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.

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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!

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What a finish line!

Does this just not look like the most beautiful finish line for anyone? This is where George will cross the finish line in his race across the Sahara!

After 155 miles, seeing the pyramids rising out of the Giza plateau (and knowing it is not a mirage) has got to be a comforting thought. Let's hope it fills George with a renewed energy to push toward the finish line for Luci!

George is running to raise awareness and money for the MAGIC Foundation* and panhypopituitarism. Panhypopituitarism is a disorder which affects the pituitary gland: The master gland which tells the body to produce hormones like growth hormone, adrenaline and estrogen or testosterone. With panhypopituitarism, the pituitary gland does not send enough signals to the glands of the body to produce what is needed to grow, mature or even live.

Luci will need treatment for her entire life. Learn more about panhypopituitarism. George is running across the desert to get your attention. Let him know you are listening by joining the MAGIC Foundation and/or making a donation.

* The MAGIC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.

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A stark contrast

What a BEAUTIFUL morning on my mountain! The breeze is crisp, and the air is cool. (No, that's not my mountain. Read on!)

It makes me want to bottle it up so George can take it with him. I am sure he would love to open a bottle and have a sweet, cool breeze caress his face after running in THAT all day! --->

Did you know there were going to be about 150 others competing in the Sahara race? It is one of the legs of 4Deserts Series, which includes the Atacama Crossing (Chili), Gobi March (China) and the Last Desert (Antarctica).

George is going to have to carry his clothes, gear and his ration of water. As if 140 degrees, the blazing sun and sand were not enough, you read that right: ration of water. Participants are given equal portions of water to keep the race fair.

The race will feature a cyber tent so the participants can email and blog and send their results to friends and family around the world eagerly anticipating word of their progress.

If you have not already done it, you need to learn more about George, Luci and why he is willing to take on this grueling race. Amazing what one will do for the love of a child.

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What would you do to save a child?

The time has come to turn a new page and begin a new adventure.

As most of you know, I spend an inordinate amount of time promoting non-profit organizations in their various endeavors to make our planet a better place. Now, I am making a commitment of a larger proportion.

I shared with you my personal story of choosing human growth hormone for our son. Now, I would like to share with you another, more touching, more courageous story.

George Chmiel is going to run (not walk) 155 miles across the Sahara desert. Let that monumental undertaking sink in for a moment. Why would anyone do that? You ask.

Luci Horvath. She is 3 years old. She has panhypopituitarism. All of the hormones produced by her pituitary gland are decreased, and the condition will last her whole life.

George is a family friend who saw the daily struggles of this family first hand. He wants the world to understand this rare disorder which affects Luci. To do just that, he is going to run across the Sahara Desert.

All of the money he is raising is going to the MAGIC Foundation*. MAGIC is the premiere authority on growth disorders affecting children.

So, I have to ask you...What would you do to save a child?

Charitably yours,
Ann Marie

*MAGIC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity. All donations to MAGIC Foundation are tax deductible.


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I have enjoyed my time off since the completion of the new book. Taming the Terrible Twos: A Parents' Survival Guide was an adventure which revealed how much two-year-olds mirror, when it does not completely foretell the behavior of, teenagers.

T3, the affectionate name of the book, also took on the task of explaining some of the behaviors of older children and some colleagues. It offers tips and tricks for nutrition for picky eaters, enhancing speech, the benefits of schedules and routines, teaching responsibility, teaching second languages, the ever present need for discipline and the building of character.

The guest articles from Barbara Whitlock and editor John McDevitt gave the book interesting counterpoints. It was fun to find the wisdom of other parents who noticed the parallel between twos and teens.

The final chapter was named Parents' Successful Survival. Along with Barbara (mother of five), John (father of two and grandfather), Tina Hartley (mother of three and grandmother) and Melanie Denyer (mother of one) revealed four totally different images of how the terrible twos affect the lives of parents, siblings, grandparents and children.

Use the coupon "Facebook" to save on your copy of Taming the Terrible Twos.
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What's the catch?

In the wake of record high gasoline prices in 2008, the automakers will introduce more hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles in 2009 than any other year. Before jumping on the bandwagon, know the pros and cons.

Gas/Electric Hybrids

Hybrids have gasoline engines with electric motors. The electric motors take over during city driving, allowing the gasoline engine to run less. Select hybrids also turn off cylinders not in use to reduce fuel consumption. Less gasoline is a definite pro.

Another pro is the limited carbon emissions. By burning less gasoline, the vehicles produce far less carbon dioxide than gasoline-only vehicles.

Cons include failure to meet mileage expectations and a very large price tag at the dealer. This is a double whammy: You will pay more for the car thinking it will save more money on gas, only to find out you are spending more on gasoline than originally promised.

Diesels

Diesels have gotten a "dirty" reputation from their European makers failure to met US emissions standards. As of 2008, diesels only represented four per cent of the cars on American roads. "Why?" is a good question. They routinely get 25 to 35 per cent better mileage than gasoline vehicles.

European auto manufacturers have successfully met the US emission standards. Research into bio-fuels are now producing diesel from plant and crop based oils. Researchers say they are only a few years from a bio-diesel using chicken fat. Be on the look out for more diesel cars.

Ethanol

Many models are designed to run on ethanol blended gasoline, since it burns cleaner and increases mileage, definite pro. Con for ethanol is it takes more energy to produce than it produces when it burns.

Ethanol was originally made of corn. Burning it in cars drove the food corn price through the roof. Research into substituting switchgrass and other cellulosic biomasses are not yet feasible.

Plug-in Electrics

The majority of auto manufacturers have been testing the technology of all electric cars, with Ford and Chevrolet producing concept cars. Saturn's 2010 model is the first of the production models to be offered for public sale. A complete departure from gasoline means minimal carbon emissions, inarguable pro.

The cons include expensive batteries and long battery charging times. One long term, far-reaching con is the possibility of overloading power grids. Arguers for all-electrics claim computers can modulate charge times for off-peak hours. They are not concerned with driver need times in this argument.

Hydrogen

As one of the best alternatives to gasoline engines, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are hitting the road in California. $20 worth of hydrogen can take a driver 270 miles with its 68 mpg estimate. It only emission: Water vapor. Big pros.

Cons: Very few fueling stations, fuel-cell costs, hydrogen handling regulations and safety, and the costs of hydrogen production.

Other

India is trying an air car. BMW is researching steam power over a century after steam cars went out of production. Hydraulics researchers are making headway in making heavyweight commercial vehicles more fuel efficient in heavy traffic.

Please credit this link if you quote this blog: http://www.helium.com/items/1358590

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