Crohn's Disease Relief

Inspiration from an unlikely source: Brag, Desire, Gratitude (BDG Game)

I was listening to the radio on the way to work this morning to the top 40 chat radio show that I usually enjoy listening to.  They were interviewing the pop singer Pink, who is a pretty interesting person.

She said something that sparked my interest right at the end of the interview: she mentioned that she and her team of co-workers get along really well and one of the things they do while working is play a game they call BDG.  That stands for Brag, Desire, Gratitude and it seems they go around the room and each share one brag, one wish or desire, and one thing they are grateful for.

As a blogger this was instantly fascinating to me.  I think I subconsciously do this in my blogging already,but I like the idea of formalizing the process and making it mindful.  I googled the worlds and came up with a great Yoga blog that talks a bit about using this process as a blogging tool as well.

As a person with a chronic disease, its more important than ever to remember to keep our goals in sight, remind ourselves of what we have accomplished, and to be thankful for the good things life has brought us.  Even if our desire is just for a peaceful day, our brag is for keeping a positive attitude in the face of adversity, and our gratitude is for a nice heating pad and rest at the end of a hard day.

GOT GUTS? Get a bracelet to raise funds for the CCFA.

Click Here For The Website that Sells Got Guts Bracelets Benefiting the CCFA

I do not sell these, and my "donate link" is to donate to the upkeep costs of this blog, not to order Got Guts bracelets.  (Some people seem to be getting confused so I want to make sure this is very clear)

I have had a lot of communication with the lady that runs this site and I can tell you that she does a fantastic job and everyone gets their bracelets.

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MariahFund.org is fund raising for the CCFA by selling cute GOT GUTS? bracelets.  I think these are super cute blue and I like the GOT GUTS slogan.  I think these should be in all of our Christmas stockings and Hanukkah Gelt bags this year.

To quote from the site:

We are giving A full 100% of the monies collected from the sale of the bracelets-less the bracelet costs back to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation in Mariah's name to aid in finding a cure. This has given Mariah something to focus on as we try to find the right medications to help her lead a normal life. "Got Guts" bracelets are $5.75 First class mail shipping is included.

If you don't feel comfortable donating via Paypal they list their bank's information to donate directly via the bank.  I like that they have included all of their information so I feel that they are legit.

$10,000 a touchdown

It's time to root for Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback David Garrard.  As the "In the Zone for Crohn's" Campaign Centocor, Inc. is donating $10,000 for every touchdown Garrard Scores in 2008 to the
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America - CCFA.

I already have my Garrard signed Rookie card and Rookie Ball and Jersey card (card below is not mine just one I found on the net - sorry for blatant image borrowing) that I bought in Ebay all set up on my desk to help me root for my new hero.  As  I said before, if Garrard can get out there and risk getting smooshed my 300 pound linebackers, I think I can manage to wake up in the morning and manager a couple of email servers.  He gives me inspiration.  From interviews I have read he is also a nice guy, a family man who credits his mom for giving him strong values.  I like him.

Week One Counter

 

Unsolicited Advice

I came across an interesting "angry rant" type blog post that is worth perusing if you are in the mood.  Since its raining here in Atlanta and I am not in the greatest mood, it was perfect for me this morning. 

The blog is called "I have Crohn’s Disease. Yes, I am pissed off about it." and the subtitle is Crohn’s Disease is not polite and neither is this blog. Get over it.  That in and of itself is pretty fiesty!

Here is the post called Unsolicited Advice.  One quote I really liked was this one:

"When someone you know tells you that they have CD… or UC… or any other chronic condition, they do not need to hear your unsolicited quasi-medical advice.  Thy do not need to hear that they caused their own condition because they ate wrong, drank wrong or lived wrong.  They do not need your “guaranteed miracle cure.”  They need support.  They need a little understanding when they are late or can’t make a commitment because their disease is in full swing.  They need someone in their life who doesn’t freak out when their disease makes them something other than “normal.”  They need someone in their life who wants to see other people made more aware of their disease."

Nice rant. I would appreciate someone even knowing what Crohn's is. Of course I hardly knew what it was before I was diagnosed so I can't really blame people for not having any awareness.

I do get really pissed off with the wonder cures on the Internet though. People really seem to want to take advantage of other people to sell a book and make a .52 cent commission. Pretty cheesy.

You are very correct that a diet that works for one person may not work for another.  There is no cure - YET.  Lets all donate some bucks to the CCFA and help make a cure happen.

New York Times - Voices of Crohn's Disease

Check out this wonderful feature from the New York Times Health section "Voices of Crohn's Disease."  Featuring photos, words, and audio of real people with Crohn's it is a great cross section of different ages and situations of people with different symptoms, lifestyles, treatments, etc.

A great piece of journalism.  Well worth checking out.  Great balanced reporting and a place for people to add their comments and experience with the disease.