: </span><span class="DefBody">to seek somebody in connection with a crime</span> ( <span class="DefUsageNote">usually passive</span> ) <br />
<div class="DefExample">"wanted for two felonies" </div></div></div><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent"></div></div><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent">6. <span class="DefQuick">desire somebody sexually: </span><span class="DefBody">to feel sexual desire for somebody</span> ( <span class="DefStyleLevel">informal</span> ) </div></div></div></div></blockquote>So when you "want" something, you could replace the word "want" with any number of these words/phrases: desire, wish for, would like, feel like, crave, covet, yearn for, hanker after, be after, be looking for, hope for, aspire or fancy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thvLqWuw5Ic/TBWXKFf80aI/AAAAAAAACew/0DYjvmxEhq8/s1600/group_pic_Rachana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thvLqWuw5Ic/TBWXKFf80aI/AAAAAAAACew/0DYjvmxEhq8/s400/group_pic_Rachana.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When you "need" someone or something, the definition changes:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">1. <span class="DefSyntax">transitive and intransitive verb </span><span class="DefQuick">require something: </span><span class="DefBody">require something in order to have success or achieve a goal</span><br />
<div class="DefList"><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent"><div class="DefExample">"Do you need any money?" </div><div class="DefList"><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent">2. <span class="DefQuick">be necessary: </span><span class="DefBody">used to indicate that a course of action is desirable or necessary</span> ( <span class="DefUsageNote">used in negative statements</span> ) <br />
<div class="DefExample">"You don't need to thank me; I'm happy to help whenever I can." </div><div class="DefExample"><div class="DefList"><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent">3. <span class="DefSyntax">transitive and intransitive verb </span><span class="DefQuick">deserve something: </span><span class="DefBody">to deserve something, especially as punishment</span> ( <span class="DefStyleLevel">informal</span> ) <br />
<div class="DefExample">"Those troops need to be shown who's boss." </div></div></div><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent">4. <span class="DefSyntax">intransitive verb </span><span class="DefQuick">to be essential: </span><span class="DefBody">to be essential or necessary to something</span> ( <span class="DefStyleLevel">archaic</span> ) </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote>Therefore when you "need" someone or something you can replace the word "need" with: demand, require, call for, necessitate, take,<span class="NymFont"> </span>have to, must, should or ought.<br />
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When I think of wants and needs, I think of a desire (want) to fill what's lacking or absent vs. something essential or necessary either to survival or something more basic, such as a requirement (need) to complete a recipe. <br />
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So why am I going to such extremes to show you the difference between wants and <b>NEEDS</b>? Well I think it's important for everyone to know that food, air, water, love and shelter are needs and that candy, ice cream, shoes to match every outfit, and a designer purse are all <b>WANTS</b>.<br />
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In my life, just like in every one's life, I have a WANT list. Many people make the list around the holiday season for loved ones to know what to buy for them. I make my WANT list more so to realize that material things are nice to hope and wish for, but they are definitely not the most important things in this world. I put things on my WANT list like outfits for belly dance, velour jogging suits, I-PAD, smart phone, new shoes, hair accessories, new furniture, new TV, etc.<br />
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Now to take this in a little different direction...I went to my hip orthopaedic surgeon on Jan. 4th because I was having increased hip and groin pain. My right hip was sticking more when I went from the seated position to the standing position. I was extremely concerned because 8 1/2 years ago, this is what it felt like right before my left hip completely collapsed. It collapsed in August 2003 and was replaced December 22, 2003. I began to prepare myself for what the doctor was going to say, all the while hoping that he would end up telling me that it was still the same as it was in May of 2011. Well, my fears were correct. It is just about to collapse. The hip is a ball-in-socket joint so the hip is able to move in a full circle inside the socket. For me, the socket is resting on the ball, which is already flattened (not round), and the ball has a crack all the way through it. Imagine what the pressure is like on that ball! With all that pressure and a crack all the way through, it does not take a genius to figure out that it could collapse at any moment!<br />
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When I found this out, I didn't freak out at all. I had prepared myself for this, and we knew this was going to happen sooner or later. I was prepared to an extent, but you just can't prepare yourself for that specific day to be told that you NEED to have your hip replaced as soon as possible. I WANTED it to be when my son Michael was old enough to feed, dress, and bathe himself, but perhaps that is asking too much. Ideally, we would be in a city with lots of family and all my friends to be able to jump in to help us out, but again, that just isn't in our cards. It would be super if after this hip replacement, I would not NEED anymore joint replacements. Sadly, I am still playing the waiting game with my left shoulder and both of my knees, not to mention that joint replacements do not last forever. They are also replaceable. My left hip is now 8 YEARS OLD! I was told it would only last about 10 years. OMG! I do not WANT to have a hip replacement done two years apart, even if they are on two different legs.<br />
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I WANT the surgery to go smoothly without complications~no problems with infection, placement, blood pressure, etc. I WANT to heal quickly. I WANT to be able to have physical therapy that restores my physical activity and range of motion to normal level. I WANT to heal in three months so that we won't have to hire someone to come into our home after my hubby goes back to work for the fall semester. I WANT this new hip to make both legs equal in size. I WANT to get rid of the pain. I WANT to be able to return to belly dancing relatively quickly after the hip replacement~told you I was a type A personality! I don't WANT to have to start all over again with walking, going up steps, driving, swimming, lifting my leg, bending my knee, sitting, standing, riding a stationary bike, then slowly lifting things, then going back to a normal day of cooking, cleaning, taking care of a baby (diapers, bathing, feeding, playing on the floor, chasing, carrying, etc.).<br />
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I NEED help with my son who is now 13 months old. This is what is giving me the most anxiety, however, we have it all planned and everything is in the works. I go in for surgery on May 10th, and my mother-in-law arrives here in town on May 8th. She is off work all the time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays so to come in town she will take her vacation days in chunks. She will start her days off May 11th through the 14th, then the 18th through the 21st, then the 25th through the 28th, and so on...She will be here for the majority of May and most importantly on my surgery day and while I'm in the hospital so my hubby can be with me in the hospital while she's with Michael. I will still NEED help in June, July and August. In June, my parents will figure out their schedules to come here. I have lined up others to come in the other months. In August, we will fly to St. Louis so my hubby can go to Memphis for a bachelor party. This way, I will have lots of family and friends to still help toward the end of my recovery. I have put Mick on a wait list for full time daycare for the summer months. If we struggle at all, we will hire a nanny to help with Mick's care. After May, I should be doing most of my own care myself except driving and bathing. I will still be unable to lift 10 pounds, so no lifting up Mick! That will be the challenge.<br />
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Anytime you have an illness or surgery that prevents you from taking care of yourself and others like you normally do, you are forced to rely on others. Although I have been through a hip replacement surgery before and a shoulder replacement as well (as a matter of fact, I have had 9 surgeries in all plus this one now). We have been away from family and old friends for 7 of these surgeries and have done OK by ourselves so far. The thing is that we have never had a child until now. So now we especially NEED the help of others for the sake of our son! Well, we have not had to even ask a single person for help.<br />
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I find it interesting, and mentioned this in my blogtalkradio show, that when you have really wonderful, true friends who know that you are in NEED of help, they tend to pass the word on to everyone they know that you are in NEED whether they know you or of you or not. They tell their friends, their friends' friends, their brothers, sisters, moms, dads, uncles, cousins, church members, members of their book club, people that serve them coffee, etc. Then all of a sudden, you are getting dinners from people that you think are coming out from under the rugs. Well, they actually aren't coming out from under the rugs. These people are coming to help you, because of people that love you very much. They know you are in NEED because of these beautiful, loving people. <br />
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I must have the best friends anyone could ask for! I have had so many friends and people I hardly know or have never met until now offer to help us out during the surgery and after the surgery and even now since I am having difficulty with my range of motion and getting around. Thank you, Angela and Rob, Kelbi and Sam, Susan, Samantha, Samantha and Troy, Debbie, Sarah, Rachana, Grace...and family~Mary Lynn, Mom, Dad, Ricky, Beth, Debbie...and my online friends as well who cannot help in person but in spirit and with support~Cookie, Brenna, Wendy...oh gosh there are so many of you, I could go on and on...if your name isn't on here it is written on my heart! You must know that with friends like you all I don't NEED anything more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
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I truly love you all! Isn't it wonderful to know you are NEEDED? Guess what? You are also WANTED! I chose you all as my friends, so you all are NEEDED and WANTED, both such great honors!<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div class="DefList"><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent"><div class="DefList"><div class="DefListItem"><div class="DefListItemContent"><div class="DefExample"><div class="DefList"><div class="DefListItem"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-88085075782734835922011-12-30T23:00:00.003-05:002012-07-19T16:23:13.424-04:00How to Make 2012 a Happy Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dl0phcBrtXg/UAhrGH1dW-I/AAAAAAAAH1o/j2UqPd5Yn4w/s1600/548354_427004330645654_1625963178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dl0phcBrtXg/UAhrGH1dW-I/AAAAAAAAH1o/j2UqPd5Yn4w/s400/548354_427004330645654_1625963178_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">The next edition of ChronicBabe's blog carnival goes LIVE on Monday, January 2, 2012 </b><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1325302715320315" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">and it's all about new year's resolutions. What's your plan for the coming year? Is there something you've committed to doing, and do you have an accountability buddy? What's going to change? What's going to be freakin' awesome? Tell us! Not only do we want to know, but also...you'll help inspire others.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">To make my 2012 a happy year, I am making a very important resolution for myself. I am going to make sure to exercise regularly. Now I know that is probably the most common resolution, right up there with weight loss every year. For me it's different though. Before we adopted our son, Michael, a year ago in December, I was going to an aqua aerobics class three times a week, walking, and began a NIA class. I was feeling great! Then when we brought home a new baby, things changed! I began to slack on the exercising, put on weight, began to feel worse again, and because of my feeling worse it made it even harder for me to exercise regularly. It was a circle of disaster!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">Basically, for me, I need to exercise to keep my joints loose, my muscles warm and to keep my weight down. It gives me some energy, not a lot, but more than the usual amount. My fatigue is really bad and on top of the pain can really bring me down. It can really make me not want to do anything but lie on the couch all day, all week, well forever actually. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">I found something that worked for me, and exercise is the key to keeping me active. No, I will never be in the Olympics or dance competitively or anything like that, but I am happier and healthier because of the exercise. I have gotten back into the exercise slowly in the past year so my resolution for 2012 is to keep it up and continue to add new things to keep it fun.</span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div align="center"><span style="color: black; font-family: comic sans ms,sand; font-size: x-small;">A Little About Belly dance...</span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> A beautiful and distinct ancient dance form, belly dance or raks (raqs) sharki (also called danse orientale), has a deep history dating back thousands of years in the Middle East. It is a dance of celebration and is done by women of all shapes and sizes. It is a dance of beauty and feminitity and embraces and celebrates the true beauty of the woman. </span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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Although most often characterized by sharp, sensual and isolated movements of the torso and hips, belly dance is performed using every body muscle- including those in the arms and hands.<br />
