tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27222346194825024422024-03-06T18:05:21.257-08:00Be The Light___A JOURNEY BACK FROM PARALYSIS___
Rachael Short, a professional photographer and gallery owner, was in a car accident in 2010 leaving her a quadriplegic at the age of 28. She now divides her time between physical therapy and capturing images with her iPhone. Rachael continues to re-define herself as a photographer as she overcomes the challenges of her disability and looks upon the world with a new eye. Updates here about her fundraisers, her recovery and her photography.Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-2722057873960869812024-03-06T18:03:00.000-08:002024-03-06T18:04:46.561-08:0014th annual relay for Rachael!<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtW_Z5vbPhqrHo223pjGm8cQ_B7Em6k6vUgPTExwez7IlxQeiF61_RoAbZNIJBpwVfL7eOzrQ4tAQxQfUnZXnDZLc_K7FrL93V-KdocvsdwhshcaVnha1OQYIvktU9tTT2nAGwE9__YAzhHyoL4hBAw3-GYAHsQv-QLeV9moZcfsuzdz7WLik0QWljPxO/s1920/Relay-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtW_Z5vbPhqrHo223pjGm8cQ_B7Em6k6vUgPTExwez7IlxQeiF61_RoAbZNIJBpwVfL7eOzrQ4tAQxQfUnZXnDZLc_K7FrL93V-KdocvsdwhshcaVnha1OQYIvktU9tTT2nAGwE9__YAzhHyoL4hBAw3-GYAHsQv-QLeV9moZcfsuzdz7WLik0QWljPxO/w400-h225/Relay-1.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>On Sunday, April 28, 2024 my runners will be hitting highway 1 in part of the <a href="https://www.bsim.org/" target="_blank">Big Sur marathon</a> for the 14th annual <a href="https://relayforrachael.com/" target="_blank">Relay for Rachael</a>. Started by a group of friends after my car accident in 2010, this has been my annual fundraiser to help with my care and therapy costs. Without this annual event, I don’t know how I would be getting through my days. I am so grateful for all of my runners and for all of you who continue to support me year after year. Thank you for BEing my light!<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-73558691079047214092023-11-13T16:51:00.000-08:002023-11-13T17:17:40.452-08:00Grief, life, and continuing on…<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Annually since my accident on Halloween in 2010 I’ve posted an update here. It’s a way for me to update the people who support me year after year and also a way to check in with myself. This year I felt like I had nothing to give so it has taken me a while to post here.<br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">With the grief of my aunt’s passing still weighing heavily on me from June 22, 2022, my brother passed away this year on June 16, 2023. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I’ve been torn between wanting to honor him for the amazing person he was, and also wanting to acknowledge the struggle with addiction that he had been battling. He would brush me off and get upset when I would talk to him about his depression and addiction, and this has made me not want to talk about it because I didn't want to upset him, but if we never talk about it nothing is going to change. I’m sorry brother, but I feel like I need to say something.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">His story is one that we are hearing far too often. The isolation and chaos of the pandemic in 2020 really put Alex into a dark place. He had since been trying to get himself out of that place. He had been doing really well the prior six months, and doing all the right things to get his life moving forward again. He changed up his living situation and realized he needed to be less isolated, he had been staying active with his men’s soccer team, backpacking and training to run in my Relay for Rachael fundraiser. He was getting out and being more social and trying to surround himself with the right people. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The last time I saw him was two weeks before he passed away, he asked if I wanted to go down to a Big Sur softball game, a league he had played in. We had a nice drive down the coast and talked about the future, he sounded good and optimistic. Honestly, the last few years our relationship had been rocky. During the pandemic he was alone too much sitting with his own thoughts, and I had not been reaching out enough because I was caught up in my own life, dealing with Covid and caregivers, etc. I think Alex, like a lot of people was good at hiding how bad it really was. And then fentanyl came into the picture and that changed everything, a drug that is more addicting and more lethal than ever before.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Alex was smart beyond his years, creative, athletic, funny, talented in music and the arts. He had a love for animals and the outdoors. He could be tough, but soft. He supported me in my photography, and my rehab, he would come cook me delicious meals, his risotto was the best. We had a beautiful memorial in September celebrating his life. Connecting with his friends has been one of the most healing things. I may have lost a brother, but I feel that I have gained brothers and sisters. I’ve yet to use an emoji since the day he passed, grief does strange things, but I do see a path foward. My brother made me a better person and not having him by my side is another lost in my life that I will have to learn to live with.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuou-TDJk76zYjtPeSah3O2U1jKzC_bEVcdsLmo_knIIhKdX5Wr4hpoXRDJ231qIoMLrteQNMzIFzkYCpQIC-ctzBkajpgw0FGpX_Iuw2KDVh-8bAPPilk8orY_YFt1KiWC2FsVhl8nOc4sSpaNBtFCvyN9TQUyupCm596WLw6SzhsDymxbB1mDzjLtB9/s1800/C7531874-61C1-4F48-B3D4-1F299B17CFAD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuou-TDJk76zYjtPeSah3O2U1jKzC_bEVcdsLmo_knIIhKdX5Wr4hpoXRDJ231qIoMLrteQNMzIFzkYCpQIC-ctzBkajpgw0FGpX_Iuw2KDVh-8bAPPilk8orY_YFt1KiWC2FsVhl8nOc4sSpaNBtFCvyN9TQUyupCm596WLw6SzhsDymxbB1mDzjLtB9/w426-h640/C7531874-61C1-4F48-B3D4-1F299B17CFAD.png" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Dealing with grief the last couple years has made me realize how much I was grieving after my accident over the loss of my able-bodied life. And now at 13 years my so-called “crashiversary” doesn’t seem as significant anymore. I now spend the anniversary of my car accident setting up an altar for Dia de los Muertos, honoring my ancestors who made me who I am, and who continue to guide me daily.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4igsxhpQG9vHITr9jLmf_omVj-mZaHKcbYF2jQCyU_zdpRC5baVGrgDnrQzwegach5CEC9fXJ8uh8CJQvLCHVLoXsa1nAjUnD42ZRuMItTwa5XjJp8qx01q0w6sZVaSNJUP2q15ZMOrMvV_3_NANI7XZZKnXe1fYrLFVLV-wv58pS1jazKY0dNW8DIae/s3024/OriginalPhoto-720580063.827783.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4igsxhpQG9vHITr9jLmf_omVj-mZaHKcbYF2jQCyU_zdpRC5baVGrgDnrQzwegach5CEC9fXJ8uh8CJQvLCHVLoXsa1nAjUnD42ZRuMItTwa5XjJp8qx01q0w6sZVaSNJUP2q15ZMOrMvV_3_NANI7XZZKnXe1fYrLFVLV-wv58pS1jazKY0dNW8DIae/s320/OriginalPhoto-720580063.827783.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I look forward to 2024 with hope, it can’t keep going like this. After a year of feeling like I was struggling for survival every day between life crap and the struggles with finding and keeping caregivers, something has to give. I lost three caregivers this year unexpectedly, with no notice due to personal or health reasons. One of whom had been with me for six years. Because of these daily struggles i’ve had no time to focus on my photography or the gallery, or any free time in general. Already as it is living with a spinal cord injury you have very little free time. Everything takes forever. I feel like a lot of people think I just sit around and have all the time in the world which is the exact opposite of my reality. My main focus is on the necessities: eating, sleeping, bathing and getting the movement in my body that I need to stay healthy. Just these things are a full-time job. And when I am constantly dealing with new caregivers, everything takes that much longer. So I keep reminding myself to be patient and to be gentle on myself, and this too shall pass.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">A huge positive this year, and the thing I am most grateful for is for my annual relay for Rachael fundraiser. This year we raised more money than ever. This keeps my life moving forward, every penny raised goes into the pockets of the people that get me up in the morning and put me to bed at night. With inflation and the cost of living going up, I am having to pay more to find the help I need. Constantly, every day I’m doing the math in my head, do I have the money to pay the people who are helping me. I am so grateful to those of you who support me year after year, words can’t express the gratitude I have for each and everyone of you. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDS3wDE49F1sgq22GOeyg_KVQMra4sgR0Ng3tVEZfcIkZ2tnJeQW_ePNQW2AqAYc_5R7Cndf5QxcLCi93xVCkk9j_tuOzE3zATum63mZQDdkgJTRvh-t5uQ6M05_RrJGNPgPnJhFeL16eZ2O09zRbPlS28g0fBz40bIxTrDQC5zNLFSkuUeZbyi7Xf4pQ/s4032/IMG_0465.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3408" data-original-width="2556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmTzy61QcvkPSt10JdesFlbKHGoPg9fdr7kPCxUjAA690oAMS-uhfF2RF6J518TuKjIrrC83-0sl4TWjRrvQPbcmA52RIrJQ7IRaoCnnsYqLErPU-2BVkTpQJ8vcgAeJ_p7yxUIzA2k43ixAlW4IRsMwrIJV4Aqf1kmqVE_qNse79ROvRYuSIjRF45e8p/s320/IMG_9972.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;"><br /></span><p></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-7761595057847200162023-05-12T16:58:00.004-07:002023-05-13T17:16:04.179-07:00Thank you!<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The 13th <a href="https://relayforrachael.com/" target="_blank">Relay for Rachael</a> fundraiser was a huge success. Year after year I am blown away by the support I receive, I couldn’t do this life without the help from my friends and family. Every dollar raised goes into the pockets of the people who help me get through my days. My caregivers, my therapists, my trainers, they keep me moving forward. It’s a weird thing, and stressful, relying on another human to get you through your days, but knowing that I have the financial side covered for another year is a huge relief. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My runners hit Highway 1 on Sunday, April 30th and ran their fastest or walked their longest or skipped their wierdest…the wind was blowing hard on Hurricane point but my runners still came into the finish line with smiles on their faces. It’s an awkward thing asking for help, but it makes me feel good knowing that I also inspire you. Thank you for allowing me, and inspiring me, to keep on moving.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We had so much fun at the fundraising dinner at the <a href="https://us3.