Leeza's Place

Hey there everyone,

As you all know this years team is working to help the Alzheimer's Association, Michael J. Fox Foundation (Team Fox), Leeza Gibbon's Memory Foundation & Focus on a Cure to raise awareness to conquer Alzheimer's Disease & Parkinson's Disease.

We're all certainly doing our part to shed light on these diseases, and we're all doing it in different & unique ways.

Leeza's Place has been very kind to become a part of the 10 Mountains - 10 Years story. And Leeza is even going to be filming the introduction to the 10 Mountains 10 Years film. We're all so excited to finally see the first chapter of this epic out in theaters with you all.

Anyway this is just a quick note to say check out Leeza's website and her page for "the Regulars"!

Here's the link:
http://leezasplace.org/climbers.html


World up,
Enzo

Team Fox...Together is ONE

To all my fellow Team Fox members, I have an idea for you.

What a tangled but beautiful web we seem to weave. We never know where we will eventually meet our comrades in arms (so to speak), or who will stick together in this web we call life.

With that being said, I’d like to talk about raising awareness and funds to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease, but not as individuals. I’d like to talk about looking at ourselves not as islands alone in the world, but as continents of people united by a common cause to conquer Parkinson’s Disease. Together we can do this, but the key word is “Together”.

Team Fox team mates don’t always have to stand alone in their efforts to conquer Parkinson’s Disease. Now, maybe it’s just the way I’ve been brought up having a Sicilian family background which is hugely based on solidarity, but I’ve always felt that there is more strength in numbers than there is in being alone.
As some of you might know, ever since I first started my little effort called “10 Mountains - 10 Years (A Quest for the Cure)” in 2006, our team motto has always been “Together is ONE”.

I honestly believe that through time people have come to understand exactly what my team means when we say “Together is ONE”. They’ve been attracted to the light of comradery and altruistically becoming part of a collective team like Team Fox or part of my team the Regulars. Above and beyond all else, the goal is finding a cure, and if our efforts will be more successful by working together with others in our areas who have common goals, then we should find those people, form our teams, and conquer Parkinson's Disease together.

The idea I’d like to propose to all my fellow Team Fox members:

Look around you, find the other people in your own areas (maybe the same city, same county, or a tri-county area).

Design a big event as a team - which would normally be hard to orchestrate while acting individually.

There’s magic in the effort. There’s strength in the unity of people. There’s energy in exchanging ideas and turning them into reality. I honestly believe you’ll grow, learn, bond and find massive success in working together under our common cause. It’s also a great feeling to know that there is someone out there trying just like you, and it’s even nicer when you’re both trying together.

“Together is ONE”

I’ve been pretty lucky to have great people, real grass roots advocates just like you and I (just like “us”), look into my project and say maybe I can give you a hand with that. I can always use help. I would never consider myself a master at anything but knowing how to see through the eyes of a student. In all truth, my eyes are always wide open to the fantastically kind hearted enlightening people around me. These are my fellow expedition team mates in “the Regulars”, and they are also the fellow Team Fox team mates who freely exchange thoughts and ideas with me. These are the people around me who constantly show me that there are ways to improve on any idea I might have in ways I never considered. They have always shed light on a path which I once thought lead to something good and instead joined me on a journey down a road to something greater.

When I designed my project to span a decade I did so with just that in mind. I knew that if I designed a project as a one day, one shot, one time, one mountain effort I simply wouldn’t have the opportunity to attract like minded people to help with our battle against Parkinson’s Disease. So, the solution for me was to create a bigger, higher, harder, longer project. I would eventually draw the project out to become a decade long instead of a one time effort. Creating an annual event gave me the opportunity to learn from mistakes I would make, and would give me the time to learn and improve upon my effort through each coming year. As it turned out, the year following my first event people remembered my project, and were more willing to help me with it the second year round, and so on through time.

In the case of “the Regulars” and our 10 Mountains - 10 Years (A Quest for the Cure) project, we’ve crossed paths with and attracted other Team Fox members through time. I believe you can do the same with the Team Fox members around you!

Team Fox is all around you.

I met Ken Glowienke (Focus on a Cure) on Myspace then officially met in person at a Team Fox MVP dinner in NY. Knowing how much effort Ken puts into his projects and reading about him on line made the meeting with him at the Team Fox dinner feel like meeting a rock star, because he was already larger than life in my eyes. Even though Ken lives in Illinois, we always supported each other’s efforts in any way we could across the miles via internet. Interestingly, now Ken has become a part of the 10 Mountains - 10 Years story through the feature film documentary by Back Light Productions. Ken very kindly volunteered to have his entire Deep Brain Stimulation surgery filmed as a portion of the movie. This includes his entire process before, during, and after the operation. He like "the Regulars" want to show people that they could and should be proactive about raising awareness for this cause and further they can be proactive in finding better treatments for themselves.

