Feeling the *TRUE~MEANING* of the ~Holidays~

Paul Newman was once quoted, saying:

 "Make sure you live life, which means don't do things where you court celebrity, and give something positive back to our society."

... Talk about a man who "practiced what he preached"!
Once again, my Mom&I were graciously invited down to
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp's Annual Christmas~Party by the incomparable Mr. Ray Lamontagne. 

We excitedly entered *Santa's~Workshop*, ready for a day of fun, faith-restoring memories. 

We remained humbled throughout the entire day. Seeing these young children, some in wheelchairs, others utilizing other types of assistive-devices, with their families "in-tow" ... and, you know what? 

Did we see one frown, or witness a
single temper-tantrum !? 

NO, we did not! 

We were able to chat, and take a few pictures, with Ray!

{Clearly, this is not in any way/shape/form a *Glamour~Shot*, as Mom&I are donning our silly head-accessories we had received at one of the stations!}

If only every person, "able-bodied" or not, could experience this camp, even just once. Surely we could learn more than a few things, not just about the real "reason for the season", but about LIFE !!! Especially with all of the most recent atrocities occurring throughout not only our country, but the entire world. Wouldn't it be a more than welcome "change-of-pace" to view stories like this on the Nightly-News?! 

Giving a Voice to the Voiceless

WCVB Channel 5... You know, Boston's ABC-Affiliate - - -
my *DREAM~NETWORK* !!!

*SNAPS*, Kudos, and Thanks to Karen Anderson and the rest of WCVB's Investigative News-Team; for being courageous enough to feature an Investigative-Report on the epidemic that is concussions and sports-related TBI.

Of course, I had to show-off my bedazzled, signed 

"head-cast" to Karen and the Crew! 

 None of this would have been possible without the fabulous folks over at the Brain Injury Association of MA. 

For setting-up this whole Investigative-Report,
for naming me as the *feature* ... How lucky am I ?!

~> WCVB's Concussion Report <~

What a WAY ~ To Spend a DAY !!

Buddha once stated: 

“To keep the body in good health is a duty… 

Otherwise we shall not be able to keep
our mind strong and clear.”

It was as if that man, in all of his infinite wisdom, happened to look into the future ~ {September 27th of this year, to be exact} ~
and was, in some way, referring to the first-of-its-kind event

The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts hosted
this past Sunday. 

The 1st Annual Walk and Roll for Brain Injury, which we began planning what seems like such a long time ago, far exceeded even our wildest, most positive expectations!

Everything, and I mean every-single-thing, went off without
a hitch. From the perfectly picturesque day we were blessed with, to the equally beautiful voice of fellow-Survivor, Maeve Hughes beautifully belting-out the
National Anthem ... it was just such an
incredible experience!

Speaking of musical accompaniments, WDJM, 

Framingham State University's radio-station, graciously volunteered their "time, talent, & treasures" to DJ
the entire event! 

What I felt was one of the more poignant parts of the day:
the simple fact that a Reporter from the
MetroWest Daily News attended, not just to snap some pictures to go in some back insert of the paper, but to interview, document, and photograph the entire event.

Then, after finding out that he was going to be interviewing me ... Well, readers of this blog know well enough how speaking in front of, with, and to people makes my future
TV News-Broadcaster heart inflate and flutter~away!!! 

MetroWest Daily News Article

 Another special aspect of this event was not only just "seeing" other people, but genuinely "feeling" their presence, and coinciding care! One such person is the genuinely sweet Kristin Camarra, whom I first met way back in March, and then was invited to speak at the
Massachusetts Association of Insurance Women Conference up at Jiminey Peak.

Now, Kristin did not just simply attend. She knows how meaningful Ladybugs are to me, so she creatively crafted this beautiful sign 

/-|Walk|-\ and ~RoLL~ for Brain-Injury!!!

Who wants to hear some exciting news?! Well, allow me to be the one to inform you... The fabulous folks over at the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts are hosting our first-annual "Walk and Roll" for Brain-Injury!

Clever name, isn't it? ;~}
Well, I can promise you this right now: the event is going
to be just as ~fun and fit~ as the name implies!!!

http://www.biama.org/walk

Sandra Madden, our Special-Events Coordinator, has pioneered the entire day. This is her first event in this new position; it would not have been possible, or even initiated without her. So, please join me in a little
Alpha Sigma Tau custom: 

❤Can we give some *SNAPS* to Sandra!?❤ 

Speaking of the necessity to dole-out some "snaps"...

As if their in-kind food donations and allowing us to utilize their stadium wasn't enough, FSU's very own Radio-Station, WDJM, will be there, not only to make announcements and offer-up their microphones for speaking, but also to
   >BUMP< those *BEATS* !!!   

