Spirit of the Heart Award- Dedicated to All of You!

Yesterday Brian, the twins, and I went to Sibley Hospital in Washington D.C. to hear Dr. Neil Spector speak. He was incredible! His story is one of perseverance and hope and I was so thankful to be able to attend his lecture. He not only talked about his own battle with Lyme, which caused him to have a heart transplant, but he also discussed how his experience and research in oncology is closely related to Lyme and the treatment of the borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. It truly was fascinating! I was so happy to shake his hand and thank him for all his hard work in bringing this issue to light and his help in pushing current research forward for Lyme Disease. I was gifted his book, Gone In a Heartbeat: A Physician's Search for True Healing, by the amazing director of Harford Lyme Advocates, Janet Jensen, and started reading it immediately after the lecture yesterday. It is captivating and I highly recommend it to anyone with a chronic illness or who takes care of someone with a chronic illness. He truly is an inspiration with his will to live and his compassion as a healer.

One of the best moments of the day for me was after the presentation when I turned to see my own Lyme doctor in attendance! How wonderful is it that the man taking care of me is taking his personal time to seek further viewpoints and theories behind this tricky disease? It made my heart soar to know he is still seeking education and understanding from his colleagues even though he himself has written a book about beating Lyme Disease. Awesome.

In addition, NatCapLyme Association honored me with their Spirit of the Heart Award to recognize my work in raising awareness of and funds for Lyme Disease and other tick borne illnesses in Harford County and beyond. It is my honor and pleasure to give back by supporting research, education, and legislation for this horrible disease. I want to dedicate the Spirit of the Heart Award to everyone who has supported me in my efforts with my Ticked Off events over the last three years! I could not have done this without the undying help from family, friends, fellow artists, and patrons! We are getting the word out and making a difference! This award is for all of you! Thank you! Here are a few pictures from the event:

Dr. Neil Spector- a unique voice for the Lyme community

Monte Skall of NatCapLyme giving me the Spirit of the Heart Award

Spirit of the Heart Award from NatCapLyme

Susan Green, Esq.

Susan Green is the amazing lawyer who has helped and continues to help push through legislation to protect Lyme patients in Maryland and Virginia. She had the honor of introducing Dr. Neil Spector prior to his presentation.

One of the many slides Dr. Neil Spector had in his presentation explaining the similarities between cancer and Lyme Disease.

Dr. Neil Spector's Book

Again, thank you all for your continuing support in raising awareness and research funds for Lyme Disease.

xo

Ticked Off- Lyme Disease Awareness Event Thank Yous!

A few of the sour faces from the "Take a Bite Out of Lyme" challenge!

I am so humbled and overwhelmed by all the love and support over the past two Fridays. It has been a whirlwind of activity getting this spring show together, being the featured artist, and pull off this Lyme Disease Awareness Event. So many people stopped in, talked with our representatives from Harford Lyme Advocates, took the "Take a Bite Out of Lyme" challenge, donated money, bought art, and participated in our basket give away! It was wonderful to meet new people, hear their stories, and tell them mine. I saw old friends, new friends, strangers, and family! But most important of all is we are getting the word out about this terrible disease!

Special thank yous are due to Janet Jensen and the rest of the crew from Harford Lyme Advocates who supplied all the educational literature and expertise to answer questions about Lyme Disease.

Thank you to Arts By the Bay Gallery and Pat Fair (art director for the gallery) for letting us use the space to hold this event. Also, a very special thank you to the artists who came out to support the event including those who worked the desk.

A heartfelt thank you to Kimie Ranken, the amazing jeweler who took my vision for a Ticked Off necklace and made it a reality even better than what I dreamed. Despite a serious illness and being hospitalized, she, with the help of her wonderful husband, Bill, delivered the necklaces on time for the event even though I told them not to worry about it. Truly, they are amazing, loyal, and selfless people. As she moves forward with treatment for her medical issue, I offer prayers of healing. More about the necklaces later in the week...I still have some in stock to sell so I will be setting that up shortly!

A huge thank you to KWM Cares and everyone at Kelly Wealth Management who made a very generous flat donation to NatCapLyme Association.  Your gift was such a surprise and appreciated! It will be put to good use.