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Not only is belly dance fun to watch and to learn, but it has many health benefits as well. It has a healing quality (physical and emotional), improves muscle tone and flexibility, promotes healthy weight loss, improves balance and coordination, builds stamina and strength, helps to maintain a healthy metabolism and can help to condition the body for childbirth. <br />
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One of the biggest myths is that belly dance is a dance of seduction performed to and for male audiences. In fact, bellydance tradition handed down through generations of women states that belly dance originated as a dance to celebrate and promote fertility and healthy childbirths. It was a dance to celebrate mother earth to many. It is thought that belly dance aides women in preparing their abdominal muscles for labor and even today, in places accross the Middle East and in North Africa, many of these movements are used in birthing rituals. In countries across the globe, many couples hire belly dancers to perform at their weddings as it is thought to bless the couple with a future of fertility and healthy babies/children.<br />
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Moreover, in the harem sub-culture, it is noted that women would enetertain each other by belly dancing for one another. Contrary to what many believe, the women in the harems would rarerly even see the king or sultan. (www.bellydancebysamora.com)</span></blockquote><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">I began taking belly dance classes off and on about a year ago. I started in the beginner class and am now in the advanced class. I take the advanced class on the weekend and I still take a beginner class during the week. I really enjoy it. I am hoping to perform a dance number in our spring concert. Wow! Now that's big news! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">The beginner class is currently having a cardio belly class which is fast paced and makes you sweat! It is great for weight loss. I really enjoy belly dancing because it is easy on the joints, has wonderful movement for my muscles and joints (especially my back and neck), and my body knows if I miss a class. I actually hurt more if I don't dance! That is fantastic news. It makes me want to go back for more. There is no jumping or anything that is hard on my joints~I mean I have 2 joint replacements already and will be needing 4 more in the near future.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">If you have read my blog before too you know that I was a professional ballet dancer. I really have a passion for dance. The belly dancing has given me back this passion for dance. I am able to do something I really enjoy, that is good for me physically and mentally as well as emotionally. It makes me a happier person. I am easier to be around! Just ask my hubby!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px;">So for the year 2012, I want to make it a happy year. To be happy, I want to be dancing! And by dancing, I am exercising, I am keeping my weight in check and my pain and physical body as well as my mental and emotional body in check. As long as I keep it up, I will not have to worry about falling back into a rut and having to work my way back into an exercise regimen. So I hope to continue, and stay happy in 2012!!!!! Happy New Year to you all!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDEMzlkueN4/Tv6WyKbmlEI/AAAAAAAADJY/dG2Ii891Ydc/s1600/thisnthatseptember2011+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aDEMzlkueN4/Tv6WyKbmlEI/AAAAAAAADJY/dG2Ii891Ydc/s400/thisnthatseptember2011+066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-53126433247123822532011-12-29T05:35:00.004-05:002011-12-30T17:17:27.662-05:00Symptoms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.enbrel.com/images/content/ask_questions_as.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.enbrel.com/images/content/ask_questions_as.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/healthandhealing/images/si55551675_ma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.beliefnet.com/healthandhealing/images/si55551675_ma.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This is my next entry to post for the MOWer's blog. The subject is Symptoms. Wow! What a topic!<br />
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If you get symptoms of a cold, you see your internist, primary or family doctor. Symptoms of a cold are pretty simple and well-known: stuffy, runny nose, scratchy throat, post-nasal drip, etc. It's interesting, but if you tell someone you have a cold, they know what symptoms you have already, and there are the traditional treatments as well. You can take a decongestant, drink tea with honey and lemon, take Tylenol if you run a fever or if you have a sore throat even. For all of us with spondyloarthropathies, symptoms can be as different from each other as night and day, as hard to notice from one person to the next, and often stump doctors, even those that specialize in our rare problems~the rheumatologists.<br />
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I have been dealing with what I thought at some points in time were unrelated symptoms, then at other times began to swear up and down that everything I have been through in all my years have been related to the spondyloarthropathies that I (will) have been diagnosed with finally! The most difficult issue with all of this is that when you go to the doctor with 1 or 2 symptoms at a time, the frustration will blow your mind. It isn't cut and dry. There is no certainty that your doctor will give you a diagnosis or even treat you for that matter. Meanwhile, you are trapped in a world of pain, weakness, disability, loss of your old self, and a feeling that you could even be losing your mind! One thing is for sure, no matter what symptoms you end up with if you are lucky enough to have one or more spondyloarthropathy, the physical symptoms will be there, and they might be similar to those you meet in the same situation, but you may also notice that they all end up questioning their mental state! Yes, it's true!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thephysiocompany.com/wp-content/uploads/Physio-AS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://www.thephysiocompany.com/wp-content/uploads/Physio-AS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When you have certain physical symptoms and no lab tests or x-rays or similar tests to back them up, doctors begin to question automatically if you really have these physical symptoms or if they are manifestations of something else going on~depression, anxiety, a psychiatric condition, or perhaps you appear to have drug-seeking behaviors because you are showing no real signs of pain but wanting something for pain! Well, with all of this, it is only natural to begin questioning yourself, "Am I really feeling these symptoms? Is my neck really this stiff? Is my lower back hurting so bad, I cannot sleep at night? Are the bottoms of my feet so painful that if feels like I am walking on hot coals? Are my joints really so stiff and sore that I can't move them for 2 hours after I awaken in the morning?" When we can't really answer yes or no definitively, it gets pretty scary for us!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chiropractic-help.com/images/Ankylosing-spondylitis-neck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://www.chiropractic-help.com/images/Ankylosing-spondylitis-neck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The symptoms are real, don't get me wrong, and I am in no way trying to make them seem unreal or to make light of spondyloarthropathies or their symptoms. After all, I am a person with spondyloarthropothies, and I know how real they are and that the symptoms are definitely REAL!! So now let me just talk to you a little bit about what I had to go through to finally get someone, anyone, to listen to me about my symptoms. Spondyloarthropathies tend to attack the body’s major joints, primarily were ligaments attach to bone. Like myself, many who suffer from a spondyloarthropathy condition are likely to experience pain and reduced mobility in the ankles, knees, hips and lower back that is much more significant in the morning or when waking. These symptoms may become less severe as the day progresses and have often been much less severe following exercise. Patients, like myself, suffering from spondyloarthropathy may also experience pain or stiffness in the shoulders and wrists that follows the same progressive improvement in severity as the other joint pain. Patients may also experience pleuritic chest pain which is characterized by pain in the chest area that may or may not be accompanied with breathing difficulty. It also can be due to costochondritis, which I have often and is very, very painful!!! This symptom alone is not enough to diagnose a spondyloarthropathy as this form of chest pain is also a common symptom of pneumonia, viral illness, a pulmonary embolism, heart attack, lung cancer or a pleural tumor. For that reason, any chest pain should be considered serious and warrants a doctor’s immediate attention for further testing to rule out anything that is critical and must be addressed immediately.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://trialx.com/curetalk/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2011/05/diseases/Ankylosing_Spondylitis-3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trialx.com/curetalk/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2011/05/diseases/Ankylosing_Spondylitis-3.gif" width="350" /></a></div>Weight loss, fever and fatigue are also common symptoms that present with all of the spondyloarthropathy conditions. I would say that for me, in the earlier stages, weight loss was severe. Then I began to gain weight as the disease progressed. Fever and fatigue has been around for as long as I can remember. I have daily fevers, low-grade, in the late afternoon and during the night. Fatigue continues to be a problem for me. Although medications have helped, I still continue to get exhausted and tire easily. I have very little energy, and I also do not sleep well which only makes the problem worse. Some spondyloarthropathies may also cause what is commonly known as sausage digit--a swelling of the fingers or toes. I had the sausage digits on a couple of my toes, which finally went away after starting on a biologic--Remicade. Some patients will also suffer from a heart murmur that will need to be monitored by a doctor as well. I have a history of a heart murmur that comes and goes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.disease-picture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/8/23/ankylosing-spondylitis-iritisyb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.disease-picture.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/8/23/ankylosing-spondylitis-iritisyb.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>Rheumatoid arthritis is likely the medical condition most commonly confused with spondyloarthropathy but is generally able to be ruled out by tests that reveal the rheumatoid factor is not present in the patient’s blood. Of course, this is not always the case because even those people with RA do not always test positive for the rheumatoid factor. Also, since it is quite possible that spondyloarthropathies run in families, a patient’s family history is also a good indicator of whether or not their condition is a spondyloarthropathy or rheumatoid arthritis. Again, this is not always true either because many of us have no one in our families with a spondyloarthropathy. We do not know, however, if this is the case because there truly is no one in our family history with a spondyloarthropathy or if there is a family history, and perhaps no one ever did anything about it~diagnosis, treatment, etc.<br />
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Initially, a patient suffering from spondyloarthropathy will experience pain or stiffness in the lower back; especially in the morning. That pain or stiffness will often gradually feel better throughout the day or following a period of exercise. Fatigue is also a common indicator that someone is suffering from this condition. They may feel worn out more quickly than previously or may feel tired much more often. In time the pain and stiffness in the lower back will spread further into the lower back and the buttocks. Treatment will likely not eliminate the symptoms entirely but should allow relief and prevent the condition from progressing further as quickly. Nothing has been proven to stop the progression of the condition entirely, but treatment will at least slow down the process. For many women, the first symptom is pain and stiffness in the neck, before the lower back, which does not mean that the lower back isn't experiencing any problems. Many times, by the time, they feel symptoms in the lower back, the damage is already severe. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://healthpulsetoday.com/media/localip_thhzukkxgy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://healthpulsetoday.com/media/localip_thhzukkxgy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.medscape.com/slide/migrated/editorial/cmecircle/2006/6069/images/tak/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://img.medscape.com/slide/migrated/editorial/cmecircle/2006/6069/images/tak/34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">Because a major component of the eye is collagen just like the ligaments, tendons and tissue within joint spaces, it is reasonable to think that the eye would also be affected by the <span class="searchclass">symptoms</span> of spondylitis just like the joints. </span><span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">Thirty percent of people with spondylitis have had or will develop a potentially serious inflammation of the eye called iritis. (Acute anterior uveitis and iridocyclitis are additional medical terms to describe iritis.) I have had iritis/uveitis four times. Three of the four times I knew what to look for, but the first time, I didn't even know that the inflammation was occurring. I was at my ophthalmologist for my yearly check up when it was found. This condition can cause blindness if not treated properly, so it is essential for you to recognize its signs and <span class="searchclass">symptoms</span> , and understand the important role you play in your eye health care. S</span><span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent"><span class="searchclass">ymptoms</span> often occur in one eye at a time, and they may include redness, pain, sensitivity to light, and skewed vision. By using a slit-lamp microscope, an ophthalmologist or specially trained optometrist can distinguish iritis from other causes of eye redness (such as from an allergy, trauma, or viral infection).