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Symbols of Love!

From Kate:

For many people, tattoos are very personal. Immense time and effort goes into just the right message, image, and/or symbolism to add to one’s body. Perhaps in tribute, to honor, a message of hope, a way to celebrate, a way to grieve, a way to remember, a way to show love.

I have always been fascinated with tattoos. The question for me has always been why and what is the story behind a particular tattoo? More times than not, it is a story of triumph, an act of love, a memory to cherish, a way to show respect, a way to express non-verbally and permanently.

When Getty was dx I decided early on that I wanted to show my love for her and selfishly a way to keep her right next to me with a tattoo. The first owl tattoo is strategically on the inside of my arm, so it sits softly again my heart. As she hits a new milestone of birthday’s, I add another owl to my arm. It is my way of documenting her growth as a human being and documenting all of our memories together as a family.

In honor of SMA Awareness month, I wanted to do something different this year. I wanted to show the outside world a virtual wall of tattoos that show symbols of love.

I asked the SMA community to send me a picture of their tattoo(s) in honor of their children. Every single tattoo has a story. Every single tattoo is beautiful in their own way. Mothers, fathers, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, friends, brothers, sisters, etc. have all participated.

You see SMA does not just affect the immediate family. SMA affects everyone involved in all different kinds of ways. Sometimes in order to honor someone, this is the strongest way they know how to show that love.

I want to thank each and everyone who offered their picture(s). It was difficult putting this collage together. Looking at tattoos that are in commemoration of a loved one that has passed due to SMA was very hard to look at. They are all beautiful, and it is a reminder to me to make sure I take every single moment with Getty with such purpose, because no one can determine what life has in store.

Getty is three and a half now and I am currently working on what my fourth owl will be. I told her when I got my first owl that I will continue to receive tattoos of owls even when she is well into her 70’s. That is a lot of owls folks. I will gladly take on the title of “Owl Lady” with pride.

26
Aug
2013

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The Summer of Good Times

From Kate:

This summer has been a blast and there is still a little bit of August left. Without a doubt, we have been able to get out much more then we ever have. I think it has a lot to do with being more comfortable traveling with Getty, but mostly I think it is because Getty is getting older. She is almost three and a half years old (OMG!) and we know that she is even more curious and excited about the world around her.

We were really hoping to travel farther and longer this summer, but it just didn’t work out. So to still be active, we have tried to do local activities as much as we can.

We really want to thank everyone that help support two events this August that helped raise funds for Getty Owl Foundation.

SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS

It was a beautiful night on August 3rd. Thank you to the over 60 people that bought tickets to support Getty Owl Foundation. The temperature was terrific and let’s be honest, the beer and hotdogs weren’t bad either.

Thank you to the River Cats and their continued support for Getty Owl. They have always been terrific and we look forward to seeing Dinger at our 3rd Annual Getty Owl Run/Walk next February 24th.

SMA CANDLE LIGHTING

The second Saturday of August is SMA awareness month’s candle lighting night. We light candles for all of our SMA Warriors and all of our SMA Angels. It is night that for our community we come together and honor all affected by SMA.

8th ANNUAL GUAC OFF

This past Saturday night the best guacamole chefs came out to compete against each other to win the coveted gold metal avocado. We would like to thank Kelsey for choosing Getty Owl Foundation as the event charity.

We were able to spread SMA awareness and the event also raised funds to support GOF. Mark even got to be on Good Day Sacramento the morning of to plug Getty Owl Foundation. Not too shabby. We had a great time that night.

Let’s see what else? I want to do separate blog posts on several incredible topics that I have been biting at the bit, but waiting for the right time.

-Symbols of love

-Power Chair Training

-Pre-school

-VGo

-You make me smile

-Getty’s Diet

-The Slide

You see, lots of fun stuff and milestones that continue to astound us. Stay tuned!

22
Aug
2013

Living Well Talk Radio – SMA Awareness!

Form Mark:

Suzanne Strisower and Kathleen O’Keefe Kanavos were very kind and generous to have me on The Doctor’s Inn on Living Well Talk Radio to raise SMA awareness! This is a wonderful broadcast!

The Doctor’s Inn provides cutting edge interviews with doctors, chiropractors, naturopaths, healers, and others who share their perspectives on health and well being. I appeared on the show where we engaged in a thoughful and in-depth program about the ins and outs of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Where does SMA come from?
How does it affect people?
What can be done?

August is SMA Awareness Month, and we are getting the word out with plenty of help from very caring and exciting people.

Suzanne & Kat, thank you for dedicating such a generous part of your show to SMA Awareness and Getty Owl Foundation. Together, we can help improve the lives of those affected by SMA and find a cure.

Special thanks to Rebecca McNeff Matney for making it all happen! Rebecca is grammy to Ember, who has SMA Type 1. See Ember’s Fight Against SMA on Facebook.