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August 2019 Newsletter
brought to you by
Contents:
Updates and a Look Ahead -
Bill DaGiau
Meet Our Board- Christopher Beliveau
A Lesson Learned, My New Perspective -
Kira Lew Greenberger
Motorcycle Rally to Benefit Chris Pets for Vets & Voice Library for Veterans and First Responders
Traveling With Your Pet- Jo Ann Clark
Navigating Wellness amid a Broken System -
Cindy May Gibb
Amazon Smile You Shop We Benefit
Annie's Angels Program Information
Updates and a Look Ahead
Bill DaGiau
 Imagine...you've got a great opportunity but you have to move out of state leaving your elderly mom behind in your childhood home. You think about her every single day and you worry that she's okay. Then, one day you get a call. It's the call you've been dreading. Mom fell trying to get up from her chair and she injured her hip. You've found out that mom sits in her chair by the window, sometimes for hours waiting for a neighbor to come home so she can call for help because she can't get up. Now you live in a new reality. You've gone from my mom is Super Woman, she'll be okay, to where has time gone? Mom isn't Super Woman, she needs help. Mom needs a chair that can help her stand up easily but her insurance will only pay a small portion of the chair. She can't afford it, you can't afford it, how will we make this happen for mom? You've been going through some papers mom has on the coffee table and find a business card for a charity, Annie's Angels. One of mom's friends told her about Annie's Angels but she never made the call so it's up to you. You go to anniesangels.org and look us over and decide to fill out a request for assistance. Within 24 hours, you spoke with Bill and mom has been approved for assistance! Annie's Angels will pay the portion that her insurance won't. Forty Eight hours later mom is enjoying her new elevation chair. It reclines, it sits straight and it elevates to stand mom up. Mom is able to take her life back! Don't think this can happen to you and your family? This IS a true story. One that happened to two different families this month! In both instances Annie's Angels was able to help thanks to your contributions. Please consider donating or volunteering. We need you, to continue to help families like these who through no fault of their own need our help.  If you attended our 2nd annual Luau Beach Party and Pig Roast, thank you! There are still donations coming in but I can tell you that we have raised a record $23,000.00 for the Luau! If you haven't contributed yet you can do it today. I can also say that it was a huge success in no small part because of our event sponsor Bottomline Technologies. Thanks to Rob and all the Bottomline attendees. I would like to thank The Victoria Inn and Victoria's Kitchen for donating the facility and the Happy Hour apps as well as the staff for the evening. Thanks to Mojo's who donated all the sides; Mac & Cheese, Corn Bread, Baked Beans and Cole Slaw. Thanks to Ice Pik Vodka for the two specialty drinks they invented for the evening and for donating $1.00 for every drink sold. Thanks to Tilton Brothers Brewing for donating $1.00 for every Tilton Brothers Beer sold. Thanks to Joe & Laurel Shaw for donating the 2 pigs and working all day with Matt Shaw cooking for the event. Finally, thanks to Baldilocks! They made this such a special event and kept everyone on the dance floor. We are looking forward to next year already!  Our friends at Verizon Wireless Zone in Stratham held a back pack give away last weekend and invited our Angel families to attend. Throughout July 21 they gave away nearly 100 back packs loaded with school supplies. Thanks to Ryan and his team for including Annie's Angels families in the day. If you are an Angel family and couldn't make it to the give away, I have about 14 back pack. These are first come first served so email bill@anniesangels.org if you need one. Finally, I ask you to remember all the local businesses that have supported us, not only this past month but the ones who support us throughout the year. I ask you to use them if you can, if you have a need they provide. Without you supporting them, they can't support us.
Meet Our Board - Christopher Beliveau
 Chris Beliveau is a native of Portsmouth, earning his Eagle scout rank in 1978 through Local Troop 164. For over 22 years, he has worked for the City of Portsmouth. Most recently as caretaker of Prescott Park, Four Tree Island and Pierce Island. He is an active member of Bethany Church in Greenland. Chris is a Devoted Husband, loving Father/Poppy. Also, an avid dog lover. He has served Annie's Angels in many capacities, currently Board Member and Ambassador of Firewood, for over 12 years.