[http://www.spondylitis.org/members/03.aspx?PgSrch=symptoms]</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehavenhealingcentre.co.uk/images/ankylosing_spondylitis01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.thehavenhealingcentre.co.uk/images/ankylosing_spondylitis01.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>In a minority of individuals, the pain does not start in the lower back, but in a peripheral joint such as the hip, ankle, elbow, knee, heel or shoulder. This pain is commonly caused by enthesitis, which is the inflammation of the site where a ligament or tendon attaches to bone. Inflammation and pain in peripheral joints is more common in juveniles with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This can be confusing since, without the immediate presence of back pain, AS may look like some other form of arthritis. Many people with AS also experience bowel inflammation, which may be associated with Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis. Advanced symptoms can be chronic, severe pain and stiffness in the back, spine and possibly peripheral joints, as well as lack of spinal mobility because of chronic inflammation and possible spinal fusion. [http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as_sym.aspx]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/ra/images/ankylosing-spondylitis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/ra/images/ankylosing-spondylitis.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>I have had symptoms of inflammatory back/pelvis pain, unilateral or alternating buttock pain, enethesitis--inflammation where a tendon or ligament attaches to the bone, peripheral arthritis, arthritis of the small joints, heel pain, fatigue, the scaly patches on the skin caused by psoriasis, <span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">skin rashes that commonly appear as thickened red or brown spots, scaling rashes on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, </span>pain and swelling in the fingers or toes, sometimes the swelling causing a "sausage" appearance, small indentations, lifting and /or discoloration of the fingernails or toenails, <span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">fingernails and toenails which may become thickened and crumble as if infected by fungus, </span>pain and swelling in the joints, pain and stiffness of the spine, especially after prolonged inactivity, <span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">fever and chills</span>, <span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">cystitis, which is an inflammation of the bladder or urinary tract, causing frequent urination and a burning sensation when urinating</span>, <span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent"> mouth ulcers, </span>inflammatory eye conditions of the eye such as iritis/uveitis or conjunctivitis which can cause redness, pain, blurred vision and sensitivity to light.<span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent"> </span>I was told that I have sacroiliac joint involvement. I was also told several years ago that where the spine meets the pelvis looks like it was crushed in an automobile accident when I had an MRI done. I never had my pelvis/SI joints crushed in an auto accident.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kelseypro.com/Vaso/ankylosing_spondylitis_dyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.kelseypro.com/Vaso/ankylosing_spondylitis_dyn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There are several types of spondyloarthropathies, and a big difference is age of onset and which sex it affects more. <span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">General onset of AS commonly occurs in younger people, between the ages of 17-45. However, it can affect children and those who are much older. AS is more common in men, but occurs in women as well. </span><span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">Most individuals who have AS also have a gene that produces a "genetic marker"-- in this case, a protein-- called HLA-B27. This marker is found in over 95% of people in the Caucasian population with AS (the association between ankylosing spondylitis and HLA-B27 varies greatly between ethnic and racial groups. It is important to note, however, that you do not have to be HLA-B27 positive to have AS. Also, a majority of the people with this marker never contract ankylosing spondylitis. </span><span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">Undifferentiated spondyloarthritis has an </span>onset of the disease which is insidious and, even years of disease inflammation or calcification of the sacroiliac joints (the joints where the spine meets the pelvis) is often absent or mild on routine x-rays. According to some experts, the age of onset is very wide and tends to peak at age 50. Unlike AS, USpA is more common in females and only 20-25% of people with USpA are HLA-B27 positive. Some people with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy later develop symptoms of the other forms of spondylitis, such as AS, but many will continue to have chronic, but not severe symptoms, and remain "undifferentiated." [http://www.spondylitis.org/about/undif.aspx]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1440642367655&id=ab3963e00931057c58a53935ce46056e" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1440642367655&id=ab3963e00931057c58a53935ce46056e" width="400" /></a></div>In juvenile spondyloarthritis, sometimes the symptoms are episodic and unpredictable, seeming to come and go without an obvious cause over a long period of time. This cycle of disease flare up followed by remission may be repeated many times. It is important to note that the disease progression and the severity of symptoms vary in each person. Some children may experience a mild, short-term disease, whereas others experience a severe, long-term and disabling condition. The more common symptoms of juvenile spondyloarthritis include arthritic pain, especially around the heels or toes, around the knee and in the lower back. Frequently, the first symptom is pain at the site where ligaments and tendons attach to the bone (the inflammation at this location is called enthesitis). Months or years later, other joints may be affected, particularly joints of the spine or sacroiliac (SI) joints - the joints at the base of the spine, where the spine meets the pelvis. At the beginning of the disease, children often have inflamed, swollen joints like the knees and ankles, but in adults, the spine is more likely to be involved. This inflammation can cause permanent damage if left untreated. Sometimes children with spondyloarthritis develop other symptoms as well. These include fever, psoriasis (a chronic skin rash), other rashes, colitis or Crohn's disease (inflammation of the intestines), and iritis (inflammation involving the eye). Rare complications may affect the heart, kidneys, or spinal cord. It is also important to know <span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">the exact cause is unknown, but genetics do play a key role. Much like in adult-onset spondyloarthropathies, the genetic marker, HLA-B27 is often found in those with JSpa. [http://www.spondylitis.org/about/juvenile.aspx]</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://symptoms.cure2arthritis.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Ankylosing-Spondylitis-Arthritis-Symptoms-.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://symptoms.cure2arthritis.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Ankylosing-Spondylitis-Arthritis-Symptoms-.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>About 20% of people who develop Psoriatic Arthritis will eventually have spinal involvement, which is called psoriatic spondylitis. The inflammation in the spine can lead to complete fusion - as in ankylosing spondylitis - or skip areas where, for example, only the lower back and neck are involved. Those with spinal involvement are most likely to test positive for the HLA-B27 genetic marker. The symptoms of psoriasis include scaly red patches appearing anywhere on the body, but often on the scalp, elbows, knees and lower end of the backbone. In psoriatic arthritis, the skin condition is accompanied by arthritis symptoms: the scaly patches on the skin caused by psoriasis; pain and swelling in the fingers or toes, sometimes the swelling causing a "sausage" appearance; small indentations, lifting and /or discoloration of the fingernails or toenails; pain and swelling in the joints; pain and stiffness of the spine, especially after prolonged inactivity; inflammatory eye conditions of the eye such as iritis or conjunctivitis which can cause redness, pain, blurred vision and sensitivity to light. [http://www.spondylitis.org/about/psoriatic.aspx]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.health-res.com/EX/08-06-07/reitersyndrom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="http://www.health-res.com/EX/08-06-07/reitersyndrom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">Reactive Arthritis usually develops 2-4 weeks after the infection. A tendency exists for more severe and long-term disease in patients who do test positive for HLA-B27 as well as those who have a family history of the disease. Symptoms include: </span>pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints including the knees, ankles and feet; skin rashes that commonly appear as thickened red or brown spots, scaling rashes on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, or a red scaling rash on the penis; involved fingers and toes that often swell, causing the so-called "sausage digits;" fingernails and toenails which may become thickened and crumble as if infected by fungus; fever and chills; inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis, uveitis or iritis) that can cause redness, pain, sensitivity to light and skewed vision; enthesopathy - inflammation where the tendon attaches to the bone; inflammation and pain in the lower back or pelvic area; cystitis, which is an inflammation of the bladder or urinary tract, causing frequent urination and a burning sensation when urinating; genital sores appearing on the shaft of the penis or scrotum, or in women, on the external areas of the genitals. These are usually blisters that break open and crust over. Although they heal without scarring, these blisters can be a source of great anxiety in those with ReA. [http://www.spondylitis.org/about/reactive.aspx]<br />
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<span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">Ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases tend to run in families, so there is a genetic factor involved as well. Those who test positive for the HLA-B27 genetic marker are much more likely to have spinal involvement with enteropathic arthritis than those who test negative. </span><span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent">Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two types of IBD most commonly associated with enteropathic arthritis in spondylitis. Abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea are the most common symptoms of IBD.</span> Arthritis symptoms may precede the IBD symptoms. About one in five people with enteropathic arthritis will have inflammatory arthritis in one or more peripheral (limb) joints such as an arm or leg, although the lower limbs are more commonly affected. The severity of the peripheral arthritis normally coincides with the severity of the IBD, thus when diarrhea and abdominal pain are flaring, the peripheral arthritis tends to flare as well. About one in six people with IBD also has spinal inflammation, although this inflammation is independent of the severity of the bowel disease symptoms. In many, this may just be arthritis in the sacroiliac (SI) joints, but in about five percent of people, the entire spine is involved, as it is in AS.[http://www.spondylitis.org/about/ibd.aspx]<br />
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When I was writing this, I kept thinking that I should have a site like Google just for symptoms. It would be like an online search tool for symptoms only, but it wold only be for symptoms~kind of like Web MD's search tool. The part that would be most interesting is that it would come from me since I've actually experienced most of the symptoms myself. It would be like asking me personally~have you had this symptom Dana Morningstar? How did it feel? What did the doctors tell you? What did you do about it? Could you give me some advice? It would be so cool?....Someday in the future I hope...<br />
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<span id="_ctl4_htmlcontent"></span>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-16377218022090533622011-10-29T08:45:00.002-04:002012-07-19T16:34:54.782-04:00Social Outings: My Disabled Parking Spot Is a Microcosm of My Life in Regards to Social Outings in How People Look at Me and Treat Me When I Go Out...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh_tst4T2q8/TqvrMLXgu1I/AAAAAAAADFE/JpcDic2EWno/s1600/thisnthatseptember2011+240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vh_tst4T2q8/TqvrMLXgu1I/AAAAAAAADFE/JpcDic2EWno/s400/thisnthatseptember2011+240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>My heart races, my palms sweat, and I worry about how long I will last. Will I feel well enough to make it through a full dinner, sitting in a chair at a table in a restaurant? Will there be a place to sit at the party we are attending? What is the parking like? Do we park on the street; will it be a close enough spot so I won't have to walk far? Can I wear my awesome new shoes, or will I be stuck standing in the corner praying that we leave soon so I can cut my feet out of my shoes? The history of my family's nationality is Italian (Sicilian), Irish, German, and my very own history is that I was born on Nov. 3rd, making me a Scorpio, born in the year of the Tiger. What does all that mean? Well, I'm normally outgoing, happy, funny, everybody knows me, the life of the party, easy-going, and loud!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FSL3qOCE9tg/TqvrN0NvwdI/AAAAAAAADFM/oL8nV5E_HOI/s1600/thisnthatseptember2011+229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FSL3qOCE9tg/TqvrN0NvwdI/AAAAAAAADFM/oL8nV5E_HOI/s400/thisnthatseptember2011+229.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I was always the person that loved a party. I enjoyed throwing a party and going to one. I still do, but just not the same as I did years ago. I was even thrilled with the prepping for the party; still am, but it's so different now. I used to decide last minute to have friends over, or I'd jump at the chance to go over to a friend's spur of the moment. First of all, so much planning is involved just in my day-to-day life now that adding any new tasks, activities, etc. involves extensive planning. Besides extra planning, I also have to take into account that I will need to set aside more rest periods and breaks because I will be doing more in the time allotted for my normal activities of the day. I can't add more time to my day. That would be perfect!