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleylodge.com&xid=2e808b7841&uid=27214311&iid=7caafabc5e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1683933560&h=feade0512723ec70e67a359e7995123d5fe462e28a68afaa2c3bf92fcb6467ef"><span class="s2">Carmel Valley Lodge</span></a> on Friday, April 28th. Thank you again to the Lodge for hosting and to <a href="https://us3.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebitterginger.com%2F&xid=2e808b7841&uid=27214311&iid=7caafabc5e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1683933560&h=2a2d7e04b74647af3b06ff8573ac729a1db260bbc34b46e274e526440c117092"><span class="s2">the Bitter Ginger</span></a>,<a href="https://us3.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fthesaucymaiden&xid=2e808b7841&uid=27214311&iid=7caafabc5e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1683933560&h=099a940ec3c42af02b963809d4e5f846e5c763b03807732b60479eac5b63d751"><span class="s2"> the Saucy Maiden</span></a> and <a href="https://us3.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Ftherandompickler&xid=2e808b7841&uid=27214311&iid=7caafabc5e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1683933560&h=a0abf54f832640a2b80e377cf654dbfa28aa794100994d844b1bdc42c842d85b"><span class="s2">the Random Pickler</span></a> for the delicious food.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1"></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And thank you again to <a href="https://us3.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthetreadmill.com%2F&xid=2e808b7841&uid=27214311&iid=7caafabc5e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1683933560&h=2420288d6d15a4b85ac678bc2c2c8300111543c9325c32e7d8eb12b123882e77"><span class="s2">The Treadmill</span></a> in the Carmel Crossroads for gifting my winning relay team members, THE POTHOLES, each a new pair of shoes, and my marathoners each gift certificates.<br /><br />Thank you!<br />With love and gratitude, Rachael</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; 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font-size: 18.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;"><br /></span></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-44281801799049938352023-02-13T16:32:00.003-08:002023-04-07T17:37:14.847-07:00Relay for Rachael 2023<p>It’s that time again! I have 36 runners ready to hit Highway 1 on Sunday, April 30 to help raise funds for my care and therapy. They keep me going year after year. I couldn’t do it without them or the generous support of my community. Thank you for being my light. <a href="https://relayforrachael.com/" target="_blank">Relay for Rachael </a></p><p>Get your dinner tickets <a href="https://events.helphopelive.org/event/5791/signup/" target="_blank">HERE</a> for the annual dinner with the runners on Friday, April 28 in Carmel Valley!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EpeJ0v44wz01CCwk9INzM0oOcqQB28Ze2-a5IAZ9tB1Glexo9YLrpt9EnQ0dKwhKQ5ZhERBH1VhM5t6L_O6nhv8eDrl4aTKbk0VZ6L4DTTRu0QwNLXSSSJ-bmc_84QRfcTm2Eh46FojrNNMQ9iQsxa49qiusCgqr-24PalJYeJE0dJv34WkP-ydf6Q/s1297/FCAB0819-F027-4573-AC89-B2299A8C7911.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1297" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EpeJ0v44wz01CCwk9INzM0oOcqQB28Ze2-a5IAZ9tB1Glexo9YLrpt9EnQ0dKwhKQ5ZhERBH1VhM5t6L_O6nhv8eDrl4aTKbk0VZ6L4DTTRu0QwNLXSSSJ-bmc_84QRfcTm2Eh46FojrNNMQ9iQsxa49qiusCgqr-24PalJYeJE0dJv34WkP-ydf6Q/w400-h333/FCAB0819-F027-4573-AC89-B2299A8C7911.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-49002227579607560242022-10-31T08:00:00.002-07:002022-11-01T16:22:43.320-07:0012 year “crashiversary”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It’s been a year.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">For 8 months I was looking to fill my caregiving schedule, and then my aunt passed suddenly from leukemia, she had been my constant caregiver for the passed 12 years, filling in when I couldn’t find the help I needed. Finding and keeping the care I need is a full-time job. Unfortunately, when I don’t have the help I need everything else gets put on hold, this is just the reality of my situation.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And here I am on the other side of this challenging year… and I am trying to enjoy the calm while I have it.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">My therapies have been going really well. With the chaos of finding help during the pandemic it has been really nice to get back into a routine. The pool I had been going to for 10 years, Josephine Kernes Memorial Pool, closed down for 18 months, and now that they are back open they are no longer doing one hour sessions. They have cut them down to 30 minutes and that is just not enough time, especially for wheelchair users who need to get out of their chair to prevent pressure sores. It’s unfortunate that they don’t realize this, especially since they have a spinal cord injury grant for aqua therapy. I am thankful I found the <a href="https://montereyaquatictherapycenter.com/" target="_blank">Monterey Aqua Therapy Center</a> where I started going in February 2021, they allow one hour sessions which is so beneficial for pressure relief, anxiety, insomnia, pain management, the benefits go on and on.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkklgrgW18RhElidNvzwCq0Ah0ngVuRQ_NKwocKjEh8EJ0xDhjDH0WlUFDAomLBCmY-_kVz6wsWMkn60gEKc4haqZ9xTjHoCmqtGCunpA32wP-T7BZ-XOqFBy4OX1VsEhyV71ycBfCp9iJ78xXxYLGUZTVVNQoHaxH0yIldg5uNrHBrRaYtXk-pb-p0g/s4032/C5C55E56-CACB-4F50-983D-FD1ABA050C1D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkklgrgW18RhElidNvzwCq0Ah0ngVuRQ_NKwocKjEh8EJ0xDhjDH0WlUFDAomLBCmY-_kVz6wsWMkn60gEKc4haqZ9xTjHoCmqtGCunpA32wP-T7BZ-XOqFBy4OX1VsEhyV71ycBfCp9iJ78xXxYLGUZTVVNQoHaxH0yIldg5uNrHBrRaYtXk-pb-p0g/s320/C5C55E56-CACB-4F50-983D-FD1ABA050C1D.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Buns up! This is during my session of Watsu at the Monterey Aqua Therapy Center. It feels so good!</div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I just finished showing a beautiful photography exhibit at</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span><a href="https://www.galleryexposed.com/" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;" target="_blank">my gallery</a><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">by the photographer Edna Bullock that we had postponed since May 2020. Edna passed away 25 years ago but her daughter, Barbara Bullock-Wilson, now runs the family archive and it was an honor to show her photographs. My photographs are now back up in the gallery along with local photographer, Viktor Klinger. I also still have photographs up at <a href="https://www.altamonterey.com/" target="_blank">Alta bakery</a> in Monterey. And my 2023 fine our calendars are in!</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span><a href="https://www.rachaelshort.com/shop/l8y3u49g8yoe1p73hqu9tw3pmtv1as-za88k" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;" target="_blank">Shop here!</a></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I came across this poem last week, another reminder to never give up. There will be the dark times and there will be the light times. Keep calm and carry on (thanks Terry)…</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Unstoppable </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Unstoppable they called her</span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">but I saw her stop</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I saw her stop</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">many many times.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Sometimes</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I thought she had stopped</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">for good</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">but no</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">she always found a way</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">to resurrect.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">To rise again.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Not the same</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">never the same.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Each time a little more determined</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">and a little less vulnerable.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Unstoppable they said</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">but I think</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">it was in the stopping</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">that she found</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">her power.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Donna Ashworth</span></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-88837939990392138692022-10-10T17:38:00.002-07:002022-10-10T17:52:46.897-07:00Erin Elizabeth Kenyon, 1957-2022<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">My sweet auntie passed away on June 22nd very quickly after being diagnosed with leukemia. She had been caregiving for me just a month prior.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It still feels so unreal and I keep waiting for her to walk in my front door. She has always been my rock, in any emergency she was there. She was my buddy and we had so much fun together. One of the silver linings of my injury is getting to spend so much time with her over the past, nearly 12 years. She took such good care of me, and I know she is sending angels my way. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">When I was a child, before she had kids of her own I had made her a Mother’s Day card, the adults reminded me that she wasn’t a mother yet. That pretty much sums up our relationship. She was always more than an auntie to me, she was my second mom, my friend, my mentor…</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">When I moved back from attending Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara she helped me get a job at the Mitchell Group (now Sothebys Realty) photographing houses around the Monterey peninsula and when I was looking for an office/gallery space in town she was the one who found the current location of Gallery Exposed in Carmel. I look around my house and I see the curtains that she made for me, the pants she sewed up holes in, the flower arrangement she left on my table. I have a beef tenderloin in the freezer waiting for her to cook for us, she cooked it the best. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">She was beautiful, strong, funny, caring, creative, crafty and of course feisty (the aries with red hair). My heart is heavy for my cousins, Cody and Casey who lost their mom and for the grandbaby that she will never meet. Again and again I am reminded that life is short and that everything can change in a moment. Love the ones you’re with, give them a hug, tell them you love them. Until we meet again my sweet auntie, I love you so much, I will always be your sweet girl.