Guillain Barré Awareness Rocks

Have you heard of painting rocks?

Painting and hiding rocks is a fun activity being done all over the world. Its an easy way to make others smile. I joined a few local groups and participated in on the fun.

I thought it would be the perfect way to spread awareness about Guillain Barré Syndrome. So I created a group on Facebook. Id love for any of to join and help spread awareness. On the group I have added some info about GBS and will continue doing so. When someone finds a GBS Rock they can come to the group to learn about GBS.

As someone who is recovering from GBS, painting rocks has been a great outlet for me. Its helped with my dexterity and anxiety. Hiding and finding them has gotten me out of the house so much than usual. Im walking more and more and having fun 💙🐢 Its been a great thing to do with my niece, Hadlie and nephew, Hagen.

Its easy and fun! All you need is some paint (I use the .50 cent craft paint from Walmart and old nail polish), brushes, rocks (I get mine from my front yard. No need for anything fancy), and clear spray paint. Optional is a printer to print the QR Code (in files) and Modge Podge.

Pinterest is a great reference for ideas. Just have fun. Feel free to paint ribbons, turtles, motivational lines, ect. On the back of the rock please write "FB- Guillain Barre Awareness Rocks". Hash tags work too! #GBSAWARENESSROCKS. I also add our local rock group and my hashtag #thegimpygirlwhocould

Once you hide a GBS Rock, post a picture and its location- Town and State. When someone finds it they can come to this page, find your picture and post that they found it.

If you find a rock you can choose to keep it or rehide it. If you rehide it, please post a picture and where its located and where you first found it at. Lets see how far these rocks and knowledge of GBS can go.

Lets get the word out about Guillain Barré Syndrome 💙🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

Please join us on Facebook- Guillain Barre Awareness Rocks

https://www.facebook.com/groups/737860246420891/

If you already paint rocks we would love if you would add our group info and #GBSAWARENESSROCKS to the back.

Here is a link to a story our local paper wrote about the local group im in. They even nention me but mispelt my last name lol

http://m.appeal-democrat.com/corning_observer/news/corning-rocks-how-one-simple-program-is-drawing-major-support/article_57b202f2-b47c-11e7-8bf9-2b854da8a5e3.html?mode=jqm

Team Gimpy Girl Blanket Drive

Last December 12th on my one year Guillain Barre Anniversary 24 of my loved ones set sail with me to Mexico. We went on a Carnival Cruise and had the time of our life. On our adventure “team gimpy girl” was named. We hashtags everything on social media with it.

Since then, everything I have done in “honor” (I’m not sure if that’s the word I’m looking for cause screw GBS) of me having Guillain Barre Syndrome we use Team Gimpy Girl.

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of me being hospitalized with GBS. I could easily ignore  it instead I celebrate it. I fought. I won. I have my scars… But I’m still here and that’s a blessing. I’m more appreciative than ever before. Last year we went on a cruise to Mexico. It was very symbolic for me to be sailing to Mexico with a tropical drink in my hand on that first anniversary.

 

I have decided that every year I will acknowledge this day. I would love to go on a trip every year but that’s not realistic since it’s so close to Christmas. I really wanted to go sky diving and get a tattoo… but that was quickly shot down by Bryan and my grandma. Lol

So every other year I will be taking a trip. On the in-between year I will be giving back to the community. When I was at the rehabilitation center I started making fleece tie blankets. It helped my dexterity and get be back into crafting. At the beginning I was going to donate them to the main hospital for premier babies. When I told one of my nurses my intentions, she said that was very nice of me. But why not give them to fellow patients right there at the rehab. That a lot of the patients didn’t get many visitors and a blanket would boost their spirits… I was a patient and I never would have thought of donating to there. 

 

Making one of my first blankets while a patient. March 2015

About a month ago I had the idea of having a blanket drive in honor of my 2 year GBS anniversary. I unlisted the help of family and friends and had great results. In honor of the Team Gimpy Girl Blanket Drive I will be donating approximately 50 blankets this week. That’s at least 50 smiles. It’s hard to be a patient and live in a hospital anytime. But extra difficult around the holidays. Blankets were my favorite gift and I loved how they brightened up the dull hospital rooms. 

 

I’m glad to have the opportunity to give back after so many people have gave so much to us the last 2 years. I’m so lucky to be apart of such am amazing community. The elementary school I attended k-7 made blankets and so did one of the local churches. I loved seeing everyone pull together to do something positive for a stranger…

It was so fulfilling going around my old rehab and handing out blankets. My heart is full. As always- I love seeing my old therapists. I only got a picture with Alyssa 😊

 

But it was great to see anyone and to be able to walk around room to room to visit current patients.

 

I was also able to meet up with another GBS Survivor. John it was so nice to meet you and Ash! Thank you for helping me with the blanket drive!

I cant wait for our next Team Gimpy Girl adventure. Hopefully it will be to the Philippines!

Color Dash 5K

This time last year I was a patient at Sutter Roseville while recovering from Guillain Barré Syndrome. I remember laying in my hospital bed looking at Facebook when all kinds of pictures from the first Corning Color Dash flooded my news feed. 

I've always been a firm believer that you should only run if your being chased... But that day I was jealous of all of those runners. 

Becoming paralyzed out of nowhere from a disease that you never heard of is a hard blow. It certainly put my life in perspective and made me appreciate everything and everyone in my life.

I'm so thankful for friends who take me out to do fun things... One can only watch so much, Netflix lol.

Yesterday I was blessed. I got to participate in the second Corning Color Dash 5K. 

Getting ready for the run!

At the starting line

Lisa our color fairy lol

Turning orange, looking like Oompa Lumpas lol

Kaity and Whitney helping me walk

across the finish line 💕

An amazing feeling!

14 months ago I was completely paralyzed, eyes and all. Progress has been slow and littered with a lot of bad days. No matter what life throws your way, never give up 🐢💕♿️