Round Up! or something….

I had to look up the definition of a “Round Up” newsletter since I’m new to this bloggy thing; this will be a little recap of the past few months: Best of links, What’s to come, and 7 Bizarre/Lovely blog things that have happened since I started up. And I’m also sharing a few favorite blogs again as I often like to do ‘round these parts (get it, western? Round up??).

Coming up: Is November. (Aren’t you glad I’m here to tell you that?) Well, November happens to be an Awareness Month I’ve participated in every year for 10 years, but THIS YEAR for RSD/CRPS Awareness Month, 3 cool things are converging:

1. I am able to read and type again more freely.
2. I just started a blog to share inspiring survivors stories on.
3. I just got a new orange shirt to wear. Boom.

Not like awareness month is all about ME or anything… But truly, I’m very excited to be participating in awareness month as it’s so very important that people understand this disease is less rare than MS, Lupus, or HIV even though so many of the general public have not heard of CRPS/RSD. I hope you will enjoy what I have planned for November. It won’t be all about Complex Regional Pain Syndrome though. It will be about how we conquer pain from those who have beautiful inspiring stories to tell: and every person has to conquer physical or emotional pain at some point.

Being Thankful: Going into November, a time for showing our gratitude to others, I want to thank you, readers for taking the time to visit, leaving your encouraging thoughtful comments, and helping build a network around aBodyofHope. I’ve met so many warm, vibrant, talented individuals since I’ve been here at WordPress. You’ve inspired my writing and have made this a wonderful, welcoming process. For each Like on the page, I send you out a little mental Thank You Note.

Shoutout: I also want to thank my sweet beautiful poet friend, The Optimistic Cynic for nominating this page with One Lovely Blog award. She writes uplifting smart powerful poetry and creates remarkable artwork, so receiving an award from a blog like hers means so much. Thank you for your support and for the nomination! 4. Actually on the same morning she awarded me this, I awarded her a Leibster Award and we left messages for each other at the same time! It was a totally adorable blogging coincidence.

Another Lovely/Surprising Blog Thing: 5. I have not shared this yet, but just after posting my very first entry to this blog: How Robin Williams Saved Superman, I received a message from Robin William’s daughter Zelda thanking me for the kind post. She and her family read it and being the day after his passing, she said it meant so much to them. How did she get my first ever entry? Apparently, we have mutual friends on facebook, and it got passed along… You literally had to peel me off of the floor!

I tell you this now because Zelda Williams has had backlash thrown at her for nearly everything she has tried to say in the media and on social networking. It has been a disgusting display of human compassion and bullying and there is never an excuse for such behavior. Here is the hummingbird tattoo she got in honor of her father. I think it is a beautiful tribute. I just wanted to give Zelda a holler since she was so kind to me on likely the worst day of her life.

Zelda William’s Tattoo

Something Bizarre: 6. After I posted Crutch Life, a collaboration post with College on Crutches, we got a message from an admirer of ladies who live on crutches apparently… He specifically asked for pictures: “lots of pictures, full body, showing your crutches.” Eeeek!

A Blog Jinx: 7. A couple weeks ago, I posted my first article on POTS: My Toothbrush, My Trophy. I shared about how I had met an important goal and discussed some of my improvements I’ve made this year after the past few years of battling the disorder. Well, within an hour of posting it, my POTS and heart issues sent me to the Emergency Room. It was a total Blog Jinx! I feel like my body got the memo October was POTS awareness month and the memo was my blog post!!!

Call to Action: If you have an inspiring story to tell, if you are a sassy Spoonie, if you are a survivor, an artist, a poet or family member of physical/mental illness/disability and like to write, or if you would like to collaborate: please contact me at abodyofhope@inbox.com

I am Paying Forward One Lovely Blog nominations to:

Low Wire: Poet, short story writer, pilot, orphan, world traveler… This man has touched my heart with his words and his story. Here is one of his pieces I cannot get out of my mind: Sin Nombre

Defy Gravity: A young woman passionate about raising awareness for Dysautonomia and giving a voice to others with chronic illnesses.

Project Naked: A collection of stories submitted by women from all over the world who explore the relationships to their bodies. Consider submitting yours.

Escharae: A young woman sharing healthy, mindful tips, and an honest refreshing perspective on life with Multiple Sclerosis and chronic illness.

Popular posts: In case you missed it.

Party Etiquette for Sassy Spoonies

In Her Shoes Poem

Pain Pills: Chronic Pain Sufferers Speak

You Know You’re a Spoonie When: fun list

Praying: Can You Hear Me Now?

Popular Reblogs: 

Be a Blessing

Proportional Pain and my Guilty Genes

The Question of Human Suffering

Everyone have a Happy Halloween! If you are unable to go out to celebrate, I would love to hear what creative character you would have gone as. I love Halloween, even from bed. Thank you for reading!

********

I did my One Lovely Blog acceptance a bit different, but I never have been very good at following instructions (or rules). That isn’t my #8, that’s just bonus. If you want to accept your nomination, here are the courteous things to do:

– link back to the person who nominated you

– Post One Lovely Blog Award picture on the acceptance post or using a widget on your page

– 7 facts about yourself

– List a number of blogs you are nominating for the award

– Contact your nominees and let them know they have been nominated.

Congratulations!