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKB1rHDg4chEOrJBVpzmavkpXPGXwyRRu21Seeh2iJQJ2a6AoDtrSnWyEkA7r7kz6ulUMSg4wH7h5pnYSeZpVbwTL8lenn-vmlxruPiPy3iQMuJ5d0sRMgSsi3U1F6Yh4lpMwoLu2Y84fghJC1gb4P62PJl_P2fAC1rWLC34gUz3lF6gUGdGVCLDLh2Q/s800/F5FE35CC-1C35-46A0-99B9-8E32DB480721.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKB1rHDg4chEOrJBVpzmavkpXPGXwyRRu21Seeh2iJQJ2a6AoDtrSnWyEkA7r7kz6ulUMSg4wH7h5pnYSeZpVbwTL8lenn-vmlxruPiPy3iQMuJ5d0sRMgSsi3U1F6Yh4lpMwoLu2Y84fghJC1gb4P62PJl_P2fAC1rWLC34gUz3lF6gUGdGVCLDLh2Q/s320/F5FE35CC-1C35-46A0-99B9-8E32DB480721.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Auntie and Sean helping me with rehab at Zhu’s Neuro Acupuncture in 2011. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Both now are angels in heaven.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvYUJzozZyBhYf75I0hJZ9WkQ2sKtgT70-Yvth8iNJW2MHSbt23KeoWgBtK0D9KnYRr87HafkyRfT3JsIQpFEP4VmXnJZl3iGyiUCOfsAoH9vhpyQf_4ffaxSIFtttfpAl2L081V2OYziueHC01JPXF68m8sXYtpcjfoChzBUvqKSMppnKOjj27RPKA/s1296/9FA96AE7-F45E-405D-A092-BA5D35FC2833.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1296" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvYUJzozZyBhYf75I0hJZ9WkQ2sKtgT70-Yvth8iNJW2MHSbt23KeoWgBtK0D9KnYRr87HafkyRfT3JsIQpFEP4VmXnJZl3iGyiUCOfsAoH9vhpyQf_4ffaxSIFtttfpAl2L081V2OYziueHC01JPXF68m8sXYtpcjfoChzBUvqKSMppnKOjj27RPKA/s320/9FA96AE7-F45E-405D-A092-BA5D35FC2833.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Point Lobos, 2013</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDpduxBSpYsuRNV_OyjDQCR0NUjHTKM3qP_CfqzGnHXxsD2GuvAy1puUZr8s_qJlVu0KoLQ6ZVN_SX3OwyFhCX3jpYl2co2HQOH2hOHTGoYODniwo0z7Uo_T0GqZ3j7fSRB8YXinKOnCJsn1AOPqgVzPfQEyiYFhVgAw2Cw9HtGY0GNdz7idvBMawRA/s2448/10B1E8AE-782D-4711-8175-CEAE5F486103.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDpduxBSpYsuRNV_OyjDQCR0NUjHTKM3qP_CfqzGnHXxsD2GuvAy1puUZr8s_qJlVu0KoLQ6ZVN_SX3OwyFhCX3jpYl2co2HQOH2hOHTGoYODniwo0z7Uo_T0GqZ3j7fSRB8YXinKOnCJsn1AOPqgVzPfQEyiYFhVgAw2Cw9HtGY0GNdz7idvBMawRA/s320/10B1E8AE-782D-4711-8175-CEAE5F486103.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Baja Mexico, 2013</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9qmTdFZpVaOcQBbXaholoIPqsl-t7WEJVu_yZnupfRUpA0Nli8SiM4vMLVBH6FLMvTuzHXN71LhOHXgSFsGUKeiIQWCjGKQzY2tqOaegjuVzCKOkox33MJ8GF6sDbmvL5JuX1kqg_n9Bbp_wfm7Xv33sgwoGu0-Fot8fWNTslYHJ8RK_Zih0jR-dfQ/s4032/24BC4B80-FF25-4075-BA0E-596E39FE40CB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9qmTdFZpVaOcQBbXaholoIPqsl-t7WEJVu_yZnupfRUpA0Nli8SiM4vMLVBH6FLMvTuzHXN71LhOHXgSFsGUKeiIQWCjGKQzY2tqOaegjuVzCKOkox33MJ8GF6sDbmvL5JuX1kqg_n9Bbp_wfm7Xv33sgwoGu0-Fot8fWNTslYHJ8RK_Zih0jR-dfQ/s320/24BC4B80-FF25-4075-BA0E-596E39FE40CB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My 7th birthday party at Auntie’s house in Carmel Valley, 1989.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nfT_5FEeBbN711RS_4Icoyfku9WzhkJWcccJ2I9LXSaIULHSiGrDsNHPXzEJvf5zwKzs5f_GAaOWVbdlxKtqNkfVAKTXoYEtMm2pwZajwZURG1aWlHFkqEXX8pJLSs9KUBj0ypt-RiCSY4vPfFVlvmXqT0_mmo3OSJuDxNCv5DCcb1CAkXelSaUiFg/s3112/92A141D9-091E-44E4-9300-DF99D5003C0E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3112" data-original-width="2334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nfT_5FEeBbN711RS_4Icoyfku9WzhkJWcccJ2I9LXSaIULHSiGrDsNHPXzEJvf5zwKzs5f_GAaOWVbdlxKtqNkfVAKTXoYEtMm2pwZajwZURG1aWlHFkqEXX8pJLSs9KUBj0ypt-RiCSY4vPfFVlvmXqT0_mmo3OSJuDxNCv5DCcb1CAkXelSaUiFg/s320/92A141D9-091E-44E4-9300-DF99D5003C0E.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pool time, 2020</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kFfdzLzVSNWrhtMzKTGBe-21WAAPv6ibqU--TJ0ym8pTGl7OX8oAbxipJbJV702UbiGG7bNsl_9rmpU-wCwjX-K-Cx1bfuagaTEX5oCngVDUQOiP60J-7yDIbLEOmbDjgIXBLopGQIdut5pFxjYa9PYBhuvoI8_2d-Umv9jqcWWZv70Ocb8IY8Kpww/s2016/6489D1E1-9405-4B1C-946F-F1BFAAB7B494.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kFfdzLzVSNWrhtMzKTGBe-21WAAPv6ibqU--TJ0ym8pTGl7OX8oAbxipJbJV702UbiGG7bNsl_9rmpU-wCwjX-K-Cx1bfuagaTEX5oCngVDUQOiP60J-7yDIbLEOmbDjgIXBLopGQIdut5pFxjYa9PYBhuvoI8_2d-Umv9jqcWWZv70Ocb8IY8Kpww/s320/6489D1E1-9405-4B1C-946F-F1BFAAB7B494.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Relay for Rachael, 2017</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpaJUlZZ_cwdNumezn-kIaoD3wGcMgblKbZdOplZIKlzKUCmC2BtqjVls0qyKQ8ddFeY7sf6Dae6mS5k0mYmeOl8rOC1tab6kBffi9eAXXDO-YfvNd72aHwhptKu3XahcocQm_80DNOf38Ur-fv5udnrQB03fas6w-ukuidljM4lOxfHxMeDVuq_oxw/s3557/A0892143-2F0B-4A24-B5CA-83ED04812B1E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2490" data-original-width="3557" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpaJUlZZ_cwdNumezn-kIaoD3wGcMgblKbZdOplZIKlzKUCmC2BtqjVls0qyKQ8ddFeY7sf6Dae6mS5k0mYmeOl8rOC1tab6kBffi9eAXXDO-YfvNd72aHwhptKu3XahcocQm_80DNOf38Ur-fv5udnrQB03fas6w-ukuidljM4lOxfHxMeDVuq_oxw/s320/A0892143-2F0B-4A24-B5CA-83ED04812B1E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You have to love the 80s western wedding. Left to right: aunt Becky Dreher, uncle Tom Sullivan, my mom Katherine Anne McLachlan, great grandma Fern, aunt Erin, aunt Linda and grandma Dibbie. And yes, that’s my little pouty face in the front, I did not fulfill my flower girl duties...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXeb06LG6skqTMH7RHnahaBuOZ-h0iaiCuUnKZlziFI5OrIdJuBS7F6Mb2DU-wObEi9uU_vyww5Glw5RIV5YjlYO18yi_50sIzi0iXFVuRduTple8AUr5jx9WdEdQbqqk3gCHC9lgVA8HxFhw-yD0EUsOnZs3tmn28i6sdSOk0WNoc8IfNP0XmHEm7w/s2448/AB240D63-53AA-4A62-8117-EB814E60514E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXeb06LG6skqTMH7RHnahaBuOZ-h0iaiCuUnKZlziFI5OrIdJuBS7F6Mb2DU-wObEi9uU_vyww5Glw5RIV5YjlYO18yi_50sIzi0iXFVuRduTple8AUr5jx9WdEdQbqqk3gCHC9lgVA8HxFhw-yD0EUsOnZs3tmn28i6sdSOk0WNoc8IfNP0XmHEm7w/s320/AB240D63-53AA-4A62-8117-EB814E60514E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marin county, 2013</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXNZUdhKqVKqZLoylJby-mrZvoxu_dyOEvvkhJhHLoYnHcWBl7FyNtg4gyAgIBAN0x5qv6tsEu7s0OUquEEspv8eI4sGYx8BtfKOS_xSjb6rsHo_X8jxkL4MQdQAxZX9-dRYrV5oqYkSz_LLTTUAgIqoY5-5v5tNUcie-wqRz9kq-_N3Kz1bIac-mIQ/s4032/C59FE338-7239-4821-A78D-F47ADCF1BC9B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXNZUdhKqVKqZLoylJby-mrZvoxu_dyOEvvkhJhHLoYnHcWBl7FyNtg4gyAgIBAN0x5qv6tsEu7s0OUquEEspv8eI4sGYx8BtfKOS_xSjb6rsHo_X8jxkL4MQdQAxZX9-dRYrV5oqYkSz_LLTTUAgIqoY5-5v5tNUcie-wqRz9kq-_N3Kz1bIac-mIQ/s320/C59FE338-7239-4821-A78D-F47ADCF1BC9B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Auntie organizing the scavenger hunt at my 7th birthday party in Carmel Valley, 1989.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2TUESeFtqT2fjPOP_FfyF-D0Y_bzWzh9-OrXORVQ6b6ihOagd63qtRXHyCz3nq-9idhs2TzWXndfXLPffd8d-69cWma6Q3WmEz6QBynp9gYJCxO4D29Hn2oCB3BjcmQPzRJ8ikV4i3ljBNz2mqpzBJqaOCJ_Ck9jO-U01B7yAG3oa60oNOOuSRuoOA/s3470/CDBD43B0-635F-472B-986B-1E56A3B1222A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2603" data-original-width="3470" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2TUESeFtqT2fjPOP_FfyF-D0Y_bzWzh9-OrXORVQ6b6ihOagd63qtRXHyCz3nq-9idhs2TzWXndfXLPffd8d-69cWma6Q3WmEz6QBynp9gYJCxO4D29Hn2oCB3BjcmQPzRJ8ikV4i3ljBNz2mqpzBJqaOCJ_Ck9jO-U01B7yAG3oa60oNOOuSRuoOA/s320/CDBD43B0-635F-472B-986B-1E56A3B1222A.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Relay for Rachael, 2022</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 18.6px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 18.55px;"><br /></span></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-65944334278851047882022-04-27T17:30:00.001-07:002022-04-27T17:46:47.154-07:00Relay for Rachael 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you to my amazing runners and all of you who keep my journey moving forward. </div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMulPQkSmbcO24U2rhjbEYWd8C7SprxTprmprc2AUC82EX10Wk9bmq773s-iiwHgAfshd37WnuIQNvUAN7yB0VFzdVIia-hjpLeMj3WRiD--teUbasbtINFxJs0_OWn9IqwsIceTyyuNG070C2l4r3vTlgVjta95l8OoUDa64ASncoS81B3wZcOW48w/s2011/A488AF85-BE67-4A23-8A49-791F4DE651C3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="2011" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMulPQkSmbcO24U2rhjbEYWd8C7SprxTprmprc2AUC82EX10Wk9bmq773s-iiwHgAfshd37WnuIQNvUAN7yB0VFzdVIia-hjpLeMj3WRiD--teUbasbtINFxJs0_OWn9IqwsIceTyyuNG070C2l4r3vTlgVjta95l8OoUDa64ASncoS81B3wZcOW48w/s320/A488AF85-BE67-4A23-8A49-791F4DE651C3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFmER2oTcjXjVbw8bw-JOT1KfZQVVX3Z7SYWAi49V95wSmXug2e1px-6n8-cn6pwyDm_IRpce2imzSzeBrvqwOuW8pYArugGy6sfV-DZxexABgIHueQL6JMQS1ZpryGyWSYpVeTFXodWgR6Y2HWi1xApChmgesxB1fmpU2u47IVSGpqgepHceBMS2Yg/s3347/96519BA3-F1FA-4CC8-AC09-21157A1949DC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3347" data-original-width="2510" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFmER2oTcjXjVbw8bw-JOT1KfZQVVX3Z7SYWAi49V95wSmXug2e1px-6n8-cn6pwyDm_IRpce2imzSzeBrvqwOuW8pYArugGy6sfV-DZxexABgIHueQL6JMQS1ZpryGyWSYpVeTFXodWgR6Y2HWi1xApChmgesxB1fmpU2u47IVSGpqgepHceBMS2Yg/s320/96519BA3-F1FA-4CC8-AC09-21157A1949DC.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAJQUKTfXEr8azl_u2w7ulmrWNF6ma9Q8dX9ieOZamNl2ykExRaCzpmP3aFgsU8Vv6bcpX-Qg4a0CVj_cq9055jTZiOPskeZnh1IlSNdxs3dn2E0PYeFueVf7U4cZCTc7TpYa_jPhwRy9r5X3-RVKjJHkZpeNaRbHk9v0zZPMRwUzVKBMUYgqjyic2w/s3405/58974C2F-83C8-4C39-AF94-B164BFE1CC08.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3405" data-original-width="2554" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAJQUKTfXEr8azl_u2w7ulmrWNF6ma9Q8dX9ieOZamNl2ykExRaCzpmP3aFgsU8Vv6bcpX-Qg4a0CVj_cq9055jTZiOPskeZnh1IlSNdxs3dn2E0PYeFueVf7U4cZCTc7TpYa_jPhwRy9r5X3-RVKjJHkZpeNaRbHk9v0zZPMRwUzVKBMUYgqjyic2w/s320/58974C2F-83C8-4C39-AF94-B164BFE1CC08.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Team Pfeiffer fire! The fastest team! Thank you to<a href="https://thetreadmill.com/" target="_blank"> the Treadmill</a> for giving my winning team new shoes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqzS9bw_HV5LXRKcuo0smgpULLWz963kdyHCMPC878DDCx2LZI7wLITqUn_Ki18_pFXOItxyAGGhz79sOXIJH8fNZHThSEveYfI_psiPT1AHw9cBwsT9OHMdZsvlxhdFhg9xc-b-0DOgq2SbN82tM_GaXRF3CQf03drDwo-Ws_71FnwtVbEQpyxVwnQ/s1024/180869A6-8EEF-47F3-B965-53DCC81E5F3F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="771" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqzS9bw_HV5LXRKcuo0smgpULLWz963kdyHCMPC878DDCx2LZI7wLITqUn_Ki18_pFXOItxyAGGhz79sOXIJH8fNZHThSEveYfI_psiPT1AHw9cBwsT9OHMdZsvlxhdFhg9xc-b-0DOgq2SbN82tM_GaXRF3CQf03drDwo-Ws_71FnwtVbEQpyxVwnQ/s320/180869A6-8EEF-47F3-B965-53DCC81E5F3F.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CNGV1gdEoePZPLegn-z0I_YU2ZvqCKRjGWuvOs8QDIv7naj07WOAjGkvaZMD24tONrjteprvoayUgOKBTwNJaw_5d4e82BsvimbCVbFA6ODIF4-wUDDh3W0bQJQ8wMadDZWWuKyTvvP7bNwo34wxJePf6nve4dIPziwl5-Nze8d5An0MbiUshYXlXg/s2414/E6DC4DBE-E09B-4643-BD97-A9115214BA04.