It’s also funny to note that Thomas Sabourin (T-Run) was at the same Team Fox Dinner during which I met Ken Glowienke although we didn’t meet that night. I came across Tom (who lives in Wisconsin) officially on MySpace and saw that he was involved in Team Fox. I could see from photos that he was in great condition and that he had a background in mountaineering also, so I asked him if he would like to join up with the Regulars. Flash forward a year or so to now and he’s getting ready to fly to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with us. I still haven't met him personally but he got a chance to meet my team mate Eric Buzzetto (Gladiator) at the Team Fox MVP dinner this year, and another team mate named Eileen Colon at the Parkinson’s Unity Walk in Central Park.

Nadyne Perlin who is from New Jersey (we call her Giant) ran in the New York City Marathon for Team Fox in 2007 found “the Regulars” on MySpace. She wrote me to say her dad struggles with Parkinson’s and she wants to continue her efforts with Team Fox by climbing Kilimanjaro with “the Regulars”.

Then I believe there is an outer circle to the advocates and volunteers for Team Fox which we seldom hear about but I see them out there in action all the time. These are the people who quite privately and out of the spotlight do everything possible to help and support those who are officially are Team Fox members. This describes New Jersey’s own Eileen (Strong Feather) Colon. She was a MySpace friend of Ken Glowienke and was extremely moved and inspired by his efforts to conquer Parkinson’s Disease. Through Ken she was introduced to me and we officially met at one of the Parkinson’s Unity Walks in NYC. To make her very dynamic and long story short Eileen has become really well known on both MySpace and Facebook as a person with lots of ideas, support, love and deep compassion for those struggling with Parkinson’s Disease. Eileen has even gone so far as to drive in one long shot epic to the exact middle of the United States (Kansas) from her home in New Jersey (a 26 hour trip each way) just to spend 2 hours visiting her friend Mary who suffers with Parkinsons' Disease. Also, this past May, she also traveled to speak in front of a Parkinson’s Disease caregivers meeting in Tennessee. Eileen is 52 years old, and even in the face of prior medical concerns about her heart she joined "the Regulars" to climb Mount Hood in 2008 and is now back for more with us to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in July 2009. Coincidentally, she has now officially become a Team Fox member.

Then there are the chance meetings which bring people together. Last year on Mount Hood while we were there climbing our third mountain in the series of ten charity mountain climbs. Our team was shattered and demoralized by bad weather on a first attempt on the mountain. In fact they closed the mountains down entirely due to positively evil weather and lightning storms. We had evacuated and gone back to Portland to wait it out, but tucked away high up on Mount Hood was Lori Saviers (from Ohio). She and a friend had found a spot to ride out the weather unnoticed by the park officials and unharmed by the weather. A few days later out of my team of 10 people, 3 went back to try climbing in a second attempt, and 2 made it to the summit of Mount Hood with our team flag, one of which was Troy Parker who personally suffers with Parkinson’s Disease. Troy and my team mate Brett were trying to take photos of themselves on the summit when across the narrow ridge walked Lori Saviers to help them. She grabbed their camera and snapped a few photos then listened to Troy describe how he had Parkinson’s Disease and had become part of “the Regulars” to help raise awareness for this disease. She was so taken by having seen Troy earlier struggling on the slopes below, then finding them on the summit only to hear that Troy climbed all that way with battling with Parkinson’s and was immediately inspired to join “the Regulars” on our next effort. Although Troy is not on the Kilimanjaro 2009 Team Lori Saviers (Premonition) has vowed take the message to the top of Kilimanjaro.

So, in a nut shell I thought it would be nice to let my fellow Team Fox team mates know that we have all been out there doing what we can on our own, but this year look around you and get to know the other Team Fox members living in your areas. Join forces and create big, beautiful, fantastic and inspiring events together. The world is your oyster, the ideas are endless. You don't have to climb mountains in order to take your message to the people, you just need to connect with them. In this army of change our battle is to conquer Parkinson's. Your weapons of choice just may be ideas & inspiration. Aim for the heart and let your arrows fly.

We can do this together. Believe in yourself. Believe in "us" and try.
The success in your results could be larger than life.

World up,
Enzo Simone
www.theRegulars.org
10 Mountains - 10 Years (A Quest for the Cure).


