There are things in life you can control and then there are things in life you cannot control. The one thing I believe though is never to give up trying to solve what you cannot control. The one thing about an advocate is that is the mindset. You keep pushing to make things happen. You become the warrior in battle. You accept no defeat. You are the voice, the drive, the push to make things happen. I have been part of the Regular’s for three years. The day I was asked by Enzo was the day I committed myself to his project and to the meaning behind it. The physical part of the project is tough and raising awareness and money can be even tougher. I’ve placed myself amongst a group of extraordinary individuals in the Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s community. I began listening to all of there stories. Becoming very close with many of them. Just one year ago I met Jen, our producer of the documentary 10 mountains 10 years, which is based on The Regular’s. We instantly connected. Two like minds. Closest of friends. From the very beginning we were unsure of the impact the project would make on our lives. We would often say how hard it was to wrap our heads around it all. It still continues to be that way because it is something that is forever changing. New people come into our lives. New connections with others that support our team. New reasons to push the envelope in drawing more awareness and more funds.
It becomes apparent how important the role has become. I am sitting in a plane right now, with my son David to my left, heading to Tennessee to represent the Regular’s at a meeting with a Parkinson’s support group and a representative from the Alzheimer’s Association to meet me and to speak on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association. When first approached the initial reaction was shock. Why me? But, why not me? The wonderful woman who invited me, Judy Hensley, wanted me to come and tell my story. I love to write and I would hope to believe one day I will publish my memoir’s of this experience with the Regular’s. But reality has hit and I journey out for the first time in my life to tell “my story”. I couldn’t be more honored to be doing this. I guess I shouldn’t speak too soon. I’m not even there yet and maybe I will forget everything and Judy will have to get up to sing and dance. But I honestly feel I have finally found my voice. I do want to tell my story and try to inspire others to help. If we all join together as one it is possible now to take control of those things in our life we feel we have no control over. I can begin or end this but one thing remains strong, “Together is One” and Enzo, our captain, penned it, believes it, and everyday works towards it. So I am Tennessee bound to represent. I keep my son David close, allowing him to see his mom in action and to go back and tell his brother’s and his dad about the experience. Others may think it’s brave of me to be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro this July but my brave side has to come out in Tennessee so I can stand and represent this group of altruistic individuals in a way that will touch many people’s hearts and lives. I may be telling my story but without the Regular’s there would be no story for me.
I want to take this time to thank Judy and her family for having my son and I in there home and for the Parkinson’s Support group and the Alzheimer’s Association for giving me this opportunity to speak on the behalf of the Regular’s. I would also like to thank Jane Byron, the mayor of there town, for taking the time to come out and speak and meet with me. And of course Enzo Simone, the captain of the Regular’s, the man behind the 10 mountains 10 years project, for believing in me. And to all of my teammates who I will be venturing out with on June 28th with to the roof of Africa. And to all of my family and friends who support and stand by me and understand the importance of what I am doing.
World Up,
Strong Feather aka Eileen
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About Me
- The Regulars
- My Team has begun to mount what may very well become the grandest, most physically demanding, and exciting campaign to get the word out, and promote the need for two cures. We will climb 10 mountains in 10 years and by virtue of our efforts, raise general awareness for Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. In 2006 we began our epic on the highest peak in continental Europe Mont Blanc. Collectively our route around the globe from Mont Blanc to Everest 2015 will be named “A Trail Called Hope". Our expeditions will be in honor of the families who are directly impacted, the people who provide services to those affected, and those who battle to find a cure. THIS BLOG will ultimately describe how regular people (like you and I) can decide to make a positive impact on the world around us. How, without a guide book to show us the way... one can mix a normal every day life of work, and family with a challenging, unexplored, yet personally rewarding life of charity & advocacy.
1 comment:
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