Post blogger Mitch Mulhall is no stranger to fly fishing. Don't believe us? Just ask him.
Post blogger Amanda Boxtel, co-founder of Challenge Aspen, returns to the valley after her second trip to Delhi, India, for experimental embryonic stem-cell therapy. "Human Embryonic Stem Cells are alive and growing in my body," she blogs from afar, "infusing me with life and awakening my legs. As I near the end of my second treatment at Nutech Mediworld, I continue to regain strength. I have three days before I board my flight bound for the US. This time around, I am discovering that my body is so much more sensitive to the treatment, and I am more in tune with my bodily sensations."
Post blogger Jim Vail has spent over 100,000 miles on the road hereabouts and he's got a few choice thoughts for RFTA.
Posts filed under 'People'
I am ecstatic to report that I am the proud owner of a very strong hamstring in the left leg. Yes, my lower left leg can now move backwards from the knee down to the foot on its own! This is a first!!!!! In fact, I feel my gluteus maximus beginning to kick in, along with other abdominal and leg muscles that haven’t felt alive for fifteen years. I have a weird sensation that I can deeply tense my calf muscles. The awareness in my lower limbs is strangely phenomenal—as if a little electrical current has been turned on filtering pins-and-needle tingles all the way to my toes. This is all apparent after my most recent two embryonic stem cell procedures. My body is waking up and I am both the audience watching synonymous with the actors playing out the motions. I applaud with glee at the slightest flicker of movement, and I sweat with exertion to fire-up a body part that has been paralyzed for what seems like an eternity.
Continue Reading August 7th, 2007
Sure, there are those who get paid to nose around and get to the bottom of what they or their editors consider newsworthy information and end up distorting or slanting the facts to appeal to their own agenda, but in the end every story, every facet of life has a who, what, where, when, why, and how. And anyone, whether it be the house wive’s who meet at yoga every Thursday morning and relay the latest gossip, or the lunch lady who explains to a group of students the daily menu– even the concierge at a hotel—anyone can tell a story and may even– in hypothetical circumstances– manage to get all the facts and details right. So what is a reporter and whom should you trust to get your information?
The choices are there, and they are yours to make.
Continue Reading July 21st, 2007
Today I had another stem cell procedure, which was less invasive than the previous. Dressed with my hair in a pony tail, my jeans unzipped, and a bottle green hospital gown open down the back I lay on my side in the fetal position in Dr. Ashish’s operating theater. A male assistant dressed in surgical blue stood over me like a guardian angel, holding my body in position on the two foot wide narrow table. Dr. Ashish injected two doses of stem cells into the muscles on either side of my injury site on my back…and that was it. Yes, it was over before I could count to a hundred. I was taken to my little room to rest for an hour or so with a fan humming loudly overhead, a good book, and the curry.
Continue Reading July 20th, 2007
I’m peeing! Yes, what a way to begin my communiqué, but this is a small miracle within itself. After 15 years of zero bladder control I am beginning to restore function. What most take for granted everyday (a simple tinkle into the loo) has been a silent dream of mine for years. Since my spinal tap with a massive dose of stem cells injected last Friday, I am happy to report that I have tinkled on my own sixteen times. I void approximately 50% on my own and then use my electronic stimulator to fully empty. I am hoping that with time I will be able to empty completely on my own accord. < /SPAN>I attribute the stem cells to this small but significant accomplishment. My toes on my left foot continue to wiggle ever so slightly – sometimes barely at all. A Russian neurosurgeon visiting Dr. Shroff confirmed that this is also a small miracle. After he viewed my digital MRIs and cat-scans he agreed that my new toe wiggle is something I should not be able to do at all given the massive extent of my injury. He also confirmed that the toe wiggle is not due to a muscle spasm and that I am actually doing it on my own. This was reassuring.