The key Team Fox members in the above (some pages may be out of date):

Vincent Roland Simone (aka Enzo)
http://www.teamfox.org/siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=nrLXJ0PFKuG&b=4815191&sid=ahJPJ0NGJhJMJXNzGmE

Ken Glowienke
http://www.focusonacure.org/

Thomas Sabourin:
http://www.teamfox.org/siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=nrLXJ0PFKuG&b=4815191&sid=dtIOL3OPLgJPI8MQLsH

Eileen Colon:
http://www.teamfox.org/siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=nrLXJ0PFKuG&b=4815191&sid=ivL0LhPYKlKVLeN3LxG

Lori Saviers:
http://www.teamfox.org/siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=nrLXJ0PFKuG&b=4815191&sid=bfLPJUMxHgKFISOwElG

Nadyne Perlin:
http://www.teamfox.org/siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=nrLXJ0PFKuG&b=4815191&sid=gsJTJ1NEKcJTK8NJKpG

and
Eric Buzzetto

Here's a link to one of my quick home video music clips, to show you just how big our army of change can be if we all fight for these cures together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAzIsMElpnQ

Representing

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

Hey Tennessee: If you happen to be in the neighborhood...

The Northeast TN Parkinson’s Disease Support Group

invites you to a special PD support group meeting

to hear and meet..


Eileen “Strong Feather” Colon

of Hamilton, New Jersey,


who will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in July 2009

as a member of ‘The Regulars’

--a group of regular people committed to climbing a mountain a year to bring awareness to

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases


Saturday, May 23 6:00-7:30 pm

MSHA Health Resources Annex Classroom,

Johnson City Mall


Eileen will discuss her involvement in a special group making a difference for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases by climbing mountains on a journey called ‘10 Mountains in 10 Years- A Quest for the Cure‘.

The Regulars (www.theRegulars.org) are an inspiring group of people with a mission of bringing together regular people to make a difference toward a cure for Parkinson‘s and Alzheimer‘s diseases!


Eileen Colon (nicknamed “Strong Feather” by her climbing mates) is a 51 year old wife and mother who has been involved in numerous charity awareness activities such as the MS walk and the Susan G. Koman 3 day Cancer walk. She is a second degree black belt in Teakwondo and climbed Mt. Hood and Mt. Washington last year in her first climbs with The Regulars. She blogs about her mission with the Regulars at www.10mountains10years.blogspot.com. She will climb with team leader Enzo Simone and 9 others up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa in early July 2009.


Come hear this inspiring woman tell how people like me and you can make a difference! For more information call Judy Hensley 423-773-2244 or the Health Resources Center 423-915-5200.

The Coat to Go International and Up A Mountain

This note is from Judy Good Hensley who will be handing me off Da' Coat when I go to visit here this month as I represent The Regulars in Tennessee. You can read more about Judy and her friend Sherri Woodbridge on www.parkinsonsjourney.com
Truly amazing!!!

Eileen




The Coat to Go International and Up A Mountain

Recently, I was reading about an incredible group of people called the Regulars http://theregulars.org/ who are climbing a mountain a year for 10 year to help raise awareness and funds for cures for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. I contacted one of the people on facebook who will be participating this year as the group climbs Mt. Kilimangaro in Africa in early July. And it didn’t take me long to ask my new mountain climbing facebook friend, Strong Feather (Eileen Colon) if she would do me the favor of carrying a piece of the coat along with an orange string and a Parkinson’s symbol pin with her up the mountain and take a picture with these items on the mountain with her. Upon hearing about ‘da coat, she asked how much it weighed and then told me to my great surprise that she wanted to take the coat with her if possible!!! So ‘da coat is going international. I mean, since I’ve been diagnosed with PD, I’ve been to several new places but none international (not yet, anyway) and ‘da coat is getting some travel time. It is my hope that ‘da coat is a symbol of how life with a chronic illness can still be a life that provides nuggets of happiness, in many different times, places, things, and people!

Judy Good Hensley

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Ticket Sale Information

Tickets are now available to purchase for "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" Event that I will be hosting June 18th at the new Hamilton Manor in Hamilton, NJ. Click on the button to direct you to the desired charity to purchase a ticket. 100% of ticket proceeds will go to said charity. Thank you for your support of "The Regulars".

World Up,
Strong Feather aka Eileen




The Alzheimer's Association

Online event registration

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's

Online event registration

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Fundraising Event for The Regulars

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Fundraising Event for The Regulars

Hosted by:
Strong Feather - A Trail Called Hope IV

When:
Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Description
Come out and meet "The Regulars" and help us raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer's Association and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's while enjoying live entertainment and a D.J. Take a chance on our Chinese Auction items along with our Silent Auction. Raffle tickets will also be sold and pulled every hour. There will be appetizers and one glass of wine with your admission price.


For ticket information and price please contact Kathryn Hartz at 609-570-0342.


We promise you an enjoyable evening as we all ban together to make a difference in the hundreds of lives affected by these two diseases. "Together is One" is our motto.


Visit us on the web at:

www.theRegulars.org

Also visit the Manor at

www.thehamiltonmanor.com



RSVP Guests:
How many?



The Hamilton Manor

30 Route 156
Trenton, NJ 08691