Click to donate organs: Sign up at Gift of Life Michigan

Here's something I came across during my daily news scanning awhile back that I've been meaning to post. It's an editorial from the executive director of the Gift of Life Michigan addressed to all Michiganians.

"As we celebrate the holidays, please consider making the commitment to give the gift of life.

For those waiting for an organ transplant, the gift of life provides the chance for some to see their children grow up, the chance for others to attend school, and for each transplant recipient the opportunity to once again dream of a future. Quite simply, transplantation restores life.

Your decision to become an organ and tissue donor can save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people.

Fortunately, it is now easier than ever to sign up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, especially since January this year, when Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and her staff joined forces with Gift of Life Michigan. It takes only a minute to add your name to the Donor Registry when you visit http://www.giftoflifemichigan.org/. You can also call (800) 482-4881 or visit a Secretary of State branch office.

When you sign up, be sure to have your Michigan driver's license or state ID number. Within 10 days, the Secretary of State will mail you a heart donor sticker to place on the front of your driver's license or state ID.

As the executive director at Gift of Life Michigan, I am privileged to see the miracle of life passed on to another and to experience the compassion of donor families who think about saving the lives of others while in the midst of their own grief. I'm inspired by donor family members who often share that their loss was eased by knowing others are alive today because of the organs and tissues donated by their loved one.

Organs such as lungs, hearts and livers save lives. Donated kidneys mean freedom from dialysis treatments. Bone and tissue transplants can restore movement to people with handicaps or crippling injuries, prevent amputation or literally bring sight to people who are blind.

Since 1993, there have been more than 15,000 organ and tissue donors in Michigan. Nearly half of the organ donors were living donors, sharing a kidney or portion of their lung or liver to help their child, spouse or sometimes even a complete stranger. Amazingly, this translated into 10,900 Michigan lives saved through the generous gift from each of these organ donors and many thousands more Michigan lives improved because of the gift of tissue."

Please take some time to sign up. It literally takes seconds, but could save several lives... and not only that, but you also get a cute heart on your license to boot! :)

Kevin Connolly captures curious stares and glares in the form of art

Imagine what it's like to be born without legs. I know I personally can't even begin to imagine what that's like. How do you adapt to everyday life? Do you sit around and feel bad for yourself? Or, do you feel fortunate knowing that you get to see life from a unique perspective from the rest of us?

Each day, living without legs is a reality for Kevin Connolly, a handsome 22-year-old who lives in Montana. He's never known any different, however, he wouldn't have it any other way.

As a student at University of Montana, he has been blessed to do many things people with legs do not even attempt -- climb mountains and win the skiing competition in the X-Games with a specially created rig. Through his winnings from the X-Games, he has even been able to study abroad and go to 15 different countries. Throughout his travels, he has documented the stares and glares he received and posted them to his website, http://www.therollingexhibition.com/ (go and make sure to read the Artist Statement).

One of the most interesting parts of his travels is how he has been received by people of different nationalities and backgrounds... For example, in Romania, they assumed he was a gypsy. In the Ukraine, they thought he was a beggar and would stuff money in his pockets. He also has been assumed to be a carnival attraction and on our own U.S. turf -- one lady even asked if he was an Iraq War veteran.

I encourage you all to read the full story of Kevin here. Also, watch for the re-airing of his story, which debuted on ABC's 20/20 last night.

Kevin is living proof that you must learn to handle the cards your dealt. The only thing is, he capitalizes on it. He is a true hero. Thanks for sharing your story with the world, Kevin.

Photo to the left: an example of Kevin's work.
A woman in LA stares down at Kevin. As he "rolls" by, he captures her curiosity on his camera.

Ain't no mountain too high even for a small fry

So kids, such as Keats (read above letter) have big dreams. What of it? That doesn't mean they can't reach the sky (literally) and achieve their goals simply because they are too young.

I was able to learn about Keats' big aspiration on CBS' Evening News tonight and thought I would share. It was part of the "Assignment America" series which chronicles interesting little tales happening in our nation.

I couldn't help but tear up out of joy while hearing this 7-year-old boy talk about how he wants to be the youngest ever to climb Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro and is even going to such lengths as learning the language of Swahili and raising money to take on his trip to donate to two African-based non-profits.

I had a few thoughts while watching the segment tonight:

1. One day when my kid says "I'm going to climb a mountain," I hope I can say "What day are you planning on doing that?" And really mean it -- just like Keat's parents did.
2. I really do believe in the youth of America. Despite the daily celeb trash occurring and the current lack of imaginative toys, I think everything will turn out OK when the millennials and "generation now" take over.
3. He's 7. What is he going to accomplish when he's 27? Watch out.