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvD5-ANhWhk/T_yVYb3_WbI/AAAAAAAAGbM/SbBWnZepX4Y/s1600/p12584ta104281_19_0-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvD5-ANhWhk/T_yVYb3_WbI/AAAAAAAAGbM/SbBWnZepX4Y/s400/p12584ta104281_19_0-002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Usually with social outings, I want to look <b><i>good</i></b>. If we are going out, I want to take some time to fix my hair and make-up and put on an outfit that makes me look confident, strong, will make heads turn, and so people will be talking about me the next day (and not about the fact that I limp, the size of my scar on my right arm, if I look like I'm getting enough sleep, about my weight--up or down--or their opinion about the status of my arthritis and physical condition in general). I want people to talk about me as a person, as Dana, not as my chronic illnesses. I want them to notice how <b><i>awesome</i></b> I am and like me for me! That is what I look forward to when we have social outings. That is why I love to go out with my hubby and friends. I forget about being sick for a brief moment. Others see me for me. Problem is that my illnesses are a part of who I am, and they don't go away just because I forget about them for a while. I am not my chronic illnesses; they are not me; but we are partners in a sense.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MThQ7AajjmI/T_yZE83K1DI/AAAAAAAAGXo/Xce7Es35KkQ/s1600/feb2012%25252520011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MThQ7AajjmI/T_yZE83K1DI/AAAAAAAAGXo/Xce7Es35KkQ/s400/feb2012%25252520011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Certain things that others may take for granted, I have to struggle with daily. I can choose not to wear make-up which is a lot easier for me because it is painful for my hands, fingers and wrists to put on make-up. Normally, I just wash and brush my hair and then let it dry~easy shmeezy! When we are getting ready to go out somewhere, I have to one-up myself. Make-up application can be a painful procedure, but when I have a psoriasis flare, which I have been struggling with for almost 4 months now since June, I have to deal with how to apply my make-up. It is a difficult process, a tedious one, and requires several careful steps. First, I wash my face with a gentle scrub to remove as many skin flakes as possible, and the gentle scrub doesn't irritate the skin. I pat my face dry, and then I apply a moisturizer for eczema/psoriasis prone skin. I let that soak in a bit. Then I apply my psoriasis steroid lotion. It's thin so make-up goes over it pretty easily. I use all Physician's Formula products for my make-up and apply a very thin layer of green pre-treatment to cover the redness. Then I apply a thin layer of light liquid foundation. Then I use a powder that is translucent with yellows and greens in it to again cover any redness that is still visible. Then I use a buff beige or creamy natural colored powder compact. I brush gently over my entire face to remove any excess powder. Then I apply a light bronzer to bring a little life and light back into my skin. Then I add some rose colored blush to my cheeks and eyelids. Then I am done. I still am flaky a bit, and I still have some redness and itchy/painful skin, but the difference is like night and day!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GS_O_zj0XFg/TqvqajW6BaI/AAAAAAAADE8/FaRZsPkendQ/s1600/thisnthatseptember2011+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GS_O_zj0XFg/TqvqajW6BaI/AAAAAAAADE8/FaRZsPkendQ/s320/thisnthatseptember2011+066.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEOdYifuew8/TqvpVSDaDAI/AAAAAAAADD0/bpItryJ2U5E/s1600/FromCameraPhone+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEOdYifuew8/TqvpVSDaDAI/AAAAAAAADD0/bpItryJ2U5E/s320/FromCameraPhone+061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Then there is the hair...I usually am so worn out from doing my make-up, that I don't have much strength left in me to do much to my hair. I have straight hair, but I use a flat iron to flip the ends out or curl them under. I also curl my bangs under with it. I have a long, asymmetrical hair style with bangs. It is pretty simple to style. It looks pretty when I use the flat iron, and as long as I am caught up with coloring my hair (dark auburn), I'm good. If my hair needs to be dyed, I use Clairol's Natural Instincts 30R. Otherwise, if I fall behind, I have gray roots. I just experienced that, and I do <b>NOT</b> want to go there <b>AGAIN</b>!!!! All my roots are so gray now, almost white. They are so coarse and break easily. Some are about an inch long from the root and stick straight up from my part. OMG! They are so noticeable. I used to pull the gray hairs out before a social outing. Now, there are too many to count let alone pull out. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6E6bH7fXmzo/T_yZDekrjfI/AAAAAAAAGXg/FVXZnrYBA54/s1600/feb2012%25252520009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6E6bH7fXmzo/T_yZDekrjfI/AAAAAAAAGXg/FVXZnrYBA54/s400/feb2012%25252520009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>With my horrible psoriasis flare, I couldn't dye my hair because it was on my scalp. I didn't want to put any chemicals on my head with open sores and wounds from the psoriasis rash on my scalp. That would be all I needed~an infection on top of the psoriasis. So I waited and waited for the scalp to clear up. The first day that the scalp was clear of the psoriasis, I tore open a box of Clairol's Natural Instincts, and away I went with the application! Funny bit of info~the only time I wear my contacts is for a really elegant event like a wedding or a gala......AND.....when I dye my hair. Why?...because I can't see but a couple inches in front of my face. I wear glasses all the time. I have contacts for those special events, but I really can't wear contacts because of the Sjogren's. I make next to no tears at all. The tears that I do make do not contain the oily lubricant. They are just salt water. Just thought I would give ya that little bit of info about me. Kinda funny I think. Most people would take their contacts out for fear they might get the dye in their eyes and get it under their contacts. I put my contacts in specifically for the dye-job. Hmmm....hope I didn't just jinx myself. I haven't gotten any in my eyes yet... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CY-bDDA3KJ8/TqvmN7ybWHI/AAAAAAAADBs/9eevmTuuzRM/s1600/Picture+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CY-bDDA3KJ8/TqvmN7ybWHI/AAAAAAAADBs/9eevmTuuzRM/s400/Picture+027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>So for me, social outings can be fun, but in order for me to enjoy myself, I have to be fully prepared. I have to be fully rested. Not only for the party, but rested enough to prepare for the party to have enough energy for the prep and for the party itself. I also need to remember that prep might include my getting ready, food preparation, cleaning and straightening our home, decorating, and now that I have a baby, getting him dressed and ready for the outing or for the babysitter. Wow, just by putting it all in writing makes me exhausted!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8LSUom1acw/TqvmTPvgNRI/AAAAAAAADB0/4Nt7xVm83BU/s1600/Picture+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8LSUom1acw/TqvmTPvgNRI/AAAAAAAADB0/4Nt7xVm83BU/s400/Picture+026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qWom3C3HQFE/TqvpBg5sITI/AAAAAAAADDs/MmxL3vAyYF4/s1600/Picture+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qWom3C3HQFE/TqvpBg5sITI/AAAAAAAADDs/MmxL3vAyYF4/s400/Picture+070.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I really wish that my family and friends that see me at these social outings and events could walk in my shoes for a day or a week or a month. ( I really,<b> REALLY</b> wish if they walked in my shoes for a while that during that time, I could borrow their shoes and switch places and be normal for a bit. Phew. That would be such a relief!) Sometimes it is so hard to imagine what it takes for someone who is in chronic pain, who has several chronic illnesses at once to deal with, is disabled and on top of it all has a baby! Now I know I chose to have a baby. Don't write any comments about that little, teeny, tiny part of the sentence. I am just expressing to those that are not chronic babes out there everything we deal with on top of a life as a mommy, which is fairly normal. We do have the right to live a life like those that are fairly normal. I hope you all agree with that! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZfXiDBgGYA/SpbhSOVfFTI/AAAAAAAAAEU/lfo2edWUdpI/s1600/Picture+108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZfXiDBgGYA/SpbhSOVfFTI/AAAAAAAAAEU/lfo2edWUdpI/s400/Picture+108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>That is why we will go through hell to cook and clean, and put layer upon layer of pre-treatment and make-up, dye our coarse, gray hair (most likely caused from all the medications and anesthesia). We want to enjoy our lives. We need the social interaction, whether it is with healthy, "normal" people, or with people that are going through similar chronic conditions like us. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q20iHQt5O3Y/TqvqWIi49sI/AAAAAAAADEk/7nHkT7_sAYI/s1600/thisnthatseptember2011+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q20iHQt5O3Y/TqvqWIi49sI/AAAAAAAADEk/7nHkT7_sAYI/s400/thisnthatseptember2011+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> I don't always go to social outings with "normal" people. I also go out with my "like" friends. Although I like the social outings that take my mind off being sick and help me feel normal for a moment, I also actually enjoy going out with my "like" friends to be myself in another direction completely. Those are the social outings when I don't have the energy to cover the psoriasis, and have my gray roots that are 2 inches thick. We limp along together, and sometimes get looks from others. These are the social outings that others look at me for me when I <b>DON'T</b> look <i><b>good.</b></i> This is when my illness is not so invisible, and for once in a great while I look <i><b>sick.</b></i> I have a few "normal" friends that I can show this side of me with when we go to social outings, but with most I prefer to hide as much of the chronic side of me that I can when we are in public shopping, partying, having dinner, celebrating, or whatever we are enjoying together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83bBHK35de4/TqvoKsc2UrI/AAAAAAAADCs/qmX9X3WdqtI/s1600/Picture+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83bBHK35de4/TqvoKsc2UrI/AAAAAAAADCs/qmX9X3WdqtI/s400/Picture+102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2tVcIpvw4k/TqvoMQxa1rI/AAAAAAAADC0/R9qcTr59FZg/s1600/Picture+103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2tVcIpvw4k/TqvoMQxa1rI/AAAAAAAADC0/R9qcTr59FZg/s400/Picture+103.jpg" width="400" /></a>Sadly, many people who say they love you no matter what, will be a shoulder for you to cry, will hold your hair while you get sick from your chemo, will have a pajama day with you everyday whereby no one wears any make-up or does their hair; but the moment you are invited to an important social event together, they do not want to be seen with you if you are not going to be able to do something about covering up that skin condition (psoriasis) that looks like the horrible acne you had back in high school. They don't understand why you won't go ahead and cover your grays with the dye. Psoriasis is "just really dry skin on your scalp, right? So how could dye harm it?" They don't want to take the time to understand your illness, so they just make assumptions which are incorrect, and as I was always told about when you assume, you make an ASS out of U and ME! Psoriasis is not acne. When it is on the face, it does resemble it. It can be severe. It can bleed. It can scab and scar. It can look like raw meat and pizza face like the awful names kids called each other in high school with severe acne, but it is not acne. It is not caused from being dirty. Washing your face more will not clear up your skin. These are all things that have happened to me, real things that people have said to me, actual words from "normal" people who are not sick. These are hurtful things. This is why it can be hard sometimes to go to social outings with "normal" people, and why it is a lot easier to go with "like" chronic babes! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxuKlOhd-Ao/TqvoT0GZkvI/AAAAAAAADDM/ZSL6y-_ARwE/s1600/Picture+124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxuKlOhd-Ao/TqvoT0GZkvI/AAAAAAAADDM/ZSL6y-_ARwE/s320/Picture+124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This isn't always the case though. I just want to stress that I do enjoy going out with my "normal" friends that treat me like a person, like I mentioned in the beginning of this blog post. That is why I am able to forget for the moment that I'm sick. They treat me like I'm not sick. That is what is so fun about it. I get all dressed up and spiffy, and then my "normal" friends treat me normal! So ya see, it is hard for us chronic babes to live in both worlds. Best case scenario is to be able to bounce in and out of both worlds from the "normal" world back into our "chronic" world. It takes practice, and trial and error. Find what pace works best for you, and how often you can leave your chronic world to go to "normal" social outings. Also, make sure that you are treated equally in the "normal" world. If you aren't, it isn't worth your time and effort. You would be using a lot of energy preparing to go and then actually attending for something that you would be getting nothing but heartache and pain from.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfE6jua6KYc/TqvoRE1nG3I/AAAAAAAADDE/gkomLBhrL6g/s1600/Picture+123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfE6jua6KYc/TqvoRE1nG3I/AAAAAAAADDE/gkomLBhrL6g/s320/Picture+123.jpg" width="320" /></a>It makes me think of all the times that I park in my disabled parking spot...<br />