Most of all, thank you so much to my amazing family and friends. I could not have survived these past months with my sanity intact without you all. To my husband, who tirelessly worked on the framing of 43 pieces and has been by my side every step of the way cheering me on; my kids, who helped get supplies together and ready for the event, worked the room at the event, and told me I made them proud; and to my friends who despite having ten million other things better to do, still came out to support me and this event. I am truly blessed to have each of you in my life, I love you all,  and I owe you one ;)

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the patrons who bought my art! It is my dream to have people connect with my art in a way that has deep meaning for them. It was such a pleasure to meet and talk with the buyers and hear why they chose the pieces they did. I will be posting the sold items up on Facebook throughout the week. You are what makes me keep working, trying new things, and producing art.

While the Ticked Off event is over, Lyme Disease Awareness Month is not. I am still collecting donations throughout the month of May and donating a portion of the profit from the sale of my art in the month of May. So, if you were not able to make the event but would like to help people like me and so many others who suffer daily from this disease, please visit Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace where there are donation boxes until May 31. If you can't make it out to the gallery, please consider donating online using the following instructions.

1.  Go to NatCapLyme.org's donation page.
2.  Click on Fundraising Event in the tab section.
3.  In the Select Event for Fundraising dropdown menu choose the bottom one...Arts By the Bay Gallery Ticked Off Lyme Disease Awareness Event.
4.  Fill out the rest of the form and submit!

Thanks so much for any help you could give. This really is a great organization. I attend the support meetings of my local chapter and they are champions of getting the word out in Harford County and beyond.

xo

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month!

Did you all know that May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month? I am sure there are many of you out there that know but many may not. As a matter of fact, there are some of you that have no idea what Lyme Disease is. And, if you live here in Maryland, that ignorance could be deadly since we live in an endemic area for tick born illnesses. I actually encountered someone this past week who said they had never heard of it. I was shocked. I guess because my daily life revolves around it I assumed everyone who lives here would know at least that the disease existed.

My fervent prayer is that I am able to use my experience, my voice, and my art to reach as many people as possible to help and warn about this disease. It can have far reaching consequences and not only destroy lives but families as well.

Would you be so kind as to make a small donation to the non-profit organization I am passionate about, NatCapLyme Association, who raises money for Lyme Disease education, legislation, research, and patient support? I would very much appreciate it! In order to keep tabs on how much money we raise, please follow these directions to make a donation.

1.  Go to NatCapLyme.org's donation page.
2.  Click on Fundraising Event in the tab section.
3.  In the Select Event for Fundraising dropdown menu choose the bottom one...Arts By the Bay Gallery Ticked Off Lyme Disease Awareness Event.
4.  Fill out the rest of the form and submit!

Thanks so much for any help you could give. Your donation is tax deductible. This really is a great organization. I attend the support meetings of my local chapter and they are champions of getting the word out in Harford County and beyond.

Be sure to come out and see me Friday, May 5th from 6PM-9PM at Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace for the Ticked Off event. I will be showing my art, speaking about my journey through this disease, and we will also have lots of fun activities!

I truly hope you will never have this disease yourself or have a family member affected by it. But with the way the numbers are shooting ever higher and the fact that it is the fast growing vector borne infectious disease in the United States, chances are that if you don't already, you will one day have a friend or family member with it. Even the CDC can admit that. Please, wont' you consider a small donation to help?  Thank you!

xo

Dana Point Sunset- by Harford County Artist

Please click for a larger view of this scene

About this image- It is about this time of year when I start yearning for the sea. The salty water, the rhythmic waves, the cycle of water meeting land. The sun rising or setting over the horizon. There is something about returning to the very basic elements, earth, wind, water, and fire. All of those can be absorbed when standing on the shore. This panoramic was taken in California at Dana Point. If anywhere can be close to heaven on earth, this place, with its almost perfect weather, has to be it. One day I will go back and put my feet on this rock again. One day.

Things are moving along with the planning of the May 5th Ticked Off- Lyme Disease Awareness Event. I received over 50 prints yesterday from the art printer. Now starts the selection process of which ones will be hanging and which ones will be matted for the print bin. I was thrilled with how most turned out, however there are a few I'd like to have reprinted with corrections.