Join us, won't you?? Now, I'm going to channel my inner
Elle Woods {from Legally Blonde}, but just switch-up one of
her lines: 

"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy... Happy people are just way more *FUN* than
sad people... they just are!!!" 

*HAPPY \5th/ BiRTHDAY, "SKuLL-BABY" !!!

You know how this year [2015], has been filled with "Milestones" for me? Well, here's another one: Five years ago, I underwent the third&final surgery on my brain, to move the bone-flap out of my abdomen, and place it back inside my head (which we so appropriately deemed "the BIRTH of 'Skull~Baby'"!!)

{SKULL~BABY~TWINS!!! Sally Beach, way sweeter than a peach!} 

Performed by my second, incredibly adept Neurosurgeon, 

Dr. Mark Johnson, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, this operation moved the bone-flap out of my abdomen, and placed it back into my skull, since the swelling had finally ceased. 

{Obviously, this photo was not taken immediately after final-operation... but there he is ~ my Second Brain_Angel!} 

Among many other factors, obviously including the first-responders, my surgeons, therapists, family, and friends... 

I would have to say that my *FAiTH* has given me strength and, most especially, hope! 

{My "Faith is a Victory" Precious~Moment} 

Everyone, take a few minutes to enjoy a song which is, without a doubt, one of the best descriptors of my journey with TBI! 

OVERCOMER ~ MUSiC-ViDEO

~>Leading By Example<~

Whether you know me on a "personal-level" or not, I think it's fair to say that you know that I love being a part of positive experiences! 

What began with one of my mom's co-workers asking if I would speak at her Insurance-Women's Group monthly meeting in March, resulted in my opportunity to be one of the Keynote-Speakers at their Annual-Conference. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to a lovely lady,
Kristin Camarra, who is President of Massachusetts Association of Insurance Women; it was she who asked if I would like to be a part of their Conference. Now, I wasn't expecting anything spectacularly out-of-the-ordinary about this speaking opportunity. But, then again, what's that they say: "...when you least expect it" !?

[No, your eyeballs are NOT playing tricks on you.. that is SNOW up there!]

I wasn't the only guest-speaker invited to share my story. Team-Members from
/|\ ~^~Ainsley's Angels~^~/|\ , Shaun Evans, along with his resilient, eight-year-old son, Shamus, compose the Power To Push faction of this outstanding organization.

We all were able to exercise our *CRAFTY~CRiTTeR~TENDENCiES* in a
Paint-Class, as well! 

{Mama~BeaR gettin' her >ART< on!!}

And finally, folks, the main reason why I was present for this Conference... to share my story of not merely "surviving", but >*THRiViNG*< !!!

Not "FOUR-YEARS" ... "FOR-LiFE" !!

HOW DID I GET *SO~LUCKY* !?!

Seriously, though... I am one tremendously fortunate gal. 

"Why this time?" you may be wondering ~ ~ ~

Well, for starters, this past Wednesday [3/25], my mom and I ventured down to New York - Marist to be exact - to take part in an event my fantASTic sorority-sisters were hosting in honor of this month, which of course is Brain-Injury Awareness Month. To say they simply "hosted" this exciting event would be a total understatement!!
 

These ~>Tremendous-Taus<~ planned, organized, and orchestrated the afternoon, from soliciting local business for raffle-prizes, to putting their fabulous flair on every, single decoration in the room. 

  

Greek-Council, the over-arching "umbrella" under which all sororities and fraternities are situated, votes once per semester which event they are going to deem
-MANDATORY- for all sisters and brothers to attend.
Well, you better believe it was OURS!!! =D ;~} =D

My extra-special advisers were there to support me, as well. An absolutely perfect "full-circle" type of moment, since I wouldn't have been introduced as 

"Our Alumnae Sister Ryan Farrell" if it wasn't for them!! 

Of course, I had to truly make it FULL of IMPACT, and bring all of my "props" I bring to all of my usual Survivor-Speeches. The oh-so *^*FANCY*^*, bedazzled, autographed crash-helmet I had to wear throughout my eleven weeks of rehab at Spaulding Hospital... ~{see below}~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not only was I the Speaker at our event, but I also acted as Auctioneer at the end!

~^~ My Lovely~Little, Kolbe & I ~^~

 

~*~TAU-PURPOSE~*~

... Miss America's bouquet doesn't have ANYTHING on my *ravishing roses* !! 

The official flower of AST is the  *Yellow~Rose*. Which is beyond fantASTic & perfect, since the yellow-rose, with its optimistic hue and general association with good cheer, is "the perfect way to toast friends, lift spirits and send a general wish for
well-being!" 

{As promised... here's the video!}