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So many times I have gotten out of the car, and someone has said to me not to park in a disabled spot because it was for someone that needed it. Each time, the person thought there was nothing wrong with me to cause me to park in a disabled spot. Of course, I have many, many things wrong with me physically, and in fact, have 2 joint replacements, and I am awaiting the collapse of 4 other ones at any moment to then have them replaced. There are some days that are better days (I <i><b>rarely </b></i>use the term <b>good days</b>), and on these days, I may still park in a disabled spot (because I am still disabled even if I'm having a <b>better day</b>), but I will most likely have my make-up on, be dressed nicely, and have my hair done and dyed! On bad days, I again will be in the disabled spot, but on those particular days, I will very likely be in sweats or lounge wear, will have no make-up on, and will definitely have my hair in a ponytail with my bangs clipped back. The disabled parking spot is a microcosm of my life in regards to social outings and how people look at me and treat me when I go out.Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-68318230553782565242011-10-12T00:21:00.005-04:002012-07-19T16:56:19.363-04:00World Arthritis Day! My numbers 85-18-36!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm4joTPhaZA/To57e6JQGRI/AAAAAAAAG_c/hiVrOXG-u4c/s1600/thumbnail-019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm4joTPhaZA/To57e6JQGRI/AAAAAAAAG_c/hiVrOXG-u4c/s400/thumbnail-019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I'm kicking off World Arthritis Day with a look back at when I really began having symptoms that made me ask questions and seek advice from my doctor. I began to put things together and wonder if different symptoms and things that I had in my childhood that were showing up again were chronic conditions. I wanted to put a name to the way I was feeling. I knew there was no way I was wearing myself out with just my normal day-to-day activities and a lifestyle of no smoking and no drugs (I'd love to say no drinking, but I was in college at the time and was experimenting with drinking beer at parties and then going to class at 8 a.m. the next morning). So If you asked me when my onset of my autoimmune arthritis symptoms were, I would have to say that when I began college is when my body really started going crazy! I remember that during this time, I had several severe kidney infections. I had a staph infection that somehow decided to land in my outer ear and earlobe. My ear became double its size and filled with fluid. It was like all the poison was waiting to take over my body! I began having severe stomach problems. I always had problems with my skin. The next year, I had mononucleosis and missed an entire semester of school. I never got out of bed. I basically slept through a semester of my Sophomore year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlrzwPFjP4o/S7K3XB-h9mI/AAAAAAAAAME/MQwDYndqBgA/s1600/Jim_Dana_Destin_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlrzwPFjP4o/S7K3XB-h9mI/AAAAAAAAAME/MQwDYndqBgA/s400/Jim_Dana_Destin_3.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>Then, my Junior year, I was hospitalized for unexplained fever, joint pain, and abdominal pain. Of course they found nothing. Figures.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXChpp7f2pU/ToDG1CYfY-I/AAAAAAAAG-o/v3I7sMZcGOY/s1600/thumbnail-009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXChpp7f2pU/ToDG1CYfY-I/AAAAAAAAG-o/v3I7sMZcGOY/s400/thumbnail-009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Although I had been dealing with symptoms and vague chronic pain issues since I was a young child, my general health began to go down hill when I started college. I went to four years of college, and with each year that passed, my health became more challenging. I went to college from 1993 to 1997, and I sadly have to admit that during that time, no doctor was able to pinpoint what was wrong with me. Each doctor just thought there were many small things happening in clusters at the same time, which made it seem a lot worse than what it actually was. I began college when I was turning 18. I was still just a child! I didn't realize the importance of knowing my childhood medical history. It would have helped with a much quicker diagnosis. I wasn't diagnosed with my autoimmune arthritis until later as an adult because I didn't know all the details of my childhood medical history. It turned out that I had Psoriatic Arthritis, which led to a later diagnosis of Psoriatic Spondylitis or Ankylosing Spondylitis. It depends if it is in addition to the PsA or a part of the PsA. I was also diagnosed with Sjogren's and EDS. My diagnoses were not made until between 2002 and 2004. If I had known that I had Psoriasis as a child, that my mother also has Psoriasis as well as my brother, the diagnosis may have been made when I was a young child. Instead, I didn't seek a doctor to give me a diagnosis until the 90's, and it took nearly a decade to diagnose me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSXeYWO9Bw8/Tg6zrPcqDsI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/v-hEt103UZI/s1600/2dflbl56.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSXeYWO9Bw8/Tg6zrPcqDsI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/v-hEt103UZI/s320/2dflbl56.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>There is a huge debate right now over whether or not being over weight can lead to autoimmune arthritis. No, it can't! It is that simple. There is plenty of information out there people. Read it! Osteoarthritis is different from autoimmune arthritis. Osteo is caused by the overuse or wearing down of the joint/connective tissue. Autoimmune arthritis is when something in the body causes the body to attack itself! It depends on what type of autoimmune arthritis it is to know what part of the body will be damaged.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUaUF9W2IxI/TlCR5zULNnI/AAAAAAAAC9I/8RG5qvdQTy0/s1600/Michae.wedding.thisandthat+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUaUF9W2IxI/TlCR5zULNnI/AAAAAAAAC9I/8RG5qvdQTy0/s320/Michae.wedding.thisandthat+063.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>I get very upset when people talk about moving your joints to keep them in shape or from getting arthritis. Don't be overweight and you will avoid autoimmune arthritis. These are terrible ways to educate the public about autoimmune arthritis. Moving the joints to keep them from being stiff can be helpful even for those with autoimmune arthritis, but it will not prevent autoimmune arthritis from forming. If it is in your body's make-up to have the autoimmune disease, then it will be done. Period. There are some myths floating around out there about weight and autoimmune arthritis. I just want to set the record straight so that all know; being over weight cannot cause you to get autoimmune arthritis!<br />
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My numbers: 85-18-36!<br />
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Please post your story of your onset of autoimmune arthritis in the comment part of this blog. Stress how you feel about weight and its affect on autoimmune arthritis. Also, post your numbers if you know what they are. And since we are on the subject of our numbers, if you know what I am talking about, please post your numbers as your facebook status, on twitter, and ask others to do the same.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e9J0Qy58kJY/Tg1MqRWH7hI/AAAAAAAAC48/DWzgOaFpgJo/s1600/IMG_0550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e9J0Qy58kJY/Tg1MqRWH7hI/AAAAAAAAC48/DWzgOaFpgJo/s400/IMG_0550.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Thank you all so much and enjoy World Arthritis Day!<br />
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Here are some links with information you may be interested in:<br />
<b><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20812050" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20812050</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7986867" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7986867</a><br />
<a href="http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/50/3/450.abstract" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/50/3/450.abstract</a><br />
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This should be an exciting day for Autoimmune Arthritis…thank you in advance for your participation!<br />
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Link to website <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/112571115472364/doc/221449664584508/www.IAAMovement.org">www.IAAMovement.org</a> .<br />
Link to Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InternationalAutoimmuneArthritisMovement">https://www.facebook.com/InternationalAutoimmuneArthritisMovement</a> .<br />
Twitter: @IAAMovement<br />
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<div id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318299508251136"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/InternationalAutoimmuneArthritisMovement" id="yui_3_2_0_17_1318299508251139"><br />
</a></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-85885430419342449382011-10-07T00:43:00.002-04:002012-07-19T17:01:54.494-04:00Friendships<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6CmNhDcL-A/TJbsSWtMB6I/AAAAAAAACtc/VFinEvP20ns/s1600/a82mvunf.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G6CmNhDcL-A/TJbsSWtMB6I/AAAAAAAACtc/VFinEvP20ns/s400/a82mvunf.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><br />
For this MOWer's blog carnival, the topic is friendship. I have had a lot of time to think about friends and friendship since I'm behind in writing my blog posts for this particular blog carnival. Thank goodness this group isn't strict on due dates! I would be in trouble if that were the case because I have so much that I would like to share with this group, and I am grateful for these special friends that I have made online for adding my posts after the fact~after doing all that work. One particular friend, Cookie, finds the time to add my posts, corrects my grammar, and carefully reads and re-reads each of my posts over and over again to make sure it looks the way that I wrote it on my blog. She has even typed it out one word at a time if it didn't look JUST the way it looked on my own blog site. She is an amazing woman and friend. I'm so glad I met her. I look forward to "hearing" from her online daily, and worry when I don't. She does the same. That is a true friend! Thanks again, Cookie, for being such a great, dear friend to me. ;D</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8u7SEVcCuZE/S-XimGlPH8I/AAAAAAAACWU/uGvcy9emarQ/s1600/group_w_Rachana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8u7SEVcCuZE/S-XimGlPH8I/AAAAAAAACWU/uGvcy9emarQ/s400/group_w_Rachana.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tb4FfJ0q5GU/To56yqpqE9I/AAAAAAAAC_k/kIONq_g849M/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tb4FfJ0q5GU/To56yqpqE9I/AAAAAAAAC_k/kIONq_g849M/s640/thumbnail.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">According to Wikipedia, Friendship is defined as... </div><blockquote style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">...a form of an interpersonal relationship generally considered to be closer than association, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and associations. Friendship and association are often thought of as spanning across the same continuum. The study of friendship is included in the fields of sociology, social psychology, anthropology, philosophy, and zoology. Various academic theories of friendship have been proposed, among which are social exchange theory, equity theory, relational dialectics, and attachment styles. Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating the following on a consistent basis:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fB3veEUmZ8/To57KiUuWmI/AAAAAAAAC_4/KOFQK8JPMLU/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fB3veEUmZ8/To57KiUuWmI/AAAAAAAAC_4/KOFQK8JPMLU/s400/thumbnail.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><ul><li>The tendency to desire what is best for the other</li>
<li>Sympathy and empathy</li>
<li>Honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one's counterpart</li>
<li>Mutual understanding and compassion; ability to go to each other for emotional support</li>
<li>Enjoyment of each other's company</li>
<li>Trust in one another</li>
<li>Positive reciprocity — a relationship is based on equal give and take between the two parties.</li>
<li>The ability to be oneself, express one's feelings and make mistakes without fear of judgement.</li>
<li>It is very important to have honesty, trust, sympathy, respect and helpfulness in friendship.</li>
</ul></blockquote><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4exP3aq0E7o/To569ZnoTGI/AAAAAAAAC_s/Pgz8uhLDKQg/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4exP3aq0E7o/To569ZnoTGI/AAAAAAAAC_s/Pgz8uhLDKQg/s400/thumbnail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>All those fantastic fields that I mentioned above are studying and researching the impact of friendships' influence on our well-being and happiness. We cannot deny that having strong social supports helps us, especially women, feel better. People live longer, healthier lives when they have friends, especially strong, bonding friendships. No one knows if friendships actually lead to better health, if there truly is a correlation, a cause-and-effect relationship. There have been plenty of theories though. One theory is that if you have a good friend that leads a healthy lifestyle, he/she will then encourage you to also lead a healthy lifestyle as well. Another theory is that good friends better enhance your coping skills to deal with illness and health problems. Still another theory is that good friends encourage you to seek out help and to access health care and other health services. And the final theory is that there are actually physiological pathways protective of health that good friends affect. Friendship is believed to protect both physical and mental health. Loneliness and lack of friendships have been shown to be linked with more heart disease, viruses, and cancer as well as higher mortality rates.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90k6UovpZCQ/To56stieJ7I/AAAAAAAAC_g/lFNxqE_XcC8/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90k6UovpZCQ/To56stieJ7I/AAAAAAAAC_g/lFNxqE_XcC8/s400/thumbnail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VV4409U-y-o/To5633uyjSI/AAAAAAAAC_o/3mbB4OvODs8/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VV4409U-y-o/To5633uyjSI/AAAAAAAAC_o/3mbB4OvODs8/s400/thumbnail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Friendship is an interpersonal relationship also found in animals~mainly mammals and birds. Cross-species friendships can develop between a human and a domestic animal~a dog or a cat. Sometimes friendships develop between an animal and another animal of a different species. I can say that I have and have had friendships with my dogs. Max was my very close furry friend and buddy who is no longer with me! Cookie (different from before-mentioned Cookie) is still my furry friend and now my son Michael's best friend! I have neighbors with a cat and a dog where the cat and dog are best of friends as well. Also, many times, we have seen a dog and a horse or another farm animal that the dog has befriended. Friendship crosses over too when a dog nurses another animal's babies to health even when it isn't another dog. Amazing stories come out of things like this too!