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2414" data-original-width="1812" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CNGV1gdEoePZPLegn-z0I_YU2ZvqCKRjGWuvOs8QDIv7naj07WOAjGkvaZMD24tONrjteprvoayUgOKBTwNJaw_5d4e82BsvimbCVbFA6ODIF4-wUDDh3W0bQJQ8wMadDZWWuKyTvvP7bNwo34wxJePf6nve4dIPziwl5-Nze8d5An0MbiUshYXlXg/s320/E6DC4DBE-E09B-4643-BD97-A9115214BA04.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shawn and Jon’s first Marathons!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbmvDjMPa_203k5Rser5GwErux5N2CCwuNsmVu6DYg2sjUvngCJz2e2vgeP7TCaLT9qYwWwKedfagFD0hlZ0sgc9aUK-K8u3GxwtFnfBKFhVqF8rRO3lDk-KoYIT6CEDS95w6xrAqCNklnB7W-5sSHSwH2EDyqFdp6tNCQ2zB3yuvfP1Sj8wYw5rUyA/s868/9F951EEA-19A5-4DA5-A6D8-49EE28AF1839.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="579" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbmvDjMPa_203k5Rser5GwErux5N2CCwuNsmVu6DYg2sjUvngCJz2e2vgeP7TCaLT9qYwWwKedfagFD0hlZ0sgc9aUK-K8u3GxwtFnfBKFhVqF8rRO3lDk-KoYIT6CEDS95w6xrAqCNklnB7W-5sSHSwH2EDyqFdp6tNCQ2zB3yuvfP1Sj8wYw5rUyA/s320/9F951EEA-19A5-4DA5-A6D8-49EE28AF1839.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Best caregiver a quad could ask for 😊</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy_Plagql-leTNr4ndJm75GdldUaJN0ZHi8ZpS-CkdgJrEP2BG9o16wZ56y10RCdPjLlrlCbGdYBQMf9exebmlsy00q1-MeukpiUZLfqfJNm7V_kgrFVAPDhqAlX4-W-KYzsJRpnkoj8i_eZGvpEeiLAlbbh6TtySjHC7hPjSWlN3e9-qH8k0tGt_Mw/s2992/E65B9239-BEEA-43BC-AFB5-6544F23E3AC0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2243" data-original-width="2992" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy_Plagql-leTNr4ndJm75GdldUaJN0ZHi8ZpS-CkdgJrEP2BG9o16wZ56y10RCdPjLlrlCbGdYBQMf9exebmlsy00q1-MeukpiUZLfqfJNm7V_kgrFVAPDhqAlX4-W-KYzsJRpnkoj8i_eZGvpEeiLAlbbh6TtySjHC7hPjSWlN3e9-qH8k0tGt_Mw/s320/E65B9239-BEEA-43BC-AFB5-6544F23E3AC0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5Gj0wI3dHcudF2elRoBY7NooLotLZX0NaJp8EjhsvlYeGEoh95f3JF2UaD4hVywMiF701OGGzuH0YWqqZ2dUXNDwft-I-a3m-yaE6OwSeTRaSXfAB0da7Itx8klgHskLYh13FsgAbdvEsXcuMKPcOcu33PPzVDRn_7_E8zVQv4-fciXzsu_8Hp3UxQ/s4032/6973B68A-B66D-47A4-A51F-C86856E499A5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5Gj0wI3dHcudF2elRoBY7NooLotLZX0NaJp8EjhsvlYeGEoh95f3JF2UaD4hVywMiF701OGGzuH0YWqqZ2dUXNDwft-I-a3m-yaE6OwSeTRaSXfAB0da7Itx8klgHskLYh13FsgAbdvEsXcuMKPcOcu33PPzVDRn_7_E8zVQv4-fciXzsu_8Hp3UxQ/s320/6973B68A-B66D-47A4-A51F-C86856E499A5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Thank you for making my <a href="https://relayforrachael.com/" target="_blank">Relay for Rachael</a> 2022 such a success! It was so nice to be back at the Big Sur marathon! My runners did amazing and i’m so inspired and proud of them. I’m also extremely grateful for the 350+ donors who helped me raise nearly $50k and the donations are still rolling in. I’m confident we’ll hit our goal this year and have future events in the works. It’s never too late or too little. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I feel so fortunate to have the support of so many, I know most people don’t have that and I am grateful every day for what I have. Thank you for your continued support while I continue on this journey.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Team Pfeiffer fire was the fastest team and received shoes from the Treadmill! Team Soberanes fire came in right behind them, they’re ready for revenge next year! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Shawn Cronin and Jon Wescott both ran their first marathons! Congratulations to you both! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Thank you to Hacienda in Carmel Valley for hosting my Friday night dinner and to Mama J and Tbird for the delicious pasta dinner and to The Treadmill for the shoes.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It truly takes a village, and mine is the best. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Be the Light</span></p></div><br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-51493884169703902732022-03-23T18:44:00.000-07:002022-03-23T18:44:25.111-07:00 Relay for Rachael 2022<p>After two years, we are so excited to be back at the Big Sur marathon on Sunday, April 24th! Shout out to my amazing runners who are already training hard and raising funds for my ongoing care and rehab. I couldn’t do it without you!</p><p>5 marathon runners!</p><p>16 relay runners!</p><p>1 runner doing the 11 miler!</p><p>1 runner doing 100 mile virtual challenge in April!</p><p>Save the date! Annual pasta dinner with the runners! This year at Hacienda in Carmel Valley. Friday, April 22nd!</p><p>Tickets <a href="https://events.helphopelive.org/event/5566/signup/" target="_blank">here</a></p><p>✨To donate visit: <a href="http://www.relayforrachael.com" target="_blank">www.relayforrachael.com</a>✨</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SzMe6NsLZGVNWn3y4SE_JLbnEagMT-MNOPWMDRBn_j-TWp7gj9HnnIJDf5jXMoCWV8fI8aWxyG76bo6xvTYXaJxgkHQv3nDnxFz0Ec4ts_jIAC9mondbLXEMfoC9i7olP7Rd_6kAiDbkp58X6r1oh5HoPJ8Hx0pggjuMXqsrgwByOC-QekphIw43iQ/s1877/A8035E1B-9945-4FB1-B594-55E1CE54BD86.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1877" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SzMe6NsLZGVNWn3y4SE_JLbnEagMT-MNOPWMDRBn_j-TWp7gj9HnnIJDf5jXMoCWV8fI8aWxyG76bo6xvTYXaJxgkHQv3nDnxFz0Ec4ts_jIAC9mondbLXEMfoC9i7olP7Rd_6kAiDbkp58X6r1oh5HoPJ8Hx0pggjuMXqsrgwByOC-QekphIw43iQ/s320/A8035E1B-9945-4FB1-B594-55E1CE54BD86.jpeg" width="199" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-8019973144640383112021-10-31T09:00:00.024-07:002022-02-19T18:29:47.948-08:0011 year “crashiversary”<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">11 years ago Halloween was on a Sunday, this is the first year since that day that it has fallen on a Sunday again. I have played that day over and over again in my head. It was a good day.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;">It<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> has been nice to return to some normalcy after another confusing year. I have been trying to set time aside to photograph in nature again, if I don’t schedule it in it won’t happen. My creative time is the first to get pushed aside when life gets hectic. I currently have an exhibit up at </span><a href="https://www.altamonterey.com/" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;" target="_blank">Alta bakery</a><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> in Monterey (new work going up in January). It has been nice exploring the historic Cooper Adobe buildings and hanging out in the courtyard, while enjoying delicious food and sharing my artwork. My 2022 calendars are ready to go and are available in my </span><a href="https://www.rachaelshort.com/shop" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;" target="_blank">online shop</a><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">, remember they make great gifts! (How is it going to be 2022!?)</span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Rehab update:</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I look back to where I was last year and i’m happy to say, i’m doing much better. Last October started five months of pain in my body and i’m still not sure the cause. With spinal cord injuries we experience something called autonomic dysreflexia, it’s the way our body feels pain. For me this is profuse sweating where I have full sensation, from the chest up. Every night I usually experience AD for an hour or two but for those four-five months it was happening the entire night. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The one big change that occurred before these intense months of pain was lack of physical therapy and exercise due to the pandemic. I was out of the pool for a year (I returned in February 2021). The bodywork and therapies I needed to stay healthy and pain-free weren’t available. It was a huge reminder of why I am doing what I am doing every day and why it is so important. As soon as I started getting more exercise and back in the pool the intense sweating stopped. I am so thankful every day for the movement I am able to get. This is only possible because I have the financial support and encouragement from my community and friends. It truly does take a village, and because of you, the journey continues…</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">‘‘We need to be angels for each other, to give each other strength and consolation. Because only when we fully realize that the cup of life is not only a cup of sorrow but also a cup of joy will we be able to drink it.’’</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> -HENRI NOUWEN</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1NOe_VHjdBhtVCLu86rMFU68LhtAQafFGBy4isOdvV2WqaZpmtD5K6oTAfA5qh-gJV89X3bP9L9DHcDljwMrO8jxipPN1jePJXlK02ZKPu3IEXwX6Wf5LLv4CsCAfy3Wl-O0GiCJT9Sj/s1773/F8CA3F19-B6C9-4795-A98C-FFBA404BB2D0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="1773" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1NOe_VHjdBhtVCLu86rMFU68LhtAQafFGBy4isOdvV2WqaZpmtD5K6oTAfA5qh-gJV89X3bP9L9DHcDljwMrO8jxipPN1jePJXlK02ZKPu3IEXwX6Wf5LLv4CsCAfy3Wl-O0GiCJT9Sj/s320/F8CA3F19-B6C9-4795-A98C-FFBA404BB2D0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At Alta Bakery in Monterey </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxt7ADcXkn0hJ1IuFf_PMNiGk30AB6xdITP1tX6b5eqp9yLXdgwF2Me5VU0RPaAs9Hp-go23NfadnOF72UBZ08Xs1Sm5knTmjykrWcxuQlbprIT0N83pl9Qog-Xk8Nfo17ABLAPIvD66o/s2048/FE369B98-DB50-4E7C-96AA-D08C06D5542C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxt7ADcXkn0hJ1IuFf_PMNiGk30AB6xdITP1tX6b5eqp9yLXdgwF2Me5VU0RPaAs9Hp-go23NfadnOF72UBZ08Xs1Sm5knTmjykrWcxuQlbprIT0N83pl9Qog-Xk8Nfo17ABLAPIvD66o/s320/FE369B98-DB50-4E7C-96AA-D08C06D5542C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holy, Holey Tree, 2021</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQewVW7QvuiGi_QOGzl1dq4EpJMl2UfBvmHpCKOEBI5_kFhLipYvh3bmiEN_RMsHMuA5DYLCdRLZHE4853bbnS-WbOpUUtDsYVTHxIAR9KMt7bhU0rrRCTpr0nTGtBOmN6dkG1qv4567Rs/s2048/E8B01ECF-E421-43B8-9F9E-77B3AD88503A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2019" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQewVW7QvuiGi_QOGzl1dq4EpJMl2UfBvmHpCKOEBI5_kFhLipYvh3bmiEN_RMsHMuA5DYLCdRLZHE4853bbnS-WbOpUUtDsYVTHxIAR9KMt7bhU0rrRCTpr0nTGtBOmN6dkG1qv4567Rs/s320/E8B01ECF-E421-43B8-9F9E-77B3AD88503A.jpeg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me photographing the above image at Palo Corona regional park.</div><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-29552392977202361852021-07-15T16:32:00.008-07:002021-10-16T17:33:01.082-07:00100 mile challenge wrap up!