A week of feeding my mind and heart...

This week has been one of feeding the mind and feeding the heart. Over a week ago I left Portland to attend the SchoologyNEXT Conference with some work colleagues. Schoology is a learning platform that is being used in my school district this next year. It allows you to create courses for students and give them access to all classroom resources as well as post videos, create classroom discussions, etc. It's like Facebook, YouTube, and a website all rolled into one. I am both excited and overwhelmed to begin this new educational journey. Today I begin this path...

The second half of the week, I went to the 2015 MTM-CNM Family Conference, where I spent five wonderful days reuniting with my "family." I only put family in quotes because technically they aren't related to me, but they are the family of my heart. They understand our ups and downs...they celebrate our small improvements, mourn losses. These are the people I can bare my whole soul with, my fears, my joys. I can say words out loud that I am afraid to say to others...

Our journey with MTM has been one that is over eleven years long. It has been a journey of unexpected joy and sorrow. Children have gained their angel wings and others have struggled, yet been victorious. Researchers are working toward a cure and treatment...one that will not come soon enough. Javad is thirteen...I am not unrealistic that a treatment may mean something different for him. His legs have severe contractures that would inhibit walking...although I am not sure he would want to walk...he has never even thought it to be a part of his life, yet the strength to do things he would like would be amazing. I can't even wrap my head around it! When I look at the babies..the ones I held and rocked at the conference, I dream of a very different future for them, a future where they may move, have strength, maybe even walk. The idea that Javad and these children could breathe with freedom is such an incredible idea...and researchers are moving in that direction...it can and will happen.

This journey for us has not ended but I am so happy to be on the journey with so many amazing people! #mtmcnmfamily #mtmcnmsiblings #mtmcnmlove #loveourresearchers

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