Week 12: Persistence...Supreme Effort of Will

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Update!  Elise has currently raised 79%        $5,935.00

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"Failure is only postponed success as long as courage 'coaches' ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory. "

Herbert Kaufman

Tim Cork and Elise

    On Thursday March 24, 2011, Tim Cork (Canada's Networking Guru) spoke about how to "Achieve Straight A's In Life" in support of The Arthritis Society. Tim uses his name as an acronym for his purpose in life which is to Touch, Inspire and Move people.

    "Most people tap very little of their natural potential, leaving many strengths underdeveloped and under-utilized and many opportunities unrealized. If you’re like most people, your greatest talents will remain below the surface, like an iceberg with 90% of its mass under water. Yet this is what must be tapped if you are to realize all the possibilities of your own life.

Straight A students

   "Tim's philosophy has helped me strive towards transitioning my dreams into reality. He has helped me persist through my fears and failures towards my effort to fight arthritis." - Elise

    The question is, how are you going to tap all that strength and potential to achieve your success? I believe  the answer is through the Straight A’s of Attitude, Aptitude, and Action. It is not a matter of understanding or perfecting any one of the Three A’s; it is about practicing and excelling in all three of them in your everyday life. When you have all Three A’s in synch, you will have mastered the formula for success. This book is your guide and coach, providing you with a timeless blueprint for learning and living the Straight A’s approach to life. "    -Tim Cork   

Learn more at www.timcork.com

Week 11: Attitude Makes A Difference

Elise

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult undertaking which, more than anything else, will determine its successful outcome.” - William James

   

Three workers at a construction site were asked how they spent their days.

The first said, “I’m making a living.”

The second said, “I’m cutting stone.”

The third said, “I’m building a cathedral.”

We all perceive things differently, and perception can create a strong attitude.

 

 

You choose your attitude every day.

      You decide the level of contribution you put into your work, and then act accordingly. The more of your heart and soul you pour into your work, the more benefits you will reap. A positive attitude breeds positive feelings. 

(Tim Cork, Choose Your Attitude)

Kathryn Whaley is my Joint's In Motion teammate. Her goal is to walk half a marathon in The Great Wall Marathon to "Fight Arthritis". Kathryn fights arthritis on a daily basis. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis (JA) at the tender age of 3.

"The advantage of having being diagnosed at a young age, I've never really known any different."

Kathryn

    JA is a chronic childhood form rheumatoid arthritis, a continuous inflammation of one or more joints lasting at least six weeks for which no other cause can be found. JA stops the body’s immune system from working properly; the immune system fails to recognize healthy body tissue and attacks it. 

   "My disease acts like an early warning system, if I don't take care of myself (lack of exercise or sleep, too much stress or exercise, imbalances of any kind) my body says PAY ATTENTION or I'll slow you down and MAKE you notice." 

    Kathryn has an attitude of gratitude."Remembering to be grateful for what I have, not what I don't.  Even with arthritis, I can say, I'm grateful that when my disease acts up, it slows me down but it doesn't stop my thinking, breathing, or my heart from beating and for that I am grateful."

•  JA is one of the most common chronic diseases among children in Canada, affecting one in 1,000 boys and girls under the age of 16. 

•  The Public Health Agency of Canada’s 2010 Life with Arthritis in Canada report listed 55,777 Canadians aged 15-24 as diagnosed with arthritis.

     Kathryn is a positive role model for children affected by arthritis. Her attitude has lead her to conquer The Great Wall of China!  Visit Kathryn's Blog!


     Today, there is no cure for JA, but an effective treatment plan –medication, physiotherapy, physical activity and rest –controls pain and helps to prevent permanent joint damage. With the guidance of a health-care team and the support of family members, a child with arthritis can lead an active and productive life.

Week 10: Marathon of Hope

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” - Dale Carnegie 

Terry Fox - Marathon of Hope

“I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to.”  - Terry Fox 

 

Hope: the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life

     I participated in the 12th Annual St.Patrick's Day run at the Steam Whistle Brewing in support of Achilles Canada "Running Beyond Disability". This non-profit organization provides people with various disabilities an opportunity to receive the physical, psychological, and communal benefits of running. 

Team Blind Guy carried a canoe 5K

    The run/walk consisted of people with all disabilities such as visual, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, arthritis, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, amputation, cystic fibrosis, or those who suffer from stroke, cancer, traumatic head injury, and many others. Some runners participated in wheelchairs, on prostheses, and without aid.

Getting pumped before the run

      The run started at 10:15am, however with the Day Light Savings Time it felt like 9:15am. As I went to pick up my shirt and time chip, I passed by an array of runners dressed in funky green outfits, including older men wearing green tutus. I could feel the excitement in the air from all of the participants as we waited to start the run. My heart was pounding, my feet were prancing and I was ready to take off!

   I was inspired to run with people who have various disabilities, especially the visually impaired. It is truly amazing to see people overcome their own personal challenges and push themselves to reach for the stars. The participants with disabilities who ran or walked 5K are an excellent example of hope. They have belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in their life.

Week 9: Courage, is it in you?

“Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential” 

Winston Churchill 

I ran 10.2 km in the snow with fellow team member David

 
     I started training outdoors last week and covered 6 km in my first run. This week I increased the distance to 10 km and reached my goal in 1hr 25 mins.

     During the 8 km mark, my body felt the increase in challenge from the run and my legs were wondering what I was putting them through. I thought to myself  "If I already achieved 80% of my goal, I can't give up!". I did not feel pain or discomfort while running, but my energy level felt depleted.

     I kept reminding myself that I was too close to my goal to give up. I am running for those who have discomfort with movement. I am running to help fight arthritis. Over 4 million Canadians who suffer from arthritis are faced physical battles on a daily basis.  

Arthritis patients inspire me because they have courage!  

Courage:

The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.