OM STORIES
Meet Your Denver OM Ambassador, Lisa
We are so excited to have OM members and sisters - Lisa and Amanda Avram - as our new Denver OM Ambassadors. Their Live Big spirit is contagious, and they have some great ideas for fun and unique Meetup events in Denver! Thanks, ladies! Article below was submitted by Lisa Avram.
We are so excited to have OM members and sisters - Lisa and Amanda Avram - as our new Denver OM Ambassadors. Their Live Big spirit is contagious, and they have some great ideas for fun and unique Meetup events in Denver! Thanks, ladies! Article below was submitted by Lisa Avram.
Hey Outdoor Mindset! I’m an Ohio native (Go Buckeyes!) who moved to Denver in 2001 and hasn’t looked back. I do miss my family in Ohio; but, I'm lucky to have a brother and sister and their families out here with me. And, I’ve got some pretty amazing friends all over. I am a special education teacher working at Children’s Hospital Colorado. I teach in program called Project SEARCH- it’s a job development and employability training program for young adults with disabilities….And it’s awesome! I’ve been a special education teacher for 12 years now. Whoa. What? Where does the time go?
Denver has so many things to do out here - camping, hiking, running, climbing, biking, snowboarding, snowshoeing….you get the idea! and it's all in my backyard. Camping and then climbing a 14er is one of my favorite things to do. (I’ve climbed 9 total, and Bierstadt twice and just want to keep checking them off the list!) I most recently completed the Ragnar Colorado Relay which is a 200 mile running relay that started in Copper, went to Breckenridge, over to Vail, then Glenwood Springs and FINALLY ended in Snowmass. I ran 3 legs of this relay- there was a team of 12- and although all of it was beautiful, my favorite part was running through Glenwood Canyon at 3:00 in the morning, with the sound of the rushing water and the stars above me. It. Was. Perfect. I’ve also ran 2 half marathons, countless 5k’s and 10k’s and one day would love to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and visit Germany.
I have epilepsy- but it hasn’t stopped me from doing things I love. I’ve had seizures as long as I can recall (I remember my first one at the age of 4), but wasn’t “officially” diagnosed and put on medication until 2000. I was in college. That’s a long time to live without knowing what kind of day you were going to have. It took a while to get used to having to take medications and trying a bunch of them to figure out what worked, (and even still things change and it’s like starting all over again) but now I’m an advocate and a supporter for myself and others with epilepsy. I don’t think it’s talked about enough and I’m all about bringing more awareness to the epilepsy community.
Interesting facts? I've broken/seriously injured my left wrist 3 times in 3 years. The last time, I completely shattered it and I now have a metal plate and 12 pins in it! There was a stint of three years in a row, where I always had some sort of cast or brace on my wrist. It made for some great conversation starters at work, for sure.
Favorite colors? Brown and green.
Favorite season? Fall! (It’s here! It’s here!)
Superpowers?! I've always wished to be invisible-even more than being able to fly. And I definitely
wouldn't
want to be able to read people's minds!
I hope that being a member of Outdoor Mindset allows me to meet and support others using my passion for awareness and my passion for the outdoors. I’m a huge believer in the healing powers of “just being” outside and making connections with others. I’m interested in organizing some more Denver meet-ups for OM, and meeting some great new friends! Let’s go Live Big!
Can Do Day Story - A guest blog from our partner, Can Do MS
In honor of CAN DO DAY, our partner Can Do MS, wanted to share a story on our blog. Can Do Day is all about living big and focusing on what you can do. Get inspired and make a pledge about what YOU can do this September 22nd!
In honor of CAN DO DAY, our partner Can Do MS, wanted to share a story on our blog. Can Do Day is all about living big and focusing on what you can do. Get inspired and make a pledge about what YOU can do this September 22nd!
"We were relieved to finally have a diagnosis..."
Amy Sleeper
Most of us spend our childhoods believing that our parents are superheroes – that they’re indestructible, can do anything they want, and can save our lives simply by putting a Band-Aid on a scrape. This belief often disappears quickly as we grow up. Unfortunately for some of us, it disappears for a much different reason. Amy Sleeper’s dad David was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was a junior in high school, even though he had been suffering from its debilitating symptoms for years before that. Within a year, he went from being one of the top finishers in his age group during a local mountain-bike race, to struggling to finish it. He endured years of doctors’ visits, being told that nothing was wrong with him, that he was just getting older. Finally, the doctors diagnosed him with MS.
“We were relieved to finally have a diagnosis, and although it wasn’t something that I went around telling everyone, it wasn’t something that I ever lied about or hid from anyone who was curious. When I went off to college, I even came home for Thanksgiving with a brand new tattoo – the MS awareness ribbon!” Amy said.
In 2012 David learned about the flagship four-day CAN DO® Program in Denver, CO, and invited Amy to join him as his support partner. Already an active volunteer at the Can Do MS office, Amy participated in this life-changing program and began spreading her
can do
spirit as a daughter, support partner, and humble advocate for Can Do MS.
“Since the program, I’ve met a handful of young adults just like me whose parents are living with MS. I take the time to explain how amazing my experience was at the program and let them know about all the resources Can Do MS offers. It’s my way of spreading the
can do
philosophy.”