In addition to getting the prints in, I also am beginning to get the word out...I contacted WAMD, 970AM, a local radio station broadcasting out of Aberdeen and they have promised to announce some PSAs about the event. They told me they know several people with chronic Lyme and would be happy to help out in any way they can. Also, the event has been added to Harford's Heart calendar of events. I've handed out fliers, posted fliers in local shops and libraries, and am working on local newspapers to advertise as well. Everywhere I turn people are saying they know someone or are someone who are suffering from this terrible disease (we live in an epidemic area). It is shocking and startling that with so many people suffering it seems hardly anyone is talking about it. It's like it has a stigma or shame integrated with it. That is what I am working to remove. Education, legislation, and support, for families who are struggling through this debilitating disease.

I am excited to announce that the organization I am working to collect funds for, NatCapLyme, has added our event to their fundraising list. If you are out of town and won't be able to make the event, please consider make a monetary donation to this amazing organization! My local chapter, Harford Lyme Advocates, will directly benefit from any donations. Everything is helpful! My local group has been a lifeline for me and they have worked tirelessly to bring hope and comfort and Lyme education to our community.  Here are the directions to make sure your donation gets accounted for the May 5th Fundraiser (which will run through the month of May). **All donations are tax deductible!

1.  Visit NatCapLyme's donation page by clicking here.
2.  Under the words MAKE A DONATION click the tab that says FUNDRAISING EVENT.
3.  In the Dropdown Menu, Please scroll to ARTS BY THE BAY GALLERY TICKED OFF LYME DISEASE AWARENESS EVENT.
4.  Complete the form and submit the donation.

Thank you!  At the end of the May I will let you know how much in total we are able to collect.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

xo

It's Heartening In a Strange Way

Parkton Bridge Along the NCR Trail

Nobody knows anything. I deal with people in all walks of life, 

some of whom should have some idea of what they're doing. 

And they're all clueless. 

It's astonishing that any bridges stay up, 

or that planes don't constantly plummet from the sky. 

It's heartening, in a strange way. 

 ~Peter York

This is how I feel about Lyme disease...there are people who should have some idea of what they are doing, but they're all clueless. While I wouldn't say they are "all" clueless, it is pretty frightening how many misconceptions are out there, not just among the regular population, but among doctors as well. That's why it is so important that I use my voice and my experience to get word out to the citizens of my community that this disease is dangerous, rampant, and growing into a larger problem every single day.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and recently I had the honor of attending my local County Council meeting where they read a Proclamation declaring it as such in Harford County. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but this is a huge step in getting local government on board to not only admit there is a growing problem, but also help be part of the solution. If you'd like to see the proclamation read by the Council and received by the members of the local Lyme support group, Harford Lyme Advocates, a chapter of the National Capitol Lyme Disease Association (to whom I donated a portion of the proceeds from my solo art show in October), you can watch it here.  You can forward the video to time marker 8:48 to skip the opening business and see the Lyme portion. A loud thank you to our fearless leader, Janet Jensen, who leads our local chapter with her unrelenting, kind, energetic spirit.

Since my solo show in October, Janet has kept me informed of how the money raised has been used to advocate for Lyme awareness and Lyme patients.

What is going on at the local level:

4 Lyme education awareness tables at public health fairs
Supported work to pass the Maryland Lyme disease bill (2016)
Increased the number of support group meetings to monthly (meet 3rd Thurs each month, 6-, Upper Chesapeake Medical Ctr)
Provided Lyme education materials to local medical offices

What is happening at the national level via NatCapLyme HQ:

Completed work on the K-12 curriculum-  It's ready for public use.
Updated, revised education content in the  website, including updated formatting
Passed legislation in Maryland and Virginia requiring medical providers to give lab report of Lyme testing to patients and disclaimer that testing may not be reliable enough to rule out the disease.
Funded Lyme research conducted by JHU Dr. Zhang and Dr. Aucott.  

So much great work is being completed and pushed forward by an amazing group of people in this county and in the wider Maryland/DC/Virginia area. A hearty thank you to every single person who lives and breathes each day to bring Lyme awareness and fight to see the disease eradicated.

In celebration of Lyme Disease Awareness month, I will donate a portion of the profits from any art sales in the month of May to the National Capital Lyme Disease Association so that I may do my part in helping to keep this never-ending work pushing forward. Thank you in advance to anyone who sees fit to either donate or purchase art this month! You can make a donation here or you can contact me about purchasing art via my email form in the sidebar.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to explore my Living With Lyme link here on the blog, or to contact me via the email form in the sidebar. I will do what I can to help get you information!

xo