ROAD TO ECUADOR

Dear Maddie,

In light of International Woman’s Day I’d like to honor Maddison Babineau. Maddie was a young girl living in Hamilton who died in May 2007 at age 15 of bone cancer. I’d like to say she was an ordinary girl, just like any of us, but in reality she was so much more. Not only did Maddie fight through her own illness, but her fathers as well. When Maddie was born her father was dying of ALS. She helped care for him; feeding, fetching and most importantly making him laugh. When he was voiceless, she made his eyes smile. She also helped with her little brother while bravely managing her own childhood. At age 6 her Dad died. Maddie was then diagnosed with cancer at the age of 12. During her long battle with cancer, Maddie was granted a wish from the Children’s Wish Foundation. Rather than asking for anything for herself, she requested money be donated to help build a school for children in Kenya. She even spent her long days in the hospital making and selling bracelets from her hospital bed to help raise money. Unfortunately she never lived to see her goal reached.. but her legacy still lives on. Through MAD4MADDIE a school has been built for under privileged kids in Kenya, along with the Baraka Health Clinic that provides essential medical care for those in the village.

I never knew Maddie but no one can deny her strength, perseverance and caring for others is absolutely inspiring. Going to my first MAD4MADDIE event changed my life, and I invite you to experience her legacy. On May 11^th 2012 the MAD4MADDIE team is hosting a dinner dance at Michelangelo’s in Hamilton, Ontario. Tickets are only $25 and you get a night of dinner, dancing, silent auction draws and not to mention, inspiration. All funds raised goes towards the projects in Kenya that MAD4MADDIE are funding.

If dancing isn’t your thing we are also hosting the annual MAD4MADDIE 5km walk/run Saturday May 26^th at STM high school in Hamilton. To participate in the run we are asking that you raise a minimum of $35 in pledges!

If you’d like any more information or have any questions please visit:

http://maddieswishproject.com/index.php

And thank you Maddie, for changing my life.

 

Healthy Mind, Healthy Soul

The theme of this blog is supposed to be about my inspirations, hopes and dreams… but it’s also about the struggles and roadblocks that I’ve had to overcome in order to get where I am today. In light of Mental Health Awareness Week I have something to share with you all, and I hope you can bare with me as I’m not even sure how to explain to myself how I’m feeling, let alone others.

Basically I’ve come to realize I may have taken on too much. I’m the type of person who just can’t say no, and even worse if I’m told I can’t do something, you better believe I’ll be out to prove you wrong. I enjoy keeping myself busy and being not only involved with everything going on around me, but contributing and leading.

Now with leadership comes responsibility. And with responsibility comes pressure.

I’ll admit I have no right to “complain”, I made the choice to take on all these responsibilities and I love everything that I do. I was warned that not asking for help, over working myself and neglecting sleep was not healthy, but I didn’t listen.

Ultimately I learned my lesson.

I stopped wanting to get out of bed in the morning. I didn’t want to eat at times, and at others I would binge. I felt unmotivated, depressed, worthless, tired, and insufficient. Sleep was something I did constantly and headaches were a frequent occurrence.

Until today I’ve never told anyone that I’ve had some really dark days in the past few months. Why would I? How do I have a right to break down over having TOO much opportunity in my life? Absolutely none.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people come to me and say “one day you’re going to change the world” or “you’re going to do big things” and I’ve gone home and cried because I feel so incapable. If I can’t handle life as a 17 year old how am I going to keep myself together years down the road?

But what I’ve learned in the past few weeks is that this is okay. Everyone has dark moments, and everyone pulls through them. What’s important to remember is that you’re not alone. You have family and friends that love you dearly and as much as you think you’re hurting, they hurt just as much seeing you like this. Maybe you need a change. Maybe you need a little inspiration, or you simply need to break down, cry, and scream. Whatever you need to do make sure you take the time and do it. Because as I’ve learned, sometimes in order to help others you first need to help yourself.

So am I out of my slump? Honestly I don’t think so. But I woke up this morning smiling knowing that it was a beautiful day, I had a wonderful life to live and wonderful people to share it with. I believe Dr. Seuss said it best,

“And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!”

All you need to do is believe.

Oh The Places You Will Go

“Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?”