For documentation sake, here are Allie and my speeches from “An Evening with Chris Trapper to Benefit Invisible Illnesses,” which was held on April 14th at Lou and Harry’s Sports Bar and Grill.

Katie’s Speech:

“Starting to feel better, so bring on the weather I feel I’ve prepared for anything…

We are the ones who are never afraid, We need no rehearsal to dance. We’re well aware this may be our last chance,

So bring on the avalanche.”

 That was an excerpt from one of Chris’s songs, “Avalanche.”  For the last two years I have been learning how to face my Avalanche.  And you know what? The fact that I am able to stand on my two feet in front of you tonight instead of in my wheelchair, is one of the reasons for me to continue to fight to face my Avalanche.

Hello, blog.  Remember me?  It’s Katie.  I have missed you so.

I cannot believe that I have not posted anything since April 8.  That is a record.  It is definitely time for me to catch up on some writing therapy.

I am pretty sad to say that I missed my first “Five For Friday” since I started my blog a year and a half ago 🙁  I am trying to be kind to myself but it irks me and my OCD personality.

So, I am going to do a “+5” on this one to try to catch myself, and all of you up.

We are 6 days out until our big fundraiser featuring Chris Trapper!  The excitement is building!  Here are the latest updates:

• We will be having a silent auction with some pretty sweet stuff, from 6-7:45.  Autographed pictures, facials, festival tickets, rounds of golf, wine, restaurant gift certificates, etc…At this time we are able to accept cash and checks, and we are working on getting the credit card system up and running by Saturday.  There is also an ATM at Lou and Harry’s.  All proceeds made from the silent auction will be split among the three charities: EDNF, NDRF, and VF. 
• We will also have zebra t-shirts for sale for anyone interested.  The money made from the t-shirts will also benefit the three charities. 
• We will have informational tables set up with information about EDS, Dysautonomia, and Vasculitis.
• Allie and I are working on our “speeches.” My hands are getting sweaty just thinking about it. 
• Lou and Harry’s staff will have scanners that will scan your ticket at the door to allow entry.  If you need your tickets re-emailed, let Allie or I know.  Also, anyone 21 and older will be required to wear a wristband since it is an all-ages show. 
• As for press this what I know, at this time:  
• The fundraiser will be featured in City Pulses’s Calendar of Events.
• I will be interviewed tomorrow, April 9, by Melik Brown, on his show “Time Slot.”  You can listen to the interview live over the internet here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/time-slot-2x.  It will then air on local TV on Wednesday, April 11, on channel 16.
• Chris Trapper will be on John Bommarito’s show on 107.1 (Ann Arbor) on Friday, April 13th at 2:00.  John will be asking him about the event so tune in if you can!
• We are now offering student ticket pricing!  College students, come to Lou and Harry’s on Chandler Road (in advance or on day of the event) to purchase 1/2 price tickets at only $15! One ticket per ID, please.
• The hot, local band, Avon Bomb, will take the stage at 10:30 at the conclusion of the event!  Your ticket covers this band as well.
• We still need a videographer!  Anyone out there willing and able?  Email me if you are interested.  The purpose of videotaping is to be able to post the event on YouTube to continue to raise invisible illness awareness.   

After months and months of hard work by many, it is crazy that we are less than a week away.  We hope you are excited!  We are!

Event Website:

http://iie.lifeasazebra.com/

It’s EVENT WEEK!  One week from today!  How in the world did that happen?!  This Five for Friday is going to be short and sweet since my to-do list is 2427287 3 pages long.

1.  Medical Stuff:

• 2 sessions of PT, 1 Graston’s and 1 strengthening.
• 2 Days of Home Rehab.

2.  I have spent my week of spring break working mainly on the event, school work, and then more on the event.  Most of my time was spent on the silent auction, figuring out t-shirts, working with Allie on the slideshow, meeting with Jan, working on press contacts and email blasts (sorry if I keep bugging you. I will stop. I promise), designing the banner with Allie, and the list goes on.  Next up?  I have to figure out what I want to say.  Have I mentioned that public speaking is my biggest fear?  Well, it is, and I probably should have thought about that before we started on this event back at Thanksgiving.  I will definitely be wearing my big girl dress that night.  Breathing. 

3.  My best friend, Meghan and her son Jackson came over on Wednesday.  Wednesday ended up being the most relaxing day of spring break, sitting in the sun, having a picnic, and catching up.  Love you, Meghan!

4.  There have been lots of birthdays to celebrate this week!  A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my niece, Jameson my sister-in-law, Audrey, and my great friend, Angie!

5.  I got it!  I really got it!  I have wanted this for over a year, and I finally pulled the trigger after saving for months and bought it.  Now, I just have to figure out how to use it.  Isn’t is gorgeous?!

+1.  I will be posting event updates by tomorrow.  One more week of feeling like this…

Well, this is a record for the latest I have ever been for a “Five For Friday.”  At least I made it before Sunday.

1.  Medical Stuff:

• I had a couple of wheelchair days.  I tried my best not to get down about it.  My Mom helped with a little tough love, as in “suck it up, it’s temporary, sit your butt down in the chair…”  When we got to the mall last Sunday, she reminded me that my wheelchair, Wilamena, gives me the freedom to do things, I would not be able to do otherwise. Thank God for my Mama.
• 1 Day of PT. Focus~Strengthening and neck manipulation.
• 1 Day of Home Rehab.
• Prolotherapy round 12 was yesterday.  I got about 90-some shots, but who’s counting?