For documentation sake, the following are Allie and my speeches from the Life as a Zebra Foundation’s second annual, “An Evening With Chris Trapper and opener, Joshua Davis Trio, to Benefit Invisible Illness Research” held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on April 13, 2013.

Send tickets to sponsors.  Deposit sponsor checks.  Send ad reminders.  Constant Contact Email.  Update Foundation Website.  Link Blog to Foundation Site.  Pick up Panopolous Sponsorship on Tuesday.  Follow up on other sponsorships.  Schedule Kellogg Meeting to plan/order food & room design.  Design t-shirts and order. 

Let’s face it.  It’s hard to feel attractive in your own skin when you feel like your body is turning on you. 

Topic: What questions do you have for other patients?

One of the most important things for me is sharing with fellow zebras.  There is nothing like being able to talk to someone who is living a life similar to mine.  I’m sure many of you will understand what I mean when I say what an amazing feeling it is to meet someone who just “knows” what you are going through, because they are living it too. 

Topic: Write about your advice for someone caring for a patient with your condition

Caretakers in my opinion are unsung heroes.  Often it is the person who is sick that receives the caring phone calls, messages, care packages, etc.

My caretakers are the ones who have been behind the scenes, making phone calls for me, sitting with me during doctor’s appointments, driving me around the Midwest to see specialists, being there when I fall apart, making meals, bathing me, encouraging me, picking up prescriptions, supporting me, taking on more household duties, pushing my wheelchair, being my cheerleader, and the list goes on, and on, and on…