<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>They did it! </b></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;">Most of my runners reached 100 miles (there were some injuries along the way 😢). One runner said they were going to collapse into a fetal position and whimper when they finished their 100 miles on June 30th, but they did it 😝! I’m so inspired and proud of them. I’m also extremely grateful to the 300+ donors that helped me reach my goal of $50k, to help pay for my 24hr care and physical therapy. I feel fortunate to have the support of so many, I know most people don’t have that. I am grateful every day for the movement that I get, to keep my mind and body healthy.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">A huge shout out to the<a href="https://www.bigsurriverinn.com/" target="_blank"> Big Sur River Inn</a> for their continued support and for hosting the fundraising barbecue on July 9th! And many thanks to <a href="https://www.thebitterginger.com/" target="_blank">the Bitter Ginger</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesaucymaiden/" target="_blank">the Saucy Maiden</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therandompickler/" target="_blank">the Random Pickler</a> for their food and wine donations.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Thank you for BEing my light!</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">💜 Rachael</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4IktiazqsQFnOBhsZfSk1rwzk49i46nEUlP4x5h006txWsf6MNi3dOj69N5klEOhftXcw5ruYvHgufCu0lJl6rSDeav0ZVtz4OoNbdymEP5s4l9_qjnEfYfRWEBXU6lJDfT6nMJi4ADx/s2048/D7612CF5-420C-47E6-A3C1-A81B89D3080E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1676" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4IktiazqsQFnOBhsZfSk1rwzk49i46nEUlP4x5h006txWsf6MNi3dOj69N5klEOhftXcw5ruYvHgufCu0lJl6rSDeav0ZVtz4OoNbdymEP5s4l9_qjnEfYfRWEBXU6lJDfT6nMJi4ADx/w328-h400/D7612CF5-420C-47E6-A3C1-A81B89D3080E.jpeg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1GrYRymIU9rNWfs-PgWdbn0D3Q8_73fTw5ByVeeLklKGzWn6ujXKUNbqm4rHhV2yYYmdSOpxuJLe13gyI8_39_Oz6nuPccdFMKMh8trKb1GGTCeAusmwfirpU7MNxZ0bcnlg_ohOVrce/s2048/FE21DF09-0A89-4097-8912-3FAEBBCD2B5A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1GrYRymIU9rNWfs-PgWdbn0D3Q8_73fTw5ByVeeLklKGzWn6ujXKUNbqm4rHhV2yYYmdSOpxuJLe13gyI8_39_Oz6nuPccdFMKMh8trKb1GGTCeAusmwfirpU7MNxZ0bcnlg_ohOVrce/w400-h400/FE21DF09-0A89-4097-8912-3FAEBBCD2B5A.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi8Bg8pm8zqfEPZmJlzdKZnv1UDi9l-kVZLKnJciAa7KhRuSDbPJlRS9ZTuwCo3jKh6oOFv6sGv1c1xqEO5UVhWCwA6qVvlS4Qxm6ATuKcH3aImmJswpluTpwl5-HIZXfyCoqZELxVQbR/s2048/A1E47183-6ED8-4203-8042-1D034FAD4EA7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi8Bg8pm8zqfEPZmJlzdKZnv1UDi9l-kVZLKnJciAa7KhRuSDbPJlRS9ZTuwCo3jKh6oOFv6sGv1c1xqEO5UVhWCwA6qVvlS4Qxm6ATuKcH3aImmJswpluTpwl5-HIZXfyCoqZELxVQbR/w400-h300/A1E47183-6ED8-4203-8042-1D034FAD4EA7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdJ5FJB6n5j9VxoMN4Sl301mpTGNRTXVnzOFiU9jjX49_y2XT56IX-P71_34taqQPUYjaDkN1k3kfQ_LMRArlOrdV4OvqWHko2Hp1ZH4Nn3iY_TuGHO4_6f3i18H9Qeh-a-j7N0_D3IWR/s960/E451968E-88BC-4C7D-8114-20E910081971.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdJ5FJB6n5j9VxoMN4Sl301mpTGNRTXVnzOFiU9jjX49_y2XT56IX-P71_34taqQPUYjaDkN1k3kfQ_LMRArlOrdV4OvqWHko2Hp1ZH4Nn3iY_TuGHO4_6f3i18H9Qeh-a-j7N0_D3IWR/w400-h300/E451968E-88BC-4C7D-8114-20E910081971.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dJ8dHX1oN7LPZ1_NoGdcS0Gr0ey6ruXbZ-4hYy_vJWrq8veLiMwzQl6QE6VzqGxlE9Rl9fRTk5ZMkd2-ZZXk-79sz3OtHBLVy3fJj92YGPeFPhug4oytU-B-kimkXPOEswx6QSoJ664B/s1125/FC4E75B9-F770-4C94-A513-E1365B44C770.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1125" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dJ8dHX1oN7LPZ1_NoGdcS0Gr0ey6ruXbZ-4hYy_vJWrq8veLiMwzQl6QE6VzqGxlE9Rl9fRTk5ZMkd2-ZZXk-79sz3OtHBLVy3fJj92YGPeFPhug4oytU-B-kimkXPOEswx6QSoJ664B/w400-h290/FC4E75B9-F770-4C94-A513-E1365B44C770.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span class="s1"><br /></span><p></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-87837941490842489562021-04-19T17:23:00.004-07:002021-04-19T17:25:36.406-07:00Relay for Rachael Road Runner challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TtC-MvLa9Yhlu6IjKWrLVrPJzK3s4BFBS341gyaUde94wfs7uNFT9-llZIEniDzwj0iftOeJm1VLeoPxMZTrv-iAUVcnV0wjVi96W0dpWv_T91G0JtFiwqAoYvncYd4TTbRJ1mV3W9au/s2048/95B94462-6B2F-4734-9AA2-4AA024D1A92A.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TtC-MvLa9Yhlu6IjKWrLVrPJzK3s4BFBS341gyaUde94wfs7uNFT9-llZIEniDzwj0iftOeJm1VLeoPxMZTrv-iAUVcnV0wjVi96W0dpWv_T91G0JtFiwqAoYvncYd4TTbRJ1mV3W9au/w400-h225/95B94462-6B2F-4734-9AA2-4AA024D1A92A.png" width="400" /></a></div><p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;">Relay for Rachael Roadrunner Challenge!</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">The challenge:</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">100 miles in June</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">This would’ve been the 11th annual Relay for Rachael fundraiser at the Big Sur marathon at the end of April but since the marathon was canceled again this year we will be going virtual in June with the Roadrunner 100 mile challenge. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">The challenge concept is simple, complete 100 miles in June with the same goal of raising funds to help with Rachael’s ongoing care and physical therapy after a car accident left her a quadriplegic in 2010. Thank you for BEing the light! </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1">More info on how to donate and participate:<a href="https://relayforrachael.com/" target="_blank"> www.relayforrachael.com</a></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-3573399287239134092020-11-02T18:21:00.006-08:002021-04-09T17:11:44.835-07:00 10 year crashiversary<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;">And just like that a decade has gone by. If they keep speeding by like this I will be 80 in no time! Half my adult life I have been paralyzed and still every day when I wake up it seems surreal. Is this my life? </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">This year has been nuts for everyone. For me it started out with a pressure sore on my tailbone in January forcing me to stay home and off my backside. I was able to start venturing out again right when the pandemic hit in March. Damn. More than anything I miss being able to go to pool, 92 degrees of wonderfulness. I had no idea how much going to the pool twice a week kept my pain level down and my spirits up. Just like everyone I am riding the “corona wave” and I look forward to some normalcy again.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;">My 2021 calendars are at the printers right now and I have updated my “window display” at <a href="https://www.galleryexposed.com/" target="_blank">Gallery Exposed</a> with my photography. Currently i’m only in the gallery by appointment but thanks to my $100 print sales I have been able to continue paying rent. Check out the <a href="https://www.rachaelshort.com/shop" target="_blank">shop</a> on my website or my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rachshort/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for updates on the sales.<span class="s2"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Every year on my crashiversary I remember my last day of independence. The simplicity of that day and the fun that I had. In honor of the 10 year crashiversary I wore my purple boots again, the same pair I wore on the red deck of Nepenthe that night. Ironically my clothes were cut off either in the helicopter or at the hospital but they saved the boots, because these boots were made for walking...they are just on a break right now.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-ucJa2x7A7Oq5KhgC22sMhq1s468_sEmdqwVC8VWyd-zFHhd9tMrSbxQXz1VJmmGPU_fbvX6j_HKUd8HiQWVv7j49udlaixREHxiopXpAhj2xmSZoyaLEmeeE8VdLMVRZyDLOo5zt5Kq/s960/05FE7E85-C998-47C4-BCC9-5B36BB3EA5AF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-ucJa2x7A7Oq5KhgC22sMhq1s468_sEmdqwVC8VWyd-zFHhd9tMrSbxQXz1VJmmGPU_fbvX6j_HKUd8HiQWVv7j49udlaixREHxiopXpAhj2xmSZoyaLEmeeE8VdLMVRZyDLOo5zt5Kq/w480-h640/05FE7E85-C998-47C4-BCC9-5B36BB3EA5AF.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span class="s2"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><br /></span></p>Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-65778797634622114582020-10-06T16:37:00.005-07:002020-10-06T16:42:16.981-07:00Relay for Rachael virtual fundraiser <p> Thank you to all who participated and donated to my virtual fundraiser on September 20th. It was a huge success and during these challenging times I am even more grateful for your continued support. I say it over and over again but I couldn’t do this without you. Every penny donated goes into the pockets of my caregivers and trainers who help me get through my days. I loved receiving the photos and videos of people getting movement for me. You inspire me to keep on keeping on.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P2j_nfOCZHg" width="320" youtube-src-id="P2j_nfOCZHg"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2c2HEVEsCH85SKUHI0ULH432rmhCdOUR86c0p26VjMxpagBg_BT2Ohlfva5C0v1ssT-SduK8eZzq1vRgw2imRRE-ZvoHozCcttUHmJ2qgEZrhdZqK25i1xMydj9b74RiM5hXjC8FuMnu/s2048/3D0EF226-4177-4D06-80E5-4C66E2F851A3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2c2HEVEsCH85SKUHI0ULH432rmhCdOUR86c0p26VjMxpagBg_BT2Ohlfva5C0v1ssT-SduK8eZzq1vRgw2imRRE-ZvoHozCcttUHmJ2qgEZrhdZqK25i1xMydj9b74RiM5hXjC8FuMnu/s320/3D0EF226-4177-4D06-80E5-4C66E2F851A3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j0sEjzvjVJX7wR3RHEC8E5dNOn0NsQT2BxXbNfXgT4W7sMzCgmjaPAM66x6MD8Ru9qXcYBD2r0o5Vl3FCx1C0ILHERyyK1lUaMlOUwXwPQIHtYMjq0fkdc6W1fEdSR4IViZFfuS4OwXK/s2048/918AED3F-B3DC-4E92-A62A-0EBE87298D0A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j0sEjzvjVJX7wR3RHEC8E5dNOn0NsQT2BxXbNfXgT4W7sMzCgmjaPAM66x6MD8Ru9qXcYBD2r0o5Vl3FCx1C0ILHERyyK1lUaMlOUwXwPQIHtYMjq0fkdc6W1fEdSR4IViZFfuS4OwXK/s320/918AED3F-B3DC-4E92-A62A-0EBE87298D0A.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2u-bIhHruwz_mH2hwqbtzsqbmq4j4-JKhCddpdrpLjzP1a30XYDTMRlblaNLax_nLftAXm9BZ0FHxnsMEGN0M78VDXhlRJDq7eSL9XA0PBJeJXxPAkfsotYjIo53TNZuoXLotzJVei45/s2048/F9219E38-2639-4580-B272-3D43B4C430B3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2u-bIhHruwz_mH2hwqbtzsqbmq4j4-JKhCddpdrpLjzP1a30XYDTMRlblaNLax_nLftAXm9BZ0FHxnsMEGN0M78VDXhlRJDq7eSL9XA0PBJeJXxPAkfsotYjIo53TNZuoXLotzJVei45/s320/F9219E38-2639-4580-B272-3D43B4C430B3.jpeg" /></a></div><br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-74103146194063928682020-07-11T17:54:00.004-07:002020-07-11T17:56:34.534-07:00Relay for Rachael Virtual Run! 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<span class="s1">Relay for Rachael Virtual Run! Sunday, September 20th, 2020 at 10am!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">With the marathon being cancelled in April due to the pandemic and then cancelled again for the November 15th date we are doing a virtual run with the same goal of raising funds to help with Rachael‘s ongoing care and physical therapy after a car accident left her a quadriplegic in 2010.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In honor of the 10th year we are doing a 10 mile run, walk, hike, skip. You can do the 10 miles yourself or break it up as a relay with friends/family. Everyone will start around 10 AM from a location of their choice and we are hoping people will share photos and videos of their run (or walk, hike, skip) on social media and more importantly, have fun!</span><br />
