Meet Luci: George Chmiel's Inspiration

Here she is. Luci is George's inspiration in running across the Sahara.

She is a charming three-year-old who suffers from panhypopituitarism. It causes her hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, adrenal insufficiency, growth hormone deficiency and partial diabetes insipidus. Her little system is not strong enough to fight off a common cold. In spite of all of that, she loves to read and play with the family dog.

Jolie and Mike (Mommy and Daddy) have to give her medicine and injections everyday. And the frequent flier miles are accumulating between home and Texas Children's Hospital.

How do they do it? With the support of other families of children with growth disorders Luci they met through The MAGIC Foundation. Networking at the annual convention MAGIC holds in July. Meeting professionals who deal with growth disorders everyday and can provide accurate information and treatment.

The MAGIC Foundation is a501(c)(3) charity which operates on donations. Jolie and Mike host a "Walk for Luci" each fall to benefit MAGIC.

This year George Chmiel is going to run across the Sahara Desert to raise money and awareness for panhypopituitarism for MAGIC. And he leaves in five days. And this is where he is going:


Are you up for 155 miles across THAT? ^^^

George is tackling it after only running for two years. If he can do that, what can you do to help save a child? How about some ideas?

• Stop by George's page on MAGIC and donate directly to the cause.
• Pass this link to everyone you know who cares about children or has a special needs child.
• Go to George and Luci's website to learn more and donate.
• Join The MAGIC Foundation. Your membership will get special families the information and help they need for their special children.
• Let your doctor know about The MAGIC Foundation. Let your clinic get the best information available to diagnose children properly.
• Learn more about the disorders which affect children and are effectively treated with growth hormone.
• Show your support by joining The MAGIC Foundation's cause on Facebook, inviting your friends and donating.

George is only $18,000 away from the total goal of $53,000. Would your employer or physician sponsor George or donate directly to MAGIC? Help support a champion.

Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request. All proceeds from Virginia's Dream are been donated to the Autism Research Foundation from now until December 31, 2009.

Never stop talking!

We had an autism breakthrough this weekend!

We were on the way for a celebratory "Happy Birthday, Daddy!" breakfast at a local restaurant. Along the way, the road is lined with fields of horses and cattle, corn and pine trees, lakes and tractors. While his sister was busy pointing out the flora and the fauna, Nicholas was looking out her window at something entirely different.

He was listening to us talking to her as she pointed things out to us and watching like a tennis match between her and me as we talked. He wanted to play, too. As we passed a line of tanker cars parked on the railroad tracks alongside the road, Nicholas clearly said, "Train."

So, chalk up word number 18! Even if your child is non-verbal, you just keep talking. Talk about everything. Narrate everything you do. Identify everything you pass...even if all you pass is the cabinet, the bathtub and the rubber ducky.

While we do not have a locomotive to walk past at home, we do have a book we read regularly which identifies all the cars on the train. He may be acting like he is not paying attention all the time, but he is understanding.

So, keep reading. Read one book everyday for a week. For fun, read a second book your child picks out. Keep a record of what you read. You may just discover what interests your quiet little one!

No matter how old your child is, never give up on speech therapy and talking to your child. Even non-verbal children who successfully sign can learn to talk. I met a woman this weekend whose daughter began talking at eleven.

Celebrate and rejoice in every single utterance!

Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request. All proceeds are being donated to the Autism Research Foundation from now until December 31, 2009.