Here's the link to his site where you can get inspired and learn more about his adventure: http://www.climbavolcano.org/

Hunting 101: Learn to Appreciate the Meaning Behind the Kill

I grew up in a family of outdoorsman that live for hunting -- whether its bow or rifle season or a perfect summer morning fit for bass fishing.

For the longest time, I never understood the principle behind it all. As a pro-animal rights lover, I always thought, "Why hurt Bambi and his cute family?"

Through the years, I've watched my dad and brothers pack up their camo and bright orange garb, freeze dried food and tents as they gear up to head north to the wilderness for one of their annual hunting trips during deer season.

"Why do you look forward to these trips so much?" I always used to think. "To go freeze in the cold, not shower for days on end and experience the 1800's by surviving without plumbing? No thanks. Not for me."

Regardless, they would always return from those trips with beards on their faces, stories to tell and bonds in their hearts -- whether there was a deer in tow or not. There was something about the nature in those woods that brought a peace to them that a suburban lifestyle just couldn’t bring.

As a young girl, I was absolutely mortified whenever my friends would come over and would see a dead deer being gutted in my garage. Oh, the nightmares that must have caused! However, looking back, I am grateful to have been exposed to the entire hunting process and through my observations (even the gruesome ones), I've begun to understand what draws people into the "sport."

I've learned hunting is all in what pair of eyes you choose to look at it with. Many people will be blind to the concept and will never give up their opposition to killing Bambi, or using guns at all, while others may choose to open their eyes and realize that destroying a deer’s reproductive abilities or relying soley on our cars for population control is really no less wasteful than just tossing fresh produce into a landfill (especially since the deer's meat will no longer be of use).

According to research, deer cause $250 million in landscaping damage and deer-related collisions injure 29,000 people and kill 1.5 million deer each year.

Nonetheless, deer should not be looked at as God's curse to man. They really are beautiful creatures that I believe have been put on this earth for many reasons -- one of them being food.

Speaking of deer as a source of food, right in line with the trend of low fat, natural and organic food -- venison tops the list in my mind as far as meat goes. It would be a great benefit to hunters everywhere if we were to simply re-label "deer meat" as free-range, grass-fed, organic, locally produced and harvested, sustainable, low-impact, humanely slaughtered meat. That way, perhaps people would continue to take their blinders off.

My inspiration for writing this entry came to me today when I came across an enlightening column, by one of my favorite local journalists --John Schneider of the Lansing State Journal. The story he uncovered focuses on a group who hunters who assist with local hunger issues... one more way to understand the "thrill of the hunt," all the while providing hungry and needy people with healthy sustenance.

Schneider: Sportsman aims to bring in more game for charity in '08

WILLIAMSTON, MI - There's no telling how many car wrecks it prevented, but there's no doubt the local Sportsmen Against Hunger campaign fed a lot of people.

The last of the various deer seasons - late archery and doe hunting on private land - ended Tuesday, and the numbers are in: Local hunters produced about 10,000 venison meals for the needy in this area.

That's a big leap from last year, when Thomas Cullimore of Williamston, the force behind the effort, delivered the meat from five deer - three of which he killed himself - plus half a moose to the Williamston Area Food Bank.

"I can't believe it," said the retired Cullimore, who, since early November, has logged countless hours on the meat wagon, schlepping carcasses donated by hunters to the processor, then retrieving boxes of 100-percent pure ground venison and delivering it to people who feed the local hungry.

And what did Cullimore get out of it?
One-hundred percent pure happiness.

"The joy I get out of doing this ...," he said. "I'm hooked."

Close to home Cullimore, a one-man distribution system, dispensed the venison burger - ideally suited to dishes like chili, spaghetti sauce and sloppy joes - to the Williamston and Haslett food banks, the Salvation Army, and St. Vincent DePaul.

He got a chance to talk to some of the folks who ate it, and the reviews were all positive.

Here's how Cullimore came up with the 10,000-meals figure: The average
deer, he found, yields 35 pounds of boneless venison - 140 quarter-pound meals.


Hunters donated 63 deer, which adds up to 8,820 servings. A 250-pound elk padded the yield.


Safari Club International, which sponsors similar programs in other areas, paid all the processing fees. Cullimore is a member of the board of Safari Club's Lansing chapter.