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjVkG9Lc1oQ/TeXRUJ8psKI/AAAAAAAAG5E/lbbSUmO4k7E/s1600/w1reh3vf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjVkG9Lc1oQ/TeXRUJ8psKI/AAAAAAAAG5E/lbbSUmO4k7E/s400/w1reh3vf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I recently blogged about my bestest friends~Ang, Susan, Kelbi, and Carlene. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="border-collapse: collapse;">Each one of these people has brought so much to my life, has entered my life at different times,--perfect times actually--and each one of them is as strong of a woman (or Babe) as the next one! </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse;">I have known Ang since we were 6 years old. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse;">Ang is the type of friend that I can have a no-holds barred kind of fun with. She is also the kind of friend I can trust with my deepest darkest secrets. She knows how to bring me out of my lowest points and how to make me laugh until I pee my pants! She supports me when I fear no one else will. I can text her at 3 a.m. She has come to visit me~jumped on a plane at a moment's notice~because I need a friend, because she wants to share my excitement, because I need a shoulder to lean on, or just because she wants to take a trip somewhere fun or go to a concert--in a two bedroom apartment on a sofa bed in the sunroom or on an air mattress in my baby's room to help with and play with him during the day and then watch a scary movie or two with me at night!!!</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse;">Kelbi, Susan and Carlene all share my pain. I mean they all have a form of arthritis and fibromyalgia. I am able to call or email them any time of the day to talk about anything. It is especially wonderful to have friends who share something like this because they understand exactly what it's like to not be able to get out of bed, to cancel appointments, to feel so fatigued you can't even wash a bowl in the sink or stand to take a shower. They just "get me." It is sad that what brought Carlene and Kelbi to me was the Arthritis Foundation. If it weren't for our disabling conditions and wanting to help other young adults and other people learn to help themselves to deal with the pain and fatigue, we may have never met. If I didn't have arthritis, I wouldn't have been seeing a counselor, and I wouldn't have been introduced to Susan. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse;">I have four Bestest Friends: Ang, Kelbi, Susan and Carlene. They each have entered my life at different times, in different ways, for different reasons~all staying to support me, love me, care for me, understand me, and always be there for me!!! Thank you so much. What would I ever do, where would I ever be, and how could I ever go on without you all? Please read more about them in my previous, more detailed blog about all four of these fantabulous friends in <a href="http://gavertarm2bambidextrous.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-bestest-friends.html">"My Bestest Friends!"</a></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo92gnakAlM/To546rqGnqI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/PeAK5XkR4H0/s1600/Picture+137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo92gnakAlM/To546rqGnqI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/PeAK5XkR4H0/s400/Picture+137.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZfnaUHxld8/To55Cjxc5lI/AAAAAAAAC_c/w9qEpxDu_KM/s1600/Picture+132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YZfnaUHxld8/To55Cjxc5lI/AAAAAAAAC_c/w9qEpxDu_KM/s400/Picture+132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wqGYR7Z8ccw/To57GPUPzxI/AAAAAAAAC_0/OJlHpLALT3o/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wqGYR7Z8ccw/To57GPUPzxI/AAAAAAAAC_0/OJlHpLALT3o/s400/thumbnail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhuH-f6l8yM/To57VJJOJzI/AAAAAAAADAA/xwgQVTMajTA/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhuH-f6l8yM/To57VJJOJzI/AAAAAAAADAA/xwgQVTMajTA/s400/thumbnail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also, please read more about my hubby; he is my lover~true~but we started out as friends. When we were married 11 years ago, we shared this quote with everyone, and it really summed everything up for us:</span><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This day I marry my friend;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The one I laugh with,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Live for,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dream with, </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And Love!</span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGqqkXQsAOc/To58FSKdkiI/AAAAAAAADAY/SQvPrq4MfpE/s1600/friendship_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGqqkXQsAOc/To58FSKdkiI/AAAAAAAADAY/SQvPrq4MfpE/s400/friendship_06.jpg" width="337" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Eleven years married~seventeen together~we still laugh together, live for one another, share our dreams, and love one another more and more each day. We are true friends with a romantic love for one another. To learn more about my significant other and how much he means to me, please read my poem to him, <a href="http://gavertarm2bambidextrous.blogspot.com/2011/08/significant-other.html">"Significant Other~Will Never Your Eyes, Soul, Heart Forget!!!!"</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I began blogging to help myself. I thought of it more like journaling, the difference was that others had access to it. I didn't even think anyone would read it~ever! I didn't think anyone would be interested in my pathetic, boring life. I also started blogging before I did anything else online. I had an email address, and that was all. My grade school was searching and searching for me for our 20 year Grade School Reunion from 8th grade. Most didn't know that I moved to Georgia from Missouri (with a couple stops along the way in fact). Most didn't even know I was married. Almost no one knew I was in chronic pain, had chronic fatigue, was sick all the time, and had already had one joint replacement at that time, and was well on my way toward more. I basically thought no one would understand, no one would want to be burdened by me, and I would just end up being a bother to everyone. My life seemed to stand still, although we had moved several times. I had gone to a university and gotten my BS in Nursing. I had worked as an RN for a short while, and my hubby had also worked after getting his Ph.D. He was on his 2nd tenure-tracked position. We still had no children, and we had been trying to adopt in every state we lived</span>~<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">no luck!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Somehow I found out that people were searching for me through Classmates.com. I found out that people wanted me to go on Facebook so they could find me easier. They thought I fell off the planet! Ang, that I mentioned before, was looking for me for a few years. Her parents passed away, and she was looking to re-unite with old friends that she shared a special friendship with when she was younger. I got the search on Classmates.com. I contacted her, well when I figured out how to do instant messaging! I can't tell you how excited I was to be chatting with her online! I didn't even know what I was doing. I thought it was like the Jetsons at the time. I couldn't believe it! She told me to get on Facebook as well, so I did. Before I knew it, I had become a new person. I loved it online! I was "friends" with all these people</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I knew from grade school, high school, and college. Then I started adding family to my "friends" list. I then started blogging more. I added my Facebook badge to my blog. Then others started asking to be my "friend" on Facebook. These people were actually reading my blog, commenting, liking what they read, and wanting to be my Facebook "friend." I then was being invited to join other social networks online for people with chronic pain~ChronicBabe, My Invisible Disabilities Network,</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Patients Like Me, etc. Then as my blog got more followers and more people knew who I was, I was introduced to this new exciting thing~blog carnivals!!! I began writing blog posts for different blog carnivals, and then I started joining people's group pages on Facebook for their blogs as well as other Facebook pages related to chronic pain to which these other Facebook pages led me. I really started racking in the new Facebook friends online. I was up to over 1100 friends! It started getting crazy actually because I felt like I didn't really "know" the people with whom I was friends. I decided to divide my personal Facebook into two separate profiles, one for family and friends that I actually knew and met and one for online friendships. This happened when we adopted our son Mick. It worked out well because I didn't really want to post pics of him online for people to see that I didn't really know anyway. Now that it has been a while, I have added to my family and friends profile online friends with whom I have built a relationship and trust. I like this so much better because I spend so much time on my family and friends Facebook profile but not very much time with my online friends profile. Some people are on both of course because they started on one and wanted to be added to the other. If you started on the family and friends and were added to the other, it was probably your choice. If you did the opposite, then I probably felt like I got to know you enough and trust you to add you to my family and friends profile. I am so happy to have you all on whatever Facebook profile you are. I care about all of you, whether I know you well enough to really love you as a true friend or care about you by association because of a common cause or interest, etc. So thank you all for that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I find it so amazing how the internet works now. I met people on social networks other than Facebook, on Facebook itself, through my blog, through other blogs, and in groups on Facebook. I have recently looked back at old conversations and comments with people that I have met online. I have had their support and have been supporting those same people from the beginning! Our friendships are long-lived and strong. We have fought the same battle. We have lived lives so similar, so challenging, and with so many struggles. We think about people with whom we see and talk in our everyday lives that mean so much to us, and of course those friendships are special. But, I can't believe how much my friendships have meant and still mean to me that I have made online. The nice thing about my online friends is that they are always there! I turn on my computer, and your smiling faces are all right there staring at me. I can't tell you what that means to me. Well, I guess you all know, because you see it too! It is a wonderful feeling to be able to find someone at any time of day anywhere in the world at your reach. I never thought I could have friends from Ireland, England, Germany, Canada and even within my own country in other states~Texas, New York, etc.~who all seem to live together inside my laptop. Thank you all for always being there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are so many people out there who don't "get it." My online friends are very important to me. Many of them are true friendships that mean as much to me as do my friendships with people that I can touch, see and go to lunch with~some even mean more to me depending on who we are talking about. There are a few groups of online friends that are going through such similar things as me healthwise or know someone going through the same thing that I am going through that they can sympathize or empathize with me. I can think of a few online individuals who I know for a fact desire what is best for me because they have told me over and over again how to take care of myself because they want to see me as well as can be. I can also even pinpoint a select few who are so honest with me that they would outright tell me to stop doing something because it's not a good idea and do something different for myself immediately because they care about me as friends. There is a mutual understanding and compassion there, and I will always be there for them just as they are always my emotional support. I am able to be myself. I don't have to act like someone else in their presence. I am never judged, and I do not ever judge them. We trust each other and enjoy each other's company. And like I stated before, all of this is important to have a true friendship~honesty, trust, sympathy, respect, as well as helpfulness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now it doesn't mean that I am ditching my friends in "real-life" to be with my online friends all the time. And I never said that I like the friendships in "real-life" more than my online friends either. They are just different types of friendships. The relationships are all together different, but I am still the same person. I don't have to change, and that is super-important. All of you get to know that I like to joke even when I'm not funny. I like to talk a lot, so for my online friends, it comes across as "wordy" most likely. But, ya know, if I took out a lot of those words and adapted to this new form of "texting" and chatting, etc., well, you just wouldn't get the "full effect" of the true "Dana." I'm expressive. And with expressive, well, comes lots and lots of words...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, I was going to end here, but I feel it's important to add that with all my talk about how important friendships are and getting to know people online, I wanted to add that I recently was introduced to a fellow blogger, Sweet Sara (<a href="http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com/2011/09/mourning-into-dancing.html">Gitzen Girl</a>). She blogged about being homebound and having Ankylosing Spondylitis. She very recently got sick, very sick, so sick that she did not get better. She passed away Saturday, September 24th at 11:14p.m. from complications of A.S. Thank you, Sweet Sara, for becoming an online friend to so many people...</span><br />
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</blockquote>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-46400052847273087842011-09-05T00:42:00.000-04:002011-09-16T01:11:03.236-04:00You are not alone. I am here to stay...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Lyrics bring tears of joy as well
as tears of loss. The rhythm and the beat infectious; I can
be distracted from my chronic pain. Use the lyrics and music to embrace
the pain and my chronicness. So, my assignment, should I choose to accept it (totally did) is to think about a personal
playlist (while Apple works on the imoodpod): what songs inspire,