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Donations can be made at:<a href="https://relayforrachael.com/" target="_blank">https://relayforrachael.com/</a></div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-78385859208339683212020-05-25T18:04:00.003-07:002020-05-25T18:05:49.288-07:00Rescheduled Relay fundraiser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Big Sur marathon has been rescheduled until November 15, 2020 so my annual relay fundraiser will be postponed until then. I am so grateful for the donations still coming in at <a href="http://www.relayforrachael.com/">www.relayforrachael.com</a> to help with my cost of care even though the fundraiser has been postponed. I couldn’t do it without you! Thank you for BEing the light!</div>
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<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-89666110624588029912020-04-11T18:55:00.003-07:002021-10-16T17:44:52.605-07:00Covid-19...strange times.<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">I’ve had my life change in a moment so I am not new to adapting. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here we are on day 25 of the stay at home order in California. I try not to think about natural disasters or emergencies because it stresses me out, what will I do if I can’t get the care that I need? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I’ve lived through fires, floods and earthquakes but never with a spinal cord injury. I can now say I’ve lived through a pandemic (fingers crossed :) and social distancing is not an option for me. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Luckily my caregivers are here for me and have been staying healthy. I have 8 people in and out of my house throughout the week plus family members. All I can do is disinfect surfaces and hope that they are being careful when they are not here. Once again my life is very different than most. In the last 10 years I’ve maybe been in a grocery store 10 times, I oddly miss it, but in times like this I am very grateful to have the help that I do. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I miss the movement that I am not getting currently from the pool and different therapies but this is pushing me to get as much movement on my own which is my ultimate goal here. Thanks Covid-19 for making me think outside the box once again on how to get the movement I need to stay healthy.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This time of year I would normally be posting about my annual Relay fundraiser at the Big Sur International Marathon. My runners would be hitting Highway 1 on the last Sunday of April to raise funds for my ongoing care and physical therapy. We started the fundraiser back in January so fortunately I was able to raise some funds before the pandemic, and we should be hearing the rescheduled date soon. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I hope you and yours are staying healthy and sane during these very different times. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Stay home my friends and I will see you on the flipside...and now more than ever it is important to remember to be the light.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weird things you get yourself into during a pandemic.</td></tr>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-53522648917310607832020-02-17T16:58:00.002-08:002020-02-18T16:17:42.746-08:0010th annual Relay for Rachael!<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">The 10th annual Relay for Rachael is here! This year we have 8 teams, the most ever! Again as I say every year I couldn’t do it without you. Every penny donated goes into the pockets of people who work with me...my caregivers, my trainers, all of the people who get me up and moving every day. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">My runners hit Highway 1 on Sunday, April 26th to help raise funds for my ongoing care. Donations can be made at <a href="http://www.relayforrachael.com/">www.relayforrachael.com</a>. We will also be having a fundraising dinner at the Carmel Valley Lodge in Carmel Valley on Friday, April 24th. Details to come.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">As hard as I work at staying healthy unfortunately I have let my health slip this past year. With stress from the move and not having enough care I ended up with a pressure sore in the beginning of January, damn it. It’s what i’ve worked so hard to avoid over the past nine years...i’m taking this as a learning lesson, as is life, and I will heal this thing. I’ve had to reevaluate alot of things, i’m not able to sit in my chair for very long and I need to eat more food (for the padding :). I don’t know how long it will take to heal but i’m doing everything possible to allow it to. I miss the gallery, I miss doing photography, I miss getting out in the community, but this to shall pass. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Thank you for your support, your love and for being the light. I feel it.</span></div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-90559792125970235232020-02-07T18:26:00.000-08:002020-02-07T18:26:06.726-08:00Sean Cheng <div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">I lost a dear friend. But he was more than a friend, he gave me hope when I needed it the most. He came into my life six months after my injury in 2010 and laid the foundation for my rehab that I continue with today. He lived with me for a year and we exercised everyday. He would often ask me “Are you Rachael weak or Rachael strong?”. Every night would end with him massaging my legs and feet and he would tell me that I had the happiest feet in the world. Sean was 74 years old and was found dead on the beach in Half Moon Bay on January 24th still strapped to his paddleboard. Apparently he had taken up paddle boarding a few months ago, that’s the type of guy Sean was. He exercised every day, he swam, biked, did tai chi, he was always active. He was a man of many strengths and talents. He had served in the Air Force in the Chinese military, studied neo-confucianism and later in life he became a personal trainer and CNA to help people with paralysis. In the last email I received from him he stated “Time fly, too fast, I feel there are only two days a week, two weeks a month, four months a year.” I told him I understood completely and felt the same way. I would’ve never met this man if I hadn’t been in that car accident. These are the gifts I will take from this life. Thank you Sean for your dedication, your love and your encouragement. I would not be where I am today without you. You are the light.</span></div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-22866446366862981512019-11-01T17:23:00.002-07:002019-11-21T16:55:34.840-08:009 years...huh?<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">Well it has been 9 years since my injury and i’m not sure how I feel about that, it seems fast but also seems like a lifetime ago. I have finally moved after what feels like forever of wondering where I would go. This has forced me to go through boxes that were packed at the time of my accident, boxes I put away and never wanted to go through. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Any note I hand wrote I want to keep, remembering how simple and easy it once was to write a letter. Time to say goodbye to the camera gear, the surfboards, the snowboard, the camping gear… memories from a different life, and now it is time to “Marie Kondo” this stuff, thank these items for the joy they brought me and let them go. Saying goodbye to my truck was especially hard, and it’s so silly to be attached to a truck but it represented so much more, it’s time to let that go too. Letting these things go and moving on does make me feel better, it’s ok, everything will be fine, just different. It has been 9 years! It’s time...</span></div>
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<span class="s1">With all the distractions from the move it has been hard to focus on my body but everyday I make sure I get standing, stretch it out and try to breathe. It has almost been 6 months since the move, I still don’t have a bathroom sink (and had 2 months with no indoor shower!) but I nearly have my greenhouse turned gym put back together and my dream cottage is finally feeling like home. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">This was a long process and took the help of many to make my new place accessible. I couldn’t have done it without the people who donated to my fundraiser last fall for my home modifications and to these generous people:<a href="https://www.travisroyfoundation.org/" target="_blank"> Travis Roy foundation</a>, </span>my family (especially my dad), <a href="https://www.bigsurriverinn.com/" target="_blank">Big Sur River Inn</a>, Eric Arnett, Tevye Morgenrath, Travis Trapkus, Belleci plumbing, Cordrey construction, Jenkins plastering, Kendra Morgenrath, Lyra Ordjonikidze, Aengus Wagner, Cyrus Bell, Kodiak Greenwood, Myles Lerner, Blaze Engineering, Will Drew, Jon Hyland, Alex Short, Cody Kenyon, Rob Acosta, Lyle Southall, Andy Perez, Dakota Michelson and many many more. Thank you!<br />
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<span class="s1">Back in May I had the amazing opportunity to work with Apple. They came down and wrote an article about me and my iPhone photography. You can read that <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/05/photographer-rachael-short-explores-the-beauty-of-simplicity-with-iphone/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. In July I saw Hamilton in San Francisco, it was amazing! In September we celebrated 10 years at Gallery Exposed, the gallery Evynn LeValley and I opened in 2009, a year before my injury and I recently just returned from a trip down to LA to visit my best friend and her beautiful growing family. I am grateful for these new memories and I cherish the old. Life continues on, in every unexpected way that it can... BE THE LIGHT.</span></div>
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To make a donation to my ongoing care and rehab you can send a check to:</div>