Cullimore, an avid hunter himself, lives on a 77-acre farm. Although his meat-distribution duties cut into his hunting time, he still managed this year to kill four deer, three of which he donated.

By the way, it's a sign of the time in Michigan that 10,000 donated venison meals weren't enough. "I was getting requests from other kitchens," Cullimore said.

Now, he's REALLY inspired. His goal for 2008: 200 deer. That adds up to ... lets' see ... about 28,000 healthy meals.

My moral from reading this article: Maybe I don't understand all aspects of hunting entirely, but I do respect my family members and I do understand and have a passion for quality food. In the future, if I ever go hungry, I know my family would be there for me and I wouldn't turn my nose up to any food -- even if it ends up being Bambi's daddy.

Childhood Poems; Here's A Thinker

Growing up, I was obsessed with Shel Silverstein poems. As Jason (my fiance) knows, I still enjoy reading them on occasion and have been know to "steal" my nephews books. I came across this touching poem (one of my favorites) and thought I'd post since it's align with my typical blogging topics. It really makes you think -- treat all people, young and old, with respect.

The Little Boy and the Old Man

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."

Said the old man, "I do that too."

The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."

"I do that too," laughed the little old man.

Said the little boy, "I often cry."

The old man nodded, "So do I."

"But worst of all," said the boy, "It seems grown-ups don't pay attention to me."

And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.

"I know what you mean," said the little old man.

- Shel Silverstein

We Are All Unique

Inspirational thought/read for the day. I copied this from something I came across online. I took out some of the corniness though!

Think what a remarkable, unduplicatable, and miraculous thing it is to be you. Of all the people who have come and gone on the earth, since the beginning of time, not ONE of them is like YOU.

No one who has ever lived or is to come has had your combination of abilities, talents, friends, acquaintances, burdens, sorrows and opportunities.

No one's hair grows exactly the way yours does. No one's finger prints are like yours. No one has the same combination of secret inside jokes and family expressions that you know.

The few people who laugh at all the same things you do, don't sneeze the way you do. No one prays about exactly the same concerns as you do. No one is loved by the same combination of people that love you - NO ONE!

No one before, no one to come. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE!
Enjoy that uniqueness. You do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. You weren't meant to be like someone else. You do not have to lie to conceal the parts of you that are not like what you see in anyone else.

You were meant to be different. Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going on in anyone's mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now.

If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind.Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it!

No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can. No one can speak your words. No one can convey your meanings. No one can comfort with your kind of comfort. No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person.

No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in your way. No one can smile your smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of you to another human being.

Share your uniqueness. Let it be free to flow out among your family and friends and people you meet in the rush and clutter of living wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given you to enjoy and share. Give yourself away!

See it! Receive it! Let it inform you and nudge you and inspire you!

YOU ARE UNIQUE!

Taking Time to Give Back During the Holidays

Christmas is fast approaching.

As we all know, the holidays are designated to giving that extends far beyond wrapped gifts under the tree. It’s a season where we *should* reach a hand out to help those who are less fortunate in an attempt to make their holidays a little brighter.

If you want to make that kind of contribution and brighten someone's day locally — it's not tough. One of the most obvious things out there are the Salvation Army bell ringers who have recently taken up their annual vigil in front of all major stores. When you come out of the store with bags full of gifts, make sure to drop your change or a few bills into the red kettle. If you want to go above and beyond, take a turn at ringing that bell yourself by calling your local Salvation Army or for those in southeast Michigan, visit the Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Web site. It's cold and tiring to stand out there, but for the (few) people that take the time to drop a few cents in and smile at the ringer, it's worth it.

If you are in Michigan and hate the cold, another great nonprofit organization that needs help around the holidays is United Way. Check out your local United Way Web site for volunteer events such as delivering gifts or food to the elderly or sorting children's toys for those in need. Click here for volunteer opportunities with UW of SE Mich. Many of the events only require a few hours of time.

Another thing to consider while out shopping is gifts that "give back." I am hoping to write a blog entry in the next few days about such items... But one gift that gives back that I've come across and am smitten with is by Macys.com and is part of the “Path to Peace” collection of Rwandan baskets (see photo above). These have been created in partnership with four Rwandan widows’ organizations. They truly are beautiful pieces of hand-woven artwork that puts sustainable income into the hands of the weavers, helping to change their lives. Each design symbolizes its own thing, whether friendship, unity or peace.

Shop smart, think of others and remember what the holidays are truly about - giving back in some way.