High Times in Helena

On Friday (9/22) I got home from Helena after attending the Montana SLTC (Senior & Longterm Care) conference. Theresa, Dustin, and I had such a blast and I met so many great people from around the state. Was a great opportunity to network with other folks with disabilities, caregivers, and the state people who run the home/community based waiver programs in Montana. Very refreshing to meet people in the social service arena that care about the folks they serve.

The drive home from Helena was pretty cool. After leaving Helena we soon began our ascent over MacDonald Pass. The top of MacDonald Pass is at 6300 feet and the view was breathtaking. Was definitely different to see a touch of snow in September!
On October 4th we will be attending a once in a lifetime event here in Missoula. The Rolling Stones will be rocking Grizzly Stadium as a part of their 'A Bigger Bang' World Tour. The Stones will be awesome and I can't wait til they take the stage. Hopefully I can get some pictures to post.

I am very happy to be celebrating the 2 week mark of my nursing home liberation. Living in freedom is a great thing and I couldn't be happier. I will continue to fight so many others can have a better life instead of a life of institutional imprisonment. I will continue telling my story and refuse to give in until real change happens for all.

Peace,

Mark

Rainy Day

Greetings from Missoula. Been raining here the last few days with the temperatures staying around the mid 40's. There was snow up in the mountains, but down here in the valley there was just rain.

It's hard to believe that I've been free of the nursing home for a week now. I'm loving my new independence and am getting very comfortable with my new life. The next few weeks will keep me busy and I really look forward to that.

I'm still busy getting settled in and yesterday was a productive day. I met with my new home care company and they are all set to take over my respiratory needs. The first new nurse also came yesterday to orientate. It went pretty well and it will be nice to get the other nurses trained.

On Tuesday we are all heading over to Helena for the Montana Senior & Longterm Care Conferenece. I look forward to checking out Helena and meeting many new people. I'll post a few pictures from our trip when I return.

Not much on tap for tomorrow but I plan on watching the Seahawk game tomorrow afternoon. I'm off to bed for now but you can look for a post sometime next week.

Take care,

Mark

Montana Freedom

Last Sunday I started my new life outside of the nursing home, here in Missoula, Montana. It is truly an amazing feeling to be living in freedom and not in the confines of an institution. Missoula is a beautiful city and it's awesome to see the mountains everywhere you look.

This week has been busy with adjusting to a new routine, getting my new services set up, and a visit to Target and Albertsons. There have also been new people to meet and everybody has been great to me.

I am living with my friends Theresa and Dustin and their 5 adorable Pugs. Dustin has the same type of Muscular Dystrophy I have and he is also a vent user. Both Theresa and Dustin are very involved in disability advocacy and political issues here in Montana. I very much look forward to getting involved in these issues myself.

In the weeks and months to come you can look for frequent updates to my blog. I'll be posting about my Montana adventures and I will be sure to include many photos as well.

On a personal note, I must extend my thanks and gratitude for all the support that my family and friends have shown me in my battle to exit the nursing home. I miss all of you deeply and will stay in touch.

I will go for now but you can look for another update very soon. Take care.

Mark

Fall is upon us

Whew! Labor day is upon us and with it the unofficial end of summer. Boy it's been awhile since I have posted on my blog but summer has kept me pretty busy. Here's a brief update of the last couple months. Starting in mid September you can expect much more frequent updates here of what I'm up to.

It's been quite a warm summer here for everyone in the upper Midwest. I've spent alot time outside enjoying the weather and the many sunny days we've had. I am always on the go somewhere, whether it be going for a long walk along the reservoir, visiting friends or hanging out at my parent's house. I try to make the most of summer because all too soon the chill of winter will be here.

I have also kept busy with moderating the Vent Support Network. We keep steady with adding new members and I'm so amazed that during this summer we surpassed the 100 member mark. My goal has been to give my fellow vent users and myself a comfortable place in which we can communicate. I couldn't be happier that this has become a reality. There are a couple of our members who are attending college for the first time this fall. I'd like to wish them all the best as they set out on this new journey.

September is here and I very much look forward to this fall. It will be pretty busy but I plan to relax and enjoy watching some football and taking in some walks in the crisp air of fall.

Lastly there is something that my family and I have been waiting for. My cousin Dawn, a 2LT in the Army has been serving for the past year at Camp Anaconda Iraq. She will be home around October and we all are praying for her very safe return. I'm very proud of her service and what's she's accomplished. Hope soon we can start bringing some our military folks home for good!

Peace,

Mark