Turns Red and Blushes!!!! I credit all my strengths to my Mom who raised 12 children and me being the youngest. Her wisdoms, self confidence and ability to look beyond what was staring her straight in the face helped all of us to be strong individuals. She taught us to be independent, kind, curious, generous, thoughtful, caring individuals.

But at the same time she made sure that each of us grew up with our own individual personalities. Each of my siblings and I are so much different and yet so much alike if that makes any sense. We are a very loving family. We have so much fun when we get together.

I never in a million years would have planned on being strapped with this dreaded RSD or any of the other diseases that I am dealing with. It has been a blow to my family as well. However I have had to take a step back and assess the situation and decide wether I was going to win the fight or relent and give in to it. So far I am winning regardless of how I feel most of the time. I am a true believable that laughter is a cure for many a illness.

I also believe that if I can make just one person feel better (if just for a moment) through laughter or a kind word or even lending a ear to listen than it makes all the difference in the world. I am not a big believer in materialistics. I have just enough to make me happy. My motto is "Simplicity is Elegance".

The only other thing that I have learned to overcome these last seven years is being able to take more control of my health. In other words not hanging on every word of the doctors. I use to assume that whatever the doctor said was it. I am finding more and more that that is not necessarily true. I do have the right to challenge (2nd and 3rd opinions) and I use them often. I now question everything. Doctors these days are all on ego trips. If they can't "FIX" you right than and there they pretty much give up on you. Well I have learned also that the "Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease". Well I'm done rambling again. I bet none of this makes one bit of sense. Please forgive. I have only had one cup of coffee so far.

Chin Up My Friends!!!! Mark