Continue Reading July 11th, 2007
Anthropogenic CO2 production accounts for 3.20% of all CO2 emissions. Carbon dioxide makes up 3.62% of all greenhouse gases, making anthropogenic CO2 account for approximately 0.116% of all greenhouse gases. Elimination of 90% of our emissions would reduce all greenhouse emissions by 0.10%, making anthropogenic Co2, THE cause of global warming a statistical impossibility! (http://mysite.verizon.net/mhieb/WVFossils/greenhouse_data.html).
Continue Reading July 10th, 2007
Since 1984 Snowmass Village and Jazz Aspen Snowmas (JAS) have teamed up to present Snowmass’ free Thursday night concert series. These generous venues have attracted millions to Fanny Hill where locals, visitors, and freeloaders have the opportunity to take a trip back in time with legendary rock, soul, R&B and latin music artists.
“We are very excited about Marcia Ball she is a very wonderful jazz musician,” said Snowmass Village Public Relations Directory, Allison Johnson. “People Just love her, which is why she is coming back for the second time.”
This Thursday July 12, will feature Marcia Ball, an American blues singer and pianist. Recognized as an influential pianist, her unique style was inspired by y zydeco, swamp blues, and boogie woogie. Ball, who was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 1990, plays roadhouse rock, jump-blues, second line syncopation, R&B, deep soul, and ballads. Not only known for her marvelous piano playing skills but her gifted singing and songwriting that blend together to create and real and unique energy.
Starting June 28 and running through August 23, the evening starts on the hill at 6:00p.m., right next to the Snowmass Mall.
“We oversee the concert series,” said Mountain Groove Productions, Josh Behrman. “[Mountain Groove Productions] is contracted by the town of Snowmass Village to help with the Thursday night concerts specifically. JAS has been responsible for scouting talent, but we supervise all aspects.”
Behrman, who said has only been working with JAS on the free Thursday concerts for two years, indicated that a lot of work goes into the organization of these free concerts, but when it is all said and done everyone is happy.
Jill Merriam has announced bands and artists at the Thursday night concert series previously this summer and plans to do it again before the summer is over.
“It’s a fun free event that benefits the community, and a lot of cool people come out,” said Merriam. “All alcohol purchased goes to local charities, not to mention all the bands and musicians are great.”
July 10th, 2007
We need your help. Does anyone have a connection to Oprah? Please spread this email. The world needs to be alerted of Dr. Geets Shroff’s ground-breaking treatment and her amazing accomplishments. I will attach the letter in addition to copying it within this email below.
With so much gratitude, Amanda Boxtel
Continue Reading July 8th, 2007
I have grown to love the hospital because of the people in it—they are soooooo incredibly positive and there is an air of optimism I feel as soon as I roll up the steep ramp into the waiting area. I had my seventh stem cell injection today. I will continue through Saturday with Sunday off. On Mondays and Tuesdays I will have an intravenous injection of many stem cells mixed with a bag of saline. On August 6th I will have my first spinal tap surgically on the operating room and I will stay overnight in the hospital. Each day I do rigorous physical therapy with a petite PT named Chavi. She is gorgeous and very positive and she’s not afraid to crack the whip. I’m working on balancing and strengthening exercises. She is impressed with how “in-shape I am” (dig at Jim Finch) and how healthy my body is. CP, I attribute much of that to you my angel friend.
I fully respect Dr. Shroff and what she is doing. She IS getting results from every patient and I believe I will be next. I met Mr. Singh yesterday who was paralyzed 18 years ago (a complete T-10 SCI) and he now has bladder/bowel function, he has increased sensation, he can move his toes/feet/muscles in his legs and practices walking with calipers. He gives me courage and inspiration.
Continue Reading June 29th, 2007
Amanda Boxtel is famous for her courage, for helping to found Challenge Aspen after a fluke accident left her paralyzed and unable to walk.
But Boxtel is not about to give up: Naomi Havlen reports she is now en route to India for embryonic stem cell research banned in the United States.
Continue Reading June 18th, 2007
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