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Rachael Short SNT</div>
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PO Box 6445</div>
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Carmel, California 93921</div>
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or donate online at:</div>
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<a href="https://relayforrachael.com/">https://relayforrachael.com/</a></div>
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Thank you for being the light!</div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-49220461489513844472019-05-05T17:52:00.000-07:002019-05-06T17:00:10.383-07:009th Annual Relay for Rachael wrap up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px;">People often ask how do you do it? How do you keep going everyday?</span></div>
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I do it because thankfully I have the support that allows me to. For me there was never another option, I do it because I am here and I am going to do the best I can. I do it because I don’t know any other way. I do it because I want to gain back as much movement as possible. To me it is a silly question because I will never give up. I am running this marathon called “journey back from paralysis” to the very end.</div>
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<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
My biggest obstacle is finding caregivers and trainers who can keep up with me! I work hard everyday and I need the help of many to get me through my days. My relay/marathon annual fundraiser helps me pay everyone who helps me daily. Currently I employ 5 caregivers and 4 trainers! It really is a full time job advocating for myself and finding the help I need daily to become stronger. I understand why people give up, it is really hard work and cost a lot of money. By the end of the day I am exhausted and I am constantly worried about finances. The relay for Rachael eases the financial stress and motivates me to KEEP PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER EVERYDAY. Thank you for BEing my light.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzIdqa-NxC2-4N2jaSOFUOSbfz7XIRvxyrBiJ8M6V-kNBWGwJyybAk7xZNWOfEf2ZII4lq0Shno5g1VyBkLF5th_LX4bxi3xYrEROBC4E4aKrmz7gMUEC6P9l8W9CyMbGUtU1R7bVAVnc/s1600/AA9F7CDA-EDC4-4CB5-B6D9-57F1E9B639A3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzIdqa-NxC2-4N2jaSOFUOSbfz7XIRvxyrBiJ8M6V-kNBWGwJyybAk7xZNWOfEf2ZII4lq0Shno5g1VyBkLF5th_LX4bxi3xYrEROBC4E4aKrmz7gMUEC6P9l8W9CyMbGUtU1R7bVAVnc/s320/AA9F7CDA-EDC4-4CB5-B6D9-57F1E9B639A3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday Night Pasta Dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE2RbCkVD0hqeHUT5x7ggsLmn9T308osMZ0rOVjTT9h5t3FJufExqSCvYxZ-OEBWpPzWTBptAL8A0XPcvwOPR0UN9Yy6lST2h81fwsas5pPlbf040Qo57vzSqgDPULW-IBunVUo2PEgCJ/s1600/D082D11C-9B3F-45EF-BD7F-1D629AE9A403.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE2RbCkVD0hqeHUT5x7ggsLmn9T308osMZ0rOVjTT9h5t3FJufExqSCvYxZ-OEBWpPzWTBptAL8A0XPcvwOPR0UN9Yy6lST2h81fwsas5pPlbf040Qo57vzSqgDPULW-IBunVUo2PEgCJ/s320/D082D11C-9B3F-45EF-BD7F-1D629AE9A403.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These people work behind the scenes <br />
and help me get my movement daily! <br />
Thank You!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgKhqv_wSeA2sG04eHRO-cEK4AEAyXcy2piEJ7pCJo091G_BzGLh14Jg_6rBUgjoVvJGiXm6qXasCId4hjWApx8r78HFi38xvthRNHfyShv447FbvEplvSBKDlk3yyQdsMg1SVAG6VXAX/s1600/1B56D527-DE4B-4106-A52B-2C24E83CD7A6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgKhqv_wSeA2sG04eHRO-cEK4AEAyXcy2piEJ7pCJo091G_BzGLh14Jg_6rBUgjoVvJGiXm6qXasCId4hjWApx8r78HFi38xvthRNHfyShv447FbvEplvSBKDlk3yyQdsMg1SVAG6VXAX/s320/1B56D527-DE4B-4106-A52B-2C24E83CD7A6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulL911RVYCPJ4FFofrmB59cpxRqQuZcEH6R0kuE7D6IY1Tt5c5PlPwdJ0vOJTEjnuE2ZPq8MAdOOOLJMqjKgpWR1wuiGNDOG2Qd4Inh16jNvtwCrBAG6SpdMVboL0lhFCiTfQ-ouap4lR/s1600/43EEDAA3-475E-4738-B79E-02EDBE2D9A21.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulL911RVYCPJ4FFofrmB59cpxRqQuZcEH6R0kuE7D6IY1Tt5c5PlPwdJ0vOJTEjnuE2ZPq8MAdOOOLJMqjKgpWR1wuiGNDOG2Qd4Inh16jNvtwCrBAG6SpdMVboL0lhFCiTfQ-ouap4lR/s320/43EEDAA3-475E-4738-B79E-02EDBE2D9A21.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-lR2U0sN4-Ac7BZYwHsls9OCh2rDzYRI8b9LtgMCVabB2EpChiYCdwztWsw-2ZJlDkFV_3bSB5NwgRAAcV2kl3KwEBX49UjDNld87cGLWJF0F-f25wPCkW9mVF3JepMM8XmeHPCm0533/s1600/5E1875AF-C469-4485-9D8E-A537C3572C1E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-lR2U0sN4-Ac7BZYwHsls9OCh2rDzYRI8b9LtgMCVabB2EpChiYCdwztWsw-2ZJlDkFV_3bSB5NwgRAAcV2kl3KwEBX49UjDNld87cGLWJF0F-f25wPCkW9mVF3JepMM8XmeHPCm0533/s320/5E1875AF-C469-4485-9D8E-A537C3572C1E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gorxEK3niL7UWae1z7DWJbvO4uG9bu65eFOIe9LZUFMVftdhngMv30c54y9DF1mRmHEObKVOWAJWwdRDSQ5kHrA12rg2gC1B7MGdsXENNQwlrgPy8jhc06_4cA0GOMfbnEMSPP_poCL_/s1600/15E49FD9-1103-491D-A7E9-95D458C7A446.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gorxEK3niL7UWae1z7DWJbvO4uG9bu65eFOIe9LZUFMVftdhngMv30c54y9DF1mRmHEObKVOWAJWwdRDSQ5kHrA12rg2gC1B7MGdsXENNQwlrgPy8jhc06_4cA0GOMfbnEMSPP_poCL_/s320/15E49FD9-1103-491D-A7E9-95D458C7A446.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Marathoners!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6P17oGVZoqo6PTKCf6mtdfIPxrF0Kuscon1r3sm9pNsNzhvFhwPj-WN4UoD_OhsNBo4X_8CkvpI_6SMsB_iicwXWW8F0-rSsLBXT2S6oGeO3z-Xysm4OPpnt5lg9p7pvIfK2qZryK_N8/s1600/D3B1F9D4-CD3F-4A23-B33F-453825B06A1E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6P17oGVZoqo6PTKCf6mtdfIPxrF0Kuscon1r3sm9pNsNzhvFhwPj-WN4UoD_OhsNBo4X_8CkvpI_6SMsB_iicwXWW8F0-rSsLBXT2S6oGeO3z-Xysm4OPpnt5lg9p7pvIfK2qZryK_N8/s320/D3B1F9D4-CD3F-4A23-B33F-453825B06A1E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNsK_0XI6qps-I0dcAfL0Nds7-kWu7eIRIvNOs5pCdLWPrymbsUbJ_R14f2xcCK6_2lhZRy3c5nPR6UILv7X7LiHvqNz3J_4uUQGisEwuqmrfM4P-PPBkFXxstg06AzKdezzyKya3bJg0/s1600/CDFEAB82-1A6C-415D-AB86-316D3F323DF4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNsK_0XI6qps-I0dcAfL0Nds7-kWu7eIRIvNOs5pCdLWPrymbsUbJ_R14f2xcCK6_2lhZRy3c5nPR6UILv7X7LiHvqNz3J_4uUQGisEwuqmrfM4P-PPBkFXxstg06AzKdezzyKya3bJg0/s320/CDFEAB82-1A6C-415D-AB86-316D3F323DF4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho58ffNAxTLQ-yv7wf6ibmw64nN-EBrfQvhDtGh87XVNqMWS3HA_JxfaXuPmmfICPz-ueC-YY6ScM_hWvTM-FhTRHcho-khQFJKdLLOKd4QOUfE6GQFjrp9vaIEOVBAij0Cr-M2AokEmPO/s1600/CA6BC730-FC17-4C47-8860-1A294E413D87.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho58ffNAxTLQ-yv7wf6ibmw64nN-EBrfQvhDtGh87XVNqMWS3HA_JxfaXuPmmfICPz-ueC-YY6ScM_hWvTM-FhTRHcho-khQFJKdLLOKd4QOUfE6GQFjrp9vaIEOVBAij0Cr-M2AokEmPO/s320/CA6BC730-FC17-4C47-8860-1A294E413D87.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank You to the Treadmill <br />
for always hooking up my winning team with new shoes!<br />
Congratulations Team Nepenthe! <br />
(even though Kodiak beat all the teams!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3_AKRqCubFfOfwvoOaBNz_Yn-0bmnm50tTAgp9IpxSSZXQVwsc0PXEnCimxgbwMkuHAAdXY3H1q-miOUDGkL59LvtQzD4_TA9hz5I1NdYUESlPH18rt2yriCKTQYGtWFutobylCarc3j/s1600/95ECF324-D5E5-460E-878F-297A54CC8653.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3_AKRqCubFfOfwvoOaBNz_Yn-0bmnm50tTAgp9IpxSSZXQVwsc0PXEnCimxgbwMkuHAAdXY3H1q-miOUDGkL59LvtQzD4_TA9hz5I1NdYUESlPH18rt2yriCKTQYGtWFutobylCarc3j/s320/95ECF324-D5E5-460E-878F-297A54CC8653.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kendra ran her first marathon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcI29K6s2hxDqoa8fPPtpJiNpbOisz0e5mUusYd6t1N11AL4vuMosjqAdSW0e2S9NIDJ39a1fbPhGC-Va9XFn1-jICTTz6G_9Rt_48xC_m32clVG0QWxcAgs4D0hYMarYbJxYa6xbT88T/s1600/824F1E4C-4D71-4C42-950F-92FCC34BD897.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcI29K6s2hxDqoa8fPPtpJiNpbOisz0e5mUusYd6t1N11AL4vuMosjqAdSW0e2S9NIDJ39a1fbPhGC-Va9XFn1-jICTTz6G_9Rt_48xC_m32clVG0QWxcAgs4D0hYMarYbJxYa6xbT88T/s320/824F1E4C-4D71-4C42-950F-92FCC34BD897.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kodiak finally got a new pair of shoes <br />
after wearing these for three marathons!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmfOEy8_Ag0TsGJ4KNSzTGqlg3sStlpB-wUhKe1NtDDxZRTa1TMKtTaslMQ6Wk7JS11E7BypCayFBdxkzno73CFNcVmHntzP7fOpzOWk7Nmy7ss02TgGnPREF1PlnjPQnxkbwDnkdIu5W/s1600/BF2D30D8-3885-420E-9E09-2D30F67320BA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmfOEy8_Ag0TsGJ4KNSzTGqlg3sStlpB-wUhKe1NtDDxZRTa1TMKtTaslMQ6Wk7JS11E7BypCayFBdxkzno73CFNcVmHntzP7fOpzOWk7Nmy7ss02TgGnPREF1PlnjPQnxkbwDnkdIu5W/s320/BF2D30D8-3885-420E-9E09-2D30F67320BA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aengus after marathon number 8!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The world needs more people like this girl, <br />
Thank You Daniella for the best care!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After race BBQ! Thanks runners!</td></tr>
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<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-68427428437161666172019-02-16T14:31:00.002-08:002019-02-16T14:31:58.256-08:00 9th annual relay for Rachael <div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wouldn’t be where I am today without this annual fundraiser to help pay for my ongoing care and rehab. There are many in my situation who are not as fortunate and I am so thankful that I can get up and moving everyday. Every year I get a little stronger and every year gets a little easier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> This year I have 25 runners training hard and getting ready to hit Highway 1 on Sunday, April 28th. I am forever grateful for their support and yours. Please go to <a href="http://relayforrachael.com/" target="_blank">Relay for Rachael</a> for more information on how to donate. </span></div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-88401406320730992872018-11-01T19:07:00.000-07:002018-11-07T17:18:33.068-08:008 year CrashiversaryI’ve decided I have a PhD in Spinal Cord Injury, 8 years down, oh how time flies. I learn more and more every day about this crazy life, 8 years is nothing. I take the anniversary of my injury as a chance to reflect on where I was then and how far i’ve come. A day doesn’t go by where I don’t remind myself how lucky I am to have a roof over my head, food on the table and the incredible support of so many.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Point Lobos photographing with my iPhone. </td></tr>
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My health is my life and my life is my health and that is only possible because of the help I receive from others. Our health mentally and physically are both so important when trying to achieve a happy and fulfilling life. This made easier by getting the proper sleep, nutrition and exercise. I feel our general health is greatly under valued.<br />