Thanks to YOU we are able to ease some of the stresses that come with a doctors diagnosis. We just  can't do this good work without YOUR support. I ask that you please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Annie's Angels
or visit the Our Families
tab on the website and select a particular family to help. Get updates about "your family" on the website or follow them on social media to see how your contributions are working, and thanks again for your continued support.
A Lesson Learned, My New Perspective
By Kira Lew Greenberger
 Yesterday marks three months since my husband was hit by a car. I don’t really subscribe to the notion that everything happens for a reason. But I definitely believe that there is a lesson to be learned in every situation. The lesson I’ve drawn from all of this can be summarized in one word: Perspective. Before this happened, I would see someone in a wheelchair and feel a temporary pang of sympathy for that person and their caretaker. I would watch them struggle through a task that required more effort than it should. But soon after, my own priorities and trivial problems were quickly back in the forefront. It’s like when you watch a sad movie. You are invested in the characters and might even feel like crying but when the lights come on and it’s time to go home, it’s back to your regularly scheduled programming. I now know the struggles firsthand of having a loved one in a wheelchair. I have felt the rage of seeing a shopping cart sitting in the middle of a handicap parking spot. I have seen entrances to public places that have a million stairs and absolutely no feasible way for a person in a wheelchair to enter. I’ve seen front doors to hospitals that have handicap buttons for automatic doors that don’t work. I have seen people stare at my husband in a way that is not sympathetic but more like he is a specimen that needs further examination, but the minute I meet their gaze they dart their eyes in the other direction. I don’t doubt that I have been one of those staring people in the past. But I could never be that person again. Perspective, my friend. I wish we didn’t have to endure this experience in order for me to gain this wisdom but I feel grateful that I have it to take with me from here on out. I have also seen some of the most beautiful displays of humility.  Dudes in bars have rushed to open the door for Steven so he can roll into the men’s room. Restaurant hostesses have gone out of their way to make sure we have a table where he has room to keep his leg propped. A mom has come up to us with her 2-year-old and asked if he could touch Steven’s wheelchair because the little tike is obsessed with wheels! Of course, he can! For the most part, people have been kind, considerate, and empathetic and it has restored my faith in humanity. My piece of advice for anyone who is going through a traumatic time is when someone offers to help, let them. Let your friends bring over dinner some night so you don’t have to cook. Let his mom take him to surgery so you don’t have to burn another vacation day. Let his guy friends come over to keep him company while you go to the beach to read for a few hours. It’s not selfish to look after yourself as well as the person you are now responsible for. You might feel guilty doing things for you, but you will come to find it’s completely okay and actually extremely necessary.
Traveling With Your Pet
By: Jo-Ann Clark
 As editor for Chris’ Pets for Vets, I like to provide useful information each month pertaining to people and their pets. This month I found an interesting article pertaining to taking your pooch on vacation called “Traveling With Your Pet”. The information being presented was taken from the Hampton Veterinary Hospital.org website, June 19, 2019 Blog post What to Pack
- A copy of your pet’s updated vaccines, including a current rabies certificate. Clients of Hampton Veterinary Hospital can access their pet’s vaccine records electronically by signing up for our Pet Page App.
- A collar or harness with identification tags, including rabies and town licensing tags (dogs). Ideally, your pet should have a microchip. If not, contact Hampton Veterinary Hospital about having one placed. Don’t forget to make sure the microchip company has all of your current contact information.
- At least one leash per dog, as well as one back-up leash.
- Water & food bowls – soft-sided collapsible ones can pack easily into a car and are easily carried in a bag or backpack.
- Food – pack enough for an additional 2-3 days per pet just in case you have to extend your stay.
- Medications – bring them in their original packaging with appropriate labels. Include extra should your time away run longer than expected. Don’t forget to bring heart worm and flea/tick preventatives if your pet is due for their next dose while you are away!
- Pet Crate or Carrier- many pets find these comforting, especially on long car rides and in unfamiliar surroundings.
- Toys, blankets & bedding.