Can Do Day is all about sharing that philosophy! It was created to honor Can Do MS founder Jimmie Heuga (1943-2010) on his birthday and to raise awareness for MS. During September supporters are encouraged to share their pledge on our Facebook page of what they
can do
on Jimmie’s birthday. On September 22
nd
, they post a picture of what they are doing to help spread the
can do
spirit.
Amy’s pledge is inspired by her father as well as her experience at the program.
“I left the program with a new appreciation for life and the realization that even though I may feel indestructible at 25, I could lose that feeling for a number of reasons. I have always tried to live my life to the fullest, but this program and all of the amazing people I met have taught me to take nothing for granted. I see my dad in a new way – I admire him every day for the strength he puts forward to accomplish all of his goals, and I only hope that I can grow up to be as strong as he is.”
Amy’s pledge starts by participating in a five-mile mud run on September 21
st
. On Can Do Day, Amy is going to spend the day raising awareness for MS and our programs by sharing her new appreciation for life through email and social media. Most importantly, Amy is going to spend quality time with her Dad over the phone to let him know how much she loves him and that his strength is her source of inspiration.
Join Amy on Can Do Day, September 22
nd
, to make your own Can Do Day pledge! Help honor Jimmie Heuga on his birthday by sharing your
can do
spirit with your friends and family by raising awareness for MS. Visit the
page today to share your pledge!
Member Highlight - Michele
My most significant current challenge is recovering from VNS surgery. I've had VNS for 10 years, which stopped my daytime seizures 100%. I still have occasional nocturnal seizures, and lately I've had a few partial complex seizures when the VNS stopped working. The entire unit was replaced on August 8th. Misty's Journey to Empowerment
I must say that I went out of my comfort zone on this past weekend. I saw the hike online and said to myself "I want to do this for my son." I sought out friends and family to hike this 14er with me. My son is 8 years old and has epilepsy. He was diagnosed almost 2 years ago. I struggle mentally trying to figure out answers for my emotions over this. I support him in anyway I can trying to empower him while doing little to empower myself. In one year Austin has (so far) run four 5k's and a kids triathlon.
When I couldn't find anyone to go on this hike with me, I sought elsewhere, calling Tom Olsen and emailing you [Outdoor Mindset]. Both were very welcoming and I realized seeking elsewhere meant allowing myself to go out of my comfort zone. I struggled up and down but I realized giving myself permission to do this empowered me in ways I cannot explain.
I had an amazing and emotional trip. Everyone I met made me feel very welcome. I spent the night in Breckenridge, CO that night having some time to think and reflect on my emotional day and our journey with epilepsy. I woke the next morning so happy to say, "when can I hike my next 14er?" I thank God for allowing myself to be empowered by such stressors and beauty of hiking a 14er. I also thank him for the wonderful people who helped encourage me mentally along the way.
Meetup Groups...Dissected!
Have you ever wondered what OM Meetup Groups are and why they exist? Well, let me explain. OM's mission is to unite and empower people affected by neurological challenges through a passion for the outdoors. OM supports this mission through offering several programs, one of which is called Meetup Groups. Meetup Groups strengthen connections and empower you to to get outside with members in your local area. You may join awesome events/activities or suggest your own!
Who may join these Meetup Groups? Outdoor Mindset community members may join. Community membership is available for anyone that shares our passion for the outdoors and has been affected by a neurological challenge (including diagnosed individuals and their supporters). Register today:
What are some examples of past Meetups? Stand up paddle boarding, hiking, snowshoeing, walking, races, film screenings, and much more!
How do I join Meetup Groups and RSVP to an event? Currently all our Meetup Groups are located on Meetup.com, but very soon these groups will be available right on our website.Keep reading to find out about upcoming Meetup Groups in your city!
BOULDER, CO MEETUP GROUP
What: Weekly Walk at Coot Lake Where: On 63rd St. about 1/2 mile North of the Diagnonal, west of road, Boulder, CO
Why: Let's meet to walk around the lake, and then grab coffee if you have time. Coot lake is a flat, easy 1.2 mile dirt trail loop. Dogs are welcome! It's a beautiful trail with a great vibe! Hope to see you there!
When: Saturday, August 10, 2013
NH/VT MEETUP GROUP
What: Kayak on the Connecticut River Where: Ledyard Canoe Club, West Wheelock and Tuck Drive, Hanover, NH Why: Come out for an afternoon on the Connecticut river while the summer is still here. We will paddle South from Ledyard boatyard in Hanover, NH to a nearby island for a picnic break, and paddle back. The journey should take around 3 hours. When: Saturday, August 10, 2013
DENVER/BOULDER MEETUP GROUPS What: Join Colorado Climbers for Epilepsy to hike a 14-er, Mt Sherman Where: Iowa Gulch Trailhead, outside of downtown Leadville Why: We are partnering with amazing father and son, John and Tom Olsen to raise awareness about epilepsy. Read more about their story here. This hike is one of the easier Colorado 14-ers. We will cover a 2,150 ft elevation gain over 4.5 miles roundtrip. When: Saturday, August 24th, 8:00am RSVP: julie@outdoormindset.org
If you have any questions, feedback, or would like to start a Meetup Group in your city, please contact julie at julie@outdoormindset.org.
NEW Member Highlight - Meet Alyssa!
I just finished my first masters degree in Theology (with a 30 hr memory!) and I'm starting my second masters degree in two weeks (Marriage and Family Therapy w/ cert. in child therapy). I'm an administrator for a church and I also work at a counseling practice as a mentor for teen girls.