elevate mood, give a shot of energy? And, why these songs – what about
those lyrics, that singer/songwriter, band – speaks to me? By sharing – my songs of inspiration, mood improvement (or reflection), anthem(s)
to my chronic illness(es), get-me-moving-beats – with other folks
dealing with chronic illness(es) and chronic pain, I can open up new
worlds of lyrics, musicians, musical styles." This was my entry for the <a href="http://phylor.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/pfam-blog-carnival-soundtracks-of-our-lives/">PFAM blog carnival</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I immediately thought to use Michael Jackson for my artist of choice and choose a few of his songs that I feel represent what is going on in my life right now. Michael Jackson suffered a lot, and although he was a public figure, he was a very private person. He suffered from pain. He had trouble sleeping, lost a lot of weight, had what many believe to be arthritis and lupus. He also had a skin condition called vitiligo. He very well may have also been dealing with skin and hair conditions due to the lupus and arthritis as well. We lost a very talented artist, a legend, and someone that we should have probably been spending more time listening to his lyrics than focusing on what he was wearing or what he was covering up under his clothing, his masks and his sunglasses and hats. Who cares about all of that? How the hell did that affect any of us?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We need to Heal Ourselves so we can "Heal The World",</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because "We Are The World"!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We all "Cry"!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have to start by looking at the "Man In the Mirror" for everything, helping ourselves, others, asking for help, opening up to others, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many times, all we want to say is "Leave Me Alone!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Don't Walk Away"! I'm not done yet. Michael Jackson has always made me feel like dancing. When I was 10 years old, I had a hope chest full of pictures of him because I wanted to marry him, sadly that dream has dissolved...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Michael Jackson has made me feel like dancing, has given me ideas for the best Halloween costumes, has caused people to memorize his dances (ummm, Thriller ring a bell?), and people know his songs from when he was a little tike~ABC as easy as 123...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He has a following that no other musical artist has, was a humanitarian, a father, a dreamer, sensitive, a poet, a loner, sad, likely depressed, in pain, suffering from chronic pain and chronic illness, suffering in silence, alone, and like many of us, afraid to talk about it and wanting to be left alone and instead considered odd and different and weird. Had he stood up for himself, admitting he was sick, becoming an advocate and an activist for those with chronic pain and chronic illness, would it have changed his life at all? I would have to say yes. I don't know for sure, but if you are suffering in silence, don't. Today, you are "gonna make a change for once in [your] life, [it's] gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference, gonna make it right..." Tell others about your health problems, educate them, people jump to conclusions many times and make assumptions because of ignorance and lack of knowledge. It is up to you to let them know about your chronic illness and pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"You Are Not Alone." I will always be here to blog for all of you!!! I love you all. Hugsssss!!!</span></div>
Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-76275429452530176082011-08-23T00:03:00.004-04:002012-07-19T17:11:42.038-04:00Oh So Bad I Ache! Oh My God, I'm Still Awake!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">OK, Now it's time for the Sleep topic for the <a href="http://masqueradeofwords.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/oh-how-bad-i-ache-oh-my-god-im-still-awake-by-dana/">MOWer's blog carnival</a>. I hope you learn a lot from this topic. I think this is an important topic for others to read about those with chronic pain/illness. It is, sadly, something that affects all of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">What I find so interesting is that when our son was born 8 months ago, the question that was asked the most was, "Are you getting any sleep?" I always had to laugh. No, I wasn't getting any sleep, but it wasn't because of my sweet baby boy. He was amazing! He slept through the night since the day he left the hospital. I couldn't believe it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The reason it's so interesting to me is that this seems to be the only time anyone seems to care if you are sleeping through the night, if you have a new baby. No one asks you if you have a chronic illness, especially chronic pain, if you have been able to sleep (unless the other person is also experiencing chronic pain/illness and also not sleeping). Why don't people think to ask that question? Why is it that we would only not sleep if we have a baby? It was actually torture for me to have a baby that slept through the night from the beginning. I kept thinking, "How perfect; I'll have someone to stay up with me through the night, and we can keep each other company. I will take care of my baby, and the baby will help keep my mind off my pain." Well, that is what I get for trying to think ahead and plan...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have tried it all...new mattress, flip/turn the mattress, only use the bedroom for 2 things (sex and sleep), meditate before bed, take a soothing bath before heading to sleep, Sleepytime tea, wind down and read just before bed, journaling before closing my eyes, using a TENS unit while sleeping, pain meds, sleeping meds, heat/cold on painful areas, different positions, prayer, and many more...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAWYG-IM0Bk/TlMgmXrSsBI/AAAAAAAAC98/z-8lIbChVrc/s1600/232323232%257Ffp-9%253B-vq%253D7%253B6%253B-849-258-WSNRCG%253D343-45825-335vq0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAWYG-IM0Bk/TlMgmXrSsBI/AAAAAAAAC98/z-8lIbChVrc/s1600/232323232%257Ffp-9%253B-vq%253D7%253B6%253B-849-258-WSNRCG%253D343-45825-335vq0mrj.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Lately it has been much, much worse. I stay on the couch, and stay online until the wee hours of the morning while my hubby and dog go to bed. My son also sleeps so soundly. He sometimes loses his pacifier, his fafie. He might whine a little. I smile, and as quickly as I can enter his room to soothe him with his favorite fafie I place it back into his soft little mouth. Thank goodness I was awake. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuorFHtyS3g/TlMgnJ7p0BI/AAAAAAAAC-E/9IRqiE7Spwo/s1600/232323232%257Ffp-9--vq%253D7%253B6%253B-849-258-WSNRCG%253D343-45%253B773335vq0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GuorFHtyS3g/TlMgnJ7p0BI/AAAAAAAAC-E/9IRqiE7Spwo/s1600/232323232%257Ffp-9--vq%253D7%253B6%253B-849-258-WSNRCG%253D343-45%253B773335vq0mrj.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">My hubby gets so aggravated. He doesn't really like to be awakened from a deep sleep, and I always get into bed around two or three a.m. He always thinks that I have just been up watching t.v. and goofing around. It is so hard for him to understand that I just can't sleep. If I try to go to sleep when he does, I stare at nothingness. I watch the clock change from 11 to 12 to 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5. By then, I do finally doze off. Then, he is waking up and getting ready for work. Then, my son wakes up and is ready for breakfast. Everyone is well-rested and ready to face the day. I on the other hand am even more tired than the day before...</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each day I am even more and more tired...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Because I am more tired, I am more and more fatigued.. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I need to be able to place my head on a soft pillow and sleep...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I need to be able to find a position to sleep in on a good firm mattress and drift away to dreamland...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I need to actually have a dream again...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I don't remember the last time I had a dream...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I do remember the last time I pulled an all-nighter...last night...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I forgot what it's like to know the difference between night and day...to wake up in the morning refreshed and go to bed at the end of the day...</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I want to be able to say to all the people with chronic pain/illness, "How well did you sleep last night?" instead of "How did you sleep last night?"...because I want to ask a question expecting a positive outcome rather than to ask it expecting a negative outcome...</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">For those of you who don't have a problem with sleep, I have to tell you, it is the worst thing to experience. To just lay in bed and stare at a dark ceiling is miserable. The fact that the pain is keeping you up to begin with is bad, but that you are so fatigued and would give anything to just fall asleep is a different kind of pain. I lay there and want to sleep so badly that it actually hurts!!!! I pray to God to help me to drift off to sleep. I try teas, meditation, hot baths, music, medication, EVERYTHING!!!! Nothing works...And to know that if I could just get some sleep, I would feel a little better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sometimes if my hubby wakes in the night, and asks if I am still up, I answer yes, and keep on talking. I am just so happy that someone is up with me. It isn't long-lasting, however. He soon falls asleep as I'm still in the middle of a story. The next day, he doesn't even remember ever talking to me. When I tell him about it, he gets mad that I interrupted his sleep. He doesn't even remember!!! He isn't tired, how did that interrupt HIS sleep? Oh, well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The biggest thing that I want to get across is what it feels like, why I can't sleep, why many of us can't sleep. This is how it is for me:</span><br />
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<blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></i><i> </i></b></span></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On my belly, the pain is so bad. </span></span></i></b></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Instead</span></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, I flip to my back.</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On my back, my knees begin to ache,</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh my God, I am still awake!</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My feet, my feet, I can't feel my feet!</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They start out numb but then I start to feel HEAT!</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My feet hurt so bad,</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I feel like I could actually go mad!!!</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MUSCLE SPASMS IN MY ASS!!!</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Please, God, when will it pass?</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I want to sleep!!!</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pain is beginning to make me weep.</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tears...</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fears...</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now crying hard.</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I change positions, but I have to guard</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">my hip, my shoulder and elbow too.</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh, God, what do I do?</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pain is now so intense,</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and sleep just doesn't make any sense.</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How do I sleep in a bed</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">that feels like rocks underneath my head?</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will I ever dream again</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">when my pain is so deep within?</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It feels like my marrow is fighting back.</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I feel like I could break if I hit the sack.</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Burning, pounding, aching, stabbing, </span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bruising, biting, pinching; all of it I'm having!!!</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's funny weird;</span></span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each night, having the same things feared,</span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I want to be able to dream,</span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">but need sleep, so it seems,</span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">to be able to even have a dream again.</span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">So when I think about where I've been,</span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I dream that I will someday have no pain,</span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">so I can in fact dream again, all the same.</span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">As for right now, when I lay in bed,</span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the pain is so bad, I often wish I was dead.</span> </span></i></b></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3932401076745952142.post-87941466097680470852011-08-21T00:41:00.004-04:002012-07-19T17:49:05.922-04:00Patients for a Moment Wordless Wednesday"Words tell part of our story as we blog, but pictures often complete that story.<br />
So instead of words, I would like to include photographs of life with your chronic condition(s) to create a <a href="http://talesofrachel.com/2011/08/24/patients-for-a-moment-wordless-wednesday/">Patients for a Moment Wordless Wednesday</a> on August 24."<br />
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Each day we do so many tasks. How many things do you do in one day that involve the use of your hands? Imagine being unable to move or grab things because of intense pain, stiffness and inflammation... <br />