- If in a remote area, you may want to consider putting together a Pet First Aid Kit
Other To-Do’s Before Travelling With Your Pet
- Locate the 24-hour ER veterinary facility that is closest to your destination(s). Visit The American Animal Hospital Association website to help locate accredited hospitals in the area.
- Travelling by plane? Contact the airline to ensure that you have all of the necessary information required. Travelling internationally? Check with the country you are visiting as to what additional requirements they may have.
- Research which hotels, motels, etc allow pets. National chains that allow pets include Red Roof Inns, Motel 6, and La Quinta.
- Concerned that your pet may experience either motion sickness and/or anxiety? Contact your veterinarian well-prior to your trip for suggestions or medication refills.
- Locate the nearest boarding options just in case! Remember, Hampton Veterinary Hospital is an excellent option for boarding in the NH Seacoast area!
Source: Hampton Veterinary Hospital.org website, June 19, 2019 Blog Post
Navigating Wellness amid a Broken System
By: Cindy May Gibb
 We have all been (or are still being) misled. Most everything we “know” about diet, exercise, health, wellness, fitness, and even illness, is skewed. Depending on what we “know”, the majority of the American population is either slightly misinformed or grossly so. I know because I was (and I’m sure still am, about some things). It’s not our fault, it’s what we’ve been taught. Unfortunately, our “teachers” more often than not were looking to make a buck off of our misfortune and woes. Case in point: Girl (or guy) flips through fitness magazine. Sees extremely fit/thin, *supposedly healthy* model. Self-esteem plummets. Girl (or guy) feeds into magazine advertiser’s claim to help her (him) achieve same look. She/he purchases whatever it is they’re selling, only to be worse off after it fails (worse off health-wise, financially and sadly, in the self-esteem department). We live in an era where instant gratification is at an all time high, and most people have zero patience for anything that requires a slow, steady and consistent approach. One fact of which I am sure: this is EXACTLY the approach that is required and absolutely necessary for long-term health and wellness. I point this out not to discourage you, but because I do not want you to continue to fall for empty promises as I did for 30+ years. Even if you have some short-term success on a fad diet, exercise plan, wrap, capsule, magic gel or elixir, I have seen too many experiences to sugarcoat that it doesn’t ever end well. This lure of rapid, easy results makes my passion for helping people a bit more challenging as those selling these false hopes are kinda my competitors. You see, my services as a health & wellness coach may not initially appeal to those who struggle with shiny object syndrome. Luckily for me, I’m not trying to make a quick buck, I’m merely here to help those who really want help. I’m dedicated to helping people feel amazing, achieve health from the inside out and obtain wellness to increase longevity so that you don’t just grow old, but you feel incredible and have ample energy to enjoy life to its fullest for as long as you grace this beautiful Earth! Nobody wants to just live a longer life, we want to thrive and live a longer, more active, vibrant life, am I right? We all know the saying “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Bear this in mind when it comes to your health. If you’re just starting out on your health journey (or if you’re re-starting for the umpteenth time), one bit of hope I can share is this……As challenging as it may be at first, I promise you, it does get easier and much more enjoyable (for real!). Once you start feeling better and all those healthy decisions start yielding the results you’re after, consistency becomes fun! You start to crave the healthier choice over the old habits, and you willfully replace the bad dependencies with new nourishing delicious obsessions. So, when you see that uber-fit guy or health-nut gal almost never indulging on the crappy food--it’s not because they have more willpower than you! It’s because they now really ENJOY and PREFER the healthful choices. Really and truly! As an update on my ongoing journey, I am now more than halfway through my Sport & Exercise Nutrition course with a goal to receive my Certification by mid-September, latest! My website ( www.body-truce.com
) is coming along nicely and I’m excited to reveal that in the next couple of months, as well. I am getting closer and closer to being able to help my clients even more! I’m looking to collaborate with a few other like-minded health and wellness coaches whose strengths lie outside of my expertise in an effort to further enhance my clients’ journeys. Please contact me via email at cindymay@body-truce
.com
or message me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cindymay38
if you’d like to brainstorm wellness! I love to hear about people’s experiences with all-things-health, and I am always honored to make new connections. I am grateful for your follow, thanks for reading. In gratitude and to your wellness, Cindy May
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