I'm back, again :)

Everytime I hear those words "I'm back", somewhere in the back of my brain I remember hearing those words...ominously. LOL, 

Well I have had a real roller coaster of a ride since I last posted (way back in March)  I have held several fundraisers and they were quite good but not good enough.  I am $2169.00 short of my 75% goal of $6000.00.  To continue my journey of raising dollars for the Arthritis Society I am having to personally pay the shortfall.  My goal is $8000.00 so I still have an additional $2000.00 to raise to reach my ultimate goal.  I will continue to work diligently toward raising the funds and hopefully it won't be necessary for me to pay the additional $2000.00

I don't put much stock in rumours but individuals in my community have been talking, and wondering about the money I raise.  Some have come right out and asked me if the money I raise is going into my pocket.  (I thank those individuals for being honest and truthful about their questions)  My response is this: I am raising funds for the Arthritis Society, I am a registered participant with the Joints In Motion Ontario Division, just like individuals who get sponsors for skate a thons, walk a thons or bike a thons, I am fundraising and accepting sponsorships but instead of doing a 20km walk or a 30km bike ride I am trekking for 6 days for a total of approximately 120kms.  Every cent I have raised goes to the Arthritis Society and if you wish to see what I have raised you can visit my fundraising page at http://arthritis.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=2152&mid=9&pid=762930

Another question I am asked is why would I want to raise funds for the Arthritis Society, is it all about the "Free Trip"?  I guess people don't understand the enormous amount of time and personal contributions I have dedicated to my "cause"  I chose to raise funds for the arthritis society because it is a non profit group that works to find the cure for arthritis, offers programs to control arthritis and supports people who suffer from it.  

The TREK to ICELAND is not a free trip, not only am I dedicating all my time and energy to it but I am also training for it.  Training is not easy when I am in a flare up.  If you've read my earlier blogs you will know I live with pain on a daily basis the only thing that changes about the pain is the degree to which it appears.  My last appointment with the specialist showed 11/18 joints were active meaning I am in a flare up.  Training with swollen joints that aren't flexible is difficult add the pain and even I question why I have chosen to do this.

I chose to do this, to prove to myself that having arthritis does not mean the end, that I can still my life to the fullest, that some way, somehow maybe the funds I raise will be the dollars that find the cure to ensure me and millions like me will wake up each morning for the rest of our lives pain free with no symptoms, that we'll be able to sleep through the night and never have to worry about a sleepless night due to arthrits again.

I'm back!

So much has happened since my last post.  I guess having a blog means making time to blog!  There's a joke in my family about Art, mom, dad or I will greet each other and ask how Art is doing or if he has been around lately.  If you haven't guessed who Art is.....its Arthritis.  Both my parents suffer from one form or another and lately I've come to see some signs in my 17 year old daughter.  I hope I am wrong.

February and March passed with varying levels of pain, trying different methods of pain control without the use of medications.  On my reserve Arthritis suffers have been targets in the past for break and enters.  Young people looking for a quick high think Arthritis suffers will have narcotics or medications that will give them that feeling they are seeking.  There is also an Island wide medical professional agreement to limit the amount of narcotics prescribed to the individuals, unfortunately this has made it difficult for chronic pain suffers to find quick relief from pain.  I don't condone the use of narcotics but at the same time I know how great the need is to be pain free especially when it hurts to wear clothing or having anything touch your joints.

Training for my trip to Iceland begin March Break approximatley 7 weeks ago  below is my training schedule for the entire 16 weeks.

Week Sunday Monday Tuesday Thursday Saturday

1 4 km walk 4 flights 4 km walk 5 km walk 6 flights

2 6 km walk 5 flights 4 km walk 5 km walk 7 flights

3 8 km walk 6 flights 5 km walk 5 km walk 8 flights

4 3km walk extra day off 3 km walk 3 km walk 3 flights

5 9 km walk 7 flights 4 km walk 4 km walk 10 flights

6 10 km walk 8 flights 5 km walk 5 km walk 12 flights

7 11 km walk 9 flights 6 km walk 6 km walk 14 flights

8 4 km walk extra day off 3 km walk 3 km walk 6 flights

9 12 km walk 10 flights 5 km walk 5 km walk 17 flights

10 13 km walk 11 flights 6 km walk 6 km walk 20 flights

11 14 km walk 12 flights 7 km walk 7 km walk 24 flights

12 5 km walk extra day off 4 km walk 4 km walk 10 flights

13 15 km walk 13 flights 12 km walk 6 km walk 27 flights

14 16 km walk 15 flights 13 km walk 7 km walk 30 flights

15 18 km walk 17 flights 14 km walk 8 km walk 33 flights

16 20 km walk extra day off 5 km walk Travel Day Iceland

wave if you see me!

Beginner Schedule