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At times I feel selfish, every day I have to think about me, be my own health care advocate. How am I going to get up in the morning, fed, transported around and get the help I need to get through my day? In part because of this I am always trying to find ways to give back and to help others.<br />
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I was reminded of this again in August after a friend passed away suddenly at the age of 32. Everything he did was to help others, to make this world a better place. He was a bright light and once again I am reminded to be the light and to #livelikeWeston. He was part of my relay for Rachael crew and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.<br />
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Every year I get stronger and life with a spinal cord injury gets a little easier, just last month I was finally able to turn over from my stomach to my back in the pool. I’ve been working on this for 8 years! Being able to breathe on my own in the pool is huge because now I can work towards independence in the water. I started competitive swimming at the age of 8, played water polo and swam on the swim team through high school, lifeguarded, taught swim lessons, coached swim team, surfed, wakeboarded. I am a waterdog and I can’t wait for the day when I don’t need any help in the pool, and I am so close! Never give up!<br />
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Don’t take any minute of your life for granted. Look at the big picture and don’t let the little things get you down. Go for walks, watch the sunset, spend time with friends and family, volunteer, make a difference in your community, hug, cry, laugh, love, make art, be kind. Life is short.<br />
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There’s a lot that can get you down, this world can be a brutal place and I know it is hard to stay positive, I work on it every day. But this world is a beautiful place too, yin and yang, black and white, shadow and light, birth and death.<br />
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“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up.”<br />
-Stephen Hawking<br />
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<br />Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-59217400730902799182018-05-07T19:29:00.000-07:002019-02-16T14:43:29.716-08:008th Annual Relay wrap-up!<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the dust settles from this year‘s <a href="http://relayforrachael.com/" target="_blank">Relay For Rachael</a> I am reminded that I am not alone on this journey and that I couldn’t do it without the support of many... every year we get stronger and it is truly an amazing thing. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shelby Hawthorne and Kodiak Greenwood both ran the full marathon while my relay teams battled it out on the highway. Team LaLa Land came in 1st out of my 6 teams, upsetting the Big Sur teams, and came in 3rd overall out of 112 teams! I love seeing everybody come together for such a fun and rewarding event and I’m so proud of my runners who hit Highway 1 in support of me. I can’t say thank you enough!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This year we raised a record amount of money, from over 250 donors, to help with my ongoing caregiving and physical therapy costs. I can’t put into words what this means to me and how this helps me get through my days. My progress is slow but it is progress and I am up to the challenge. Thank you for BEing my light.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank you to <a href="http://www.thetreadmill.com/" target="_blank">The Treadmill</a> for hooking up the winning team with free shoes and for hosting such a “Fun Run” on March 25th in preparation for the marathon.</span></div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-90029599119109751212018-02-01T19:54:00.000-08:002018-05-06T18:35:56.647-07:00Staying Healthy <div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the 8th annual Relay for Rachael approaches I am reminded how lucky I am for the support of my amazing friends, family and community.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Year after year my runners continue to train and raise money and I continue to get the help I need to gain strength and stay healthy both mentally and physically.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am knocking on wood as I write this but I have not </span></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">been sick in over 5 years, I am gentle to my body because I know it needs strength to heal. I try and eat healthy, I rarely drink alcohol anymore and if I do it is a glass of red wine, I get my rest by staying on a consistent sleep schedule (which includes having to wake up from 3-3:30AM every morning to switch from my left to right side) and most importantly I keep my body moving.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My movement is possible because I have people who believe in me and who allow me to continue on my journey. I can’t imagine my life without this support and I am forever grateful.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Once again my runners hit highway 1 on Sunday, April 29th in part of the <a href="http://www.bsim.org/" target="_blank">Big Sur Marathon</a> to run their fastest and raise money for my recovery, to inspire me and others and to enjoy one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Donations can be made at <a href="http://relayforrachael.com/" target="_blank">Relay for Rachael</a>. Thank you and Be the Light.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Working with <a href="http://www.dominianne.com/" target="_blank">Domini Anne</a> at <a href="https://www.mindfulmovement.studio/" target="_blank">Mindful Movement</a> in Carmel.</span></div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722234619482502442.post-71483029226846880092017-10-31T17:31:00.000-07:002018-05-03T16:57:25.383-07:007 year crashiversary<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seven years...seven years!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the traditional Chinese culture, seven represents the combination of Yin, Yang and Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth). This combination is considered as “harmony” in the ideology of Confucianism. While in Chinese Taoism, it stands for Tao which has a close connection with kindness and beauty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I look forward to harmony and a close connection with kindness and beauty in the upcoming year of my recovery. I am constantly trying to find the balance of kindness in my rehab. How far can I push my body and when do I just need to sit back and recover. Most of the time I just make up my rehab as I go, circling back around to the exercises that I have done in previous years and enjoying the differences in my streng</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">th and ability. To say that this process is slow is an understatement, this progress is painfully slow, but I am here and ready to face it and I am encouraged by my strength that continues to grow.</span><br />
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Hope, 35, Self Portrait, 2017</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is a full-time job keeping in good health. I understand why so many people in </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">my situation end up in the hospital and some don't make it out. It's a constant battle to survive, not to mention the huge financial burden that weighs on me heavily. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My number one focus is my health and it has to be that way because nothing terrifies me more than ending up back in the hospital. It is easy </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to end up with pressure sores or other issues related to quadriplegia, it is hard to fight this battle and stay strong. It all starts with having proper care and people that understand. This summer I had three caregivers in the matter of two months give me their notice. It turned my world upside down and my entire focus had to go to finding new caregivers that could help get me through my days. Through this journey I </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">have met so many amazing people, t</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">rue angels that allow me to live. It really is beautiful and humbling and gives me hope in humanity. There is nothing more selfless than being a caregiver and it </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">frustrates me so much that as a society we don't put more </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">emphasis on how important these people are. So if you see me out and about with a caregiver please thank them because they can never be thanked eno</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ugh for what they do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As lives go on, marriage, kids, travel, play ...I look for my path, a path I can take that will give me happiness knowing that my path will be very different from most. Without my art I would have a hard time moving forward. I still have my art and I thankful for that everyday. My 2018 calendars are available online and we have a new website for Gallery Exposed (links in sidebar). Currently we are exhibiting "See you, See me" a solo show with photographs by me up through December 31st, if you are in Carmel please stop by!</span><br />
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On the cover of Monterey County Women magazine.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It doesn't seem so long ago that I woke up at my house in Big Sur, ate breakfast, watered my garden, fed my animals, showered, packed up my Halloween costume and headed into Carmel. It was a Sunday so it was my day to open up the gallery. I remember this day like it was yesterday, my last day of independence. That evening I stopped by the Big Sur River Inn to watch game 4 of the World Series, San Francisco Giants vs Texas Rangers, Giants won 4-0. I changed into my costume and headed to Nepenthe for their annual Masquerade Ball. We danced, we laughed, we enjoyed the beautiful night under the stars....Happy Halloween my friends.</span><br />
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My Awesome runners! Running the Big Sur River run last Sunday even though it was cancelled, to start their training for this year's relay for Rachael! I love these guys! Thank you for all of your support! </div>
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Rachaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10928511059736370976noreply@blogger.com1