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Before and after my hip collapsed and was replaced, I had to use a cane to walk with. Yes young people do use canes...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlrzwPFjP4o/S7K3XB-h9mI/AAAAAAAAAME/MQwDYndqBgA/s1600/Jim_Dana_Destin_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlrzwPFjP4o/S7K3XB-h9mI/AAAAAAAAAME/MQwDYndqBgA/s320/Jim_Dana_Destin_3.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>Shoulder replacement surgery is not for the faint of heart...<br />
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Atlanta's Arthritis Walk. You should be an activist for your cause...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZS9jH5Nwtc/TBWXUCEzfCI/AAAAAAAACe4/3qf90P90DkE/s1600/snow-YP2-27-10+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tZS9jH5Nwtc/TBWXUCEzfCI/AAAAAAAACe4/3qf90P90DkE/s1600/snow-YP2-27-10+031.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUaUF9W2IxI/TlCR5zULNnI/AAAAAAAAC9I/8RG5qvdQTy0/s1600/Michae.wedding.thisandthat+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUaUF9W2IxI/TlCR5zULNnI/AAAAAAAAC9I/8RG5qvdQTy0/s320/Michae.wedding.thisandthat+063.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>With Psoriatic Arthritis, when my psoriasis flares, it isn't pleasant. It is red, flaky, itchy, painful, scaly, and often on my scalp, neck, ears, eyebrows, elbows, knees, hands, and face (which is not a common place to get psoriasis). It is hard to hide the psoriasis rash on the face, even with make-up because the skin is so dry and even peels. It can be embarrassing because people stare and think it's contagious...<br />
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Every 4 weeks, I get an I.V. for my Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis...<br />
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Healing takes a while after surgery when you have an auto-immune disease...<br />
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My tendons tend to become inflamed and sore. It makes it especially hard to move...<br />
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The fatigue from all of these & fibro is overwhelming...<br />
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Thank God for my wonderful support...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dnE25OTLnAY/TlChuUKoSHI/AAAAAAAAC9s/epE3nKDz7Ss/s1600/wordlesswednesdays+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dnE25OTLnAY/TlChuUKoSHI/AAAAAAAAC9s/epE3nKDz7Ss/s320/wordlesswednesdays+008.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>from surgery. Even a black eye after surgical removal of a tear duct plug and draining of duct due to Sjogren's complications...<br />
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I take 16 to 20 pills per day... <br />
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and vitamin supplemts... <br />
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It's interesting how people choose to use weather terminology for everyday occurrences.<br />
<blockquote>Your room looks like a tornado hit it! </blockquote><blockquote>The bathtub overflowed, and now the bathroom is a flood!</blockquote><blockquote>The dog devoured everything; looks like a cyclone tour through here!</blockquote><blockquote>That child is as mean as a tsunami hitting land!</blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>Those birds were like hail as they pecked at the roof.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
OK, you get the idea. I hope. I could go on and on. So if we could talk about anything in our daily lives so descriptively like it was something to do with the weather, imagine how we could describe our bodies. I'm not just talking about any bodies. I'm talking about weathering the storms with chronically ill bodies.<br />
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Our bodies with chronic illness go though so much and weather many, many different storms. Today, as I sit in the infusion center getting my Remicade infusion, I can tell you that my body has been through storm after storm and so many other weather conditions: rain, hail, sleet, tornado, cyclone, tsunami, blizzard, flood, torrential down-pour, icy roads, slick sidewalks, clouds, excessive heat, thunderstorms, earthquakes, windstorms, breeze, sunshine, clear skies and rainbows.<br />
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It's interesting too because so many people with chronic illnesses, especially pain and joint conditions, put the blame on different weather patterns for how they feel day to day. Many say if the barometric pattern changes suddenly so does the pain, or if it drops or rises, so does the way they feel. For me, if the pressure drops below 30, I know it. I have pain and fatigue and general malaise. If it rises above 30, I feel out of it, and my sinus pressure tends to increase. But I also feel it in my bones if there is a sudden increase or decrease in the pressure. I like to consider myself a human barometer because my body will let me know just before the pressure is going to rise, fall or change dramatically. Many times that tells me when a storm is on its way, when the humidity is coming, etc. I also don't do well with increased humidity and precipitation, which many times happens when the pressure drops or rises. The body know!<br />
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So enough of the literal, actual weather correlation, let's talk about my body. How have I weathered my own storms?<br />
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RAIN<br />
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When it rains, it pours! With my body, I can start with just a little cold or allergies, and it is never anything little. Just these last couple of weeks, my allergies have been fierce. I began to cough from the post nasal drip, the coughing got worse and worse, and the pain increased. How can coughing be painful? It's painful with a little thing that turns into a bigger thing called costochondritis. It is an inflammation of the connective tissue that attaches the ribs to the breastbone. In my case it involves more than just that but also the rest of the rib cage in the intercostal spacing. Every time I take a breath, it hurts. When I have a bad cough, it really hurts because the deep breathing is nearly impossible. I thought I was winded from my asthma, but it turns out I was feeling this way because I wasn't allowing myself to take a deep breath. It hurt too damn bad! Who knew that joint diseases could be such a pain! Ha, I made a funny! Of course they are a pain. I mean a pain in areas like breathing. Well, they are, and people need to know this because if you have costochondritis, and you get a cough with it, it not only rains, it pours. You are looking at torrential downpours, my friends!!!<br />
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HAIL, SLEET, ICY ROADS AND SLICK STREETS<br />
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Hail and sleet, to me, is when my body is bombarded in all areas at the same time. It happens a lot, unfortunately with chronic pain conditions. Just recently, I was driving down the road and realized I couldn't move my right pointer finger. It was stuck, swollen and red. The pain was unbearable. Now, I know what you are thinking, "Pain in your one finger? Big flipping deal." Well, the pain was cruel. My joint pain isn't just like when you stub your toe, people! It is always real, absolute, moderate to severe pain. I never complain though, I just use it to educate people about chronic pain. So I had to drive with my other fingers. Later that day, I realized the way I was holding the stuck finger, started making my wrist hurt. It began to swell and get painful and swollen. Then my wrist was stuck! As the day progressed, my elbow stuck, was swollen and red! Then the other wrist and elbow were swollen. Then my knees were red and hot. Then my ankles were both swollen. Then the bottom of my feet began to hurt so badly I could hardly walk on them. I could hardly move. I was worried earlier that day about driving. It was hard to turn the steering wheel. Now I couldn't walk to the bathroom from the couch. It was my body weathering yet another storm. It was sleeting and hailing, and it was attacking my body alone in the middle of a hot July summer! I was driving my car on icy roads and walking on slippery sidewalks, and it was dry, sunny and super hot! Can you even imagine?<br />
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TORNADO, CYCLONE, TSUNAMI, HURRICANE, FLOOD<br />
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I woke up knowing that I was getting a migraine. I have aura's that tell me one is coming. When I have a migraine, my fibro flares. I don't really know why, but it happens with me. It never fails. With my fibro, it makes it so difficult to get up and go. The fatigue is overwhelming, and it is so hard to do anything that is just the everyday stuff~get up, get dressed, take a shower, and mommy stuff~so I find it impossible to muster up any energy to exercise, even just to take a short walk. So I will just stay on the couch all day and set my son up next to me. Not moving around will make me so stiff and sore, and one by one, my joints will flare up. The psoriatic arthritis will flare. On a particular occasion that this happened, I also wouldn't eat or drink enough, so the Sjogren's symptoms flared~my eyes, mouth and nose got extra dry. I then got sores in my nose, and mouth. I had to see my cornea doctor because my tear duct was infected from getting too dry, and I had to have the tear duct plug surgically removed and the tear duct drained. I had to go to the ENT, and had to have my nose cauterized because it wouldn't stop bleeding from being so dry. Then my psoriasis flared. The scalp psoriasis was the worst. I was even losing hair. My bowels were messed up and I had to see the GI doctor and have a colonoscopy scheduled...I had weathered my tornado, cyclone, hurricane and tsunami. Then there is the flood. There is so much to wait for after so much has happened at the same time to your body. It takes a while to recover. Imagine the clean up after these storms! It can take so long to feel better, and then to get back into normalcy again. The flood waters do go down, but it takes time.<br />
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BLIZZARD, WINDSTORM, EXCESSIVE HEAT<br />
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One day my bones literally feel like they are so brittle that they are barely surviving a blizzard, and have frozen solid, that a windstorm could blow through and break every single one to pieces. Other days my body feels like it is in an oven on broil, and I am overheated. With many auto-immune diseases, we run fevers that are caused by unknown factors. Mine occur usually at night before bedtime or while I sleep. I sweat and get chills just as though I were sick, but it is all part of my auto-immune illness. How my body can burn up from such excessive heat like that; it's like when they talk about heat warnings and heat alerts in the summer time! It can happen any time for me, even in the middle of winter. What I find so crazy about this is that my body is burning up from excessive heat, yet my bones feel like they are stuck in a blizzard with windchill factors below zero. The bones are so sore and achy that it reminds me of being out in the cold, and shivering, but I'm hot! If a windstorm knocked me over, I would crumble! Are you picturing the imagery here? I hope you are.<br />
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EARTHQUAKE<br />
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An earthquake is such a great word to use when referring to my body. I have all these little fault lines throughout my different joints, well it was 6 in all but 2 were already replaced. My hips, knees and shoulders all have Avascular Necrosis. Because the blood supply doesn't reach the joint, the joint dies, then collapses, and then the only thing left to do is replace the joint. When you look at the affected joint on an X-ray or MRI, there is a crack or line that resembles the letter "C" that goes through the middle of the joint. That is my fault line. After a while, the weight-bearing joints especially, can't take the pressure on the joint anymore, and collapse and crumble. I had my left hip collapse in 2003 and my left shoulder collapse in 2009. It's actually strange that the shoulder collapsed before the the other hip and the knees since it isn't a weight-bearing joint. But basically, it's a similar idea. I couldn't carry anything around anymore on that joint, I couldn't lift or push with that arm anymore. Then one morning, I woke up and I could move it no longer! It had collapsed. These joints move at the fault line and collapse, their own version of an earthquake. So now I have to wait for each one of the remaining 4 joints affected with AVN to have their own earthquake, probably at separate times, and most likely unexpectedly. I have small quakes, where the joint moves just so slightly at the fault line, like if I go from a sitting position to a standing position, vice-versa, or if I sit for a long time, or if I exercise and move around an excessive amount. I have endured 2 large earthquakes, and will endure 4 more, unless the AVN spreads to other joints, then possibly more, and I will endure small quakes daily for many, many years. Ah, a wonderful picture~sarcasm!!!<br />
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We all have bad pain days, and we all have better pain days. I can't say that with chronic pain we ever really have good pain days, but we can have good days. I consider days that have less pain cloudy or partly cloudy, and sometimes during that day, the pain is even less, so I see that as a nice breeze that blows by. If the breeze blows hard enough, then there are clear skies. When there are clear skies, these are days that are definitely better days. I can do more stuff, like make dinner, and exercise, etc. Then when there is sunshine, well those are the even better days where I can do stuff that I like to do not just want I need to do, like dance and swim, and play more with my son. And then there are the rainbows! Yes, you don't see rainbow days too much. If I had to call a day a "good day" for a chronic, I'd call it a rainbow day. These are the very rare days when I can catch a movie, go shopping, take a drive somewhere. These are harder now that the psoriatic arthritis has started to involve the spine~spondylitis. I can't sit for a long time in the same position or stand for a long time. Exercise helps a bit, but if I am flaring, it's hard to start exercise. I mostly look forward to partly cloudy, breezy, clear sky days. Sunshine and rainbows I dream about!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Dana Asmara Morningstar-Martonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11825644957086048495noreply@blogger.com