Hershey’s is holding a Better Basket Blog Hop where for each blog post  Hershey’s will donate $10 to Children’s Miracle Network. All you need to do is follow these easy rules:

• Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
• Create a blog post of giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
• Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
• Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
• Leave your link at http://betterbasket.info/bloghop/ where you can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s.
• Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).
• Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.

I’m giving my virtual basket to Jerri Ann at

http://www.productreviewsbyme.com/
http://www.lifeinreality.com/
http://www.gadgetmagnet.net

Here’s something you can do for someone with a chronic illness to pay it forward -

When you’re going to the grocery store, give your friend a call to ask if they need anything.  Let them know they know you’ll be at the store any way so grabbing a few things for her isn’t a problem.

Jerri Ann can add a blurb about a random act of kindness, paying it forward, etc. if she’d like too.

This Is How I Roll, Living Independently With Neuromuscular Disease is a webinar held by the MDA on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 6 PM EST. Hosted by Vance Taylor, Katrina Gossett and Angela Wrigglesworth, this webinar is geared toward people who want more information on living independently.

Event Address: https://mdaevents1.webex.com/mdaevents1/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=661483220

Event Password: MDAWebEx2010

Call-in number: 650-429-3300 (U.S./Canada) Long distance charges apply.

There are many benefits of chiropractics. Chiropractors are not just for your bad backs. They are able to help you with many different health issues including headaches, problems with balance, muscle spasms, low energy and more. Seattle Chiropractic provides a list of the benefits, in fact they call themselves Chiropractor and Wellness Specialists.

If people don’t take the time to understand what chiropractics is, they may end up thinking it is quackery. Because of this they end up missing out on an alternative treatment that can help them with relieving pain and feeling better in various areas. Many insurance companies cover a portion of chiropractic care. Some people fear that having an adjustment from a chiropractor may hurt. You may hear a popping sound and feel a little uncomfortable during an adjustment, but there isn’t any pain. It’s important to learn exactly what chiropractics is and what it entails so you don’t miss out on a way to ease your pain. Take the time to read Chiroraptor FAQs.

Chiropractors will refer you to a medical doctor if there are health problems that require medical intervention. Don’t think that your chiropractor will only expect you to see him or her for every problem. They are well trained and licensed. An individualized treatment plan will be formed based on your needs. Get to know your plan and your chiropractor’s philosophy. I read an excellent “mission statement” from Roxbury Chiropractic, read more….

Duane Burnett is a photographer who has worked in media. He lends his multiple talents as a volunteer for various causes. He is wiling to share his time and his soul, even though is going through a turmoil that most of us can’t imagine. Duane has multiple chronic illnesses as well as depression and vivid nightmares that are more like night terrors. This doesn’t stop him though. Although he is constantly fatigued, he continues lending a hand when asked and reaching out where he sees fit.

Duane was born in Ladner, BC and is currently residing in Sechelt, BC Canada. British Columbia plays an important part in his life and volunteer work. He worked as a photo journalist for the local community newspaper “which kept my mind off things and on purpose and in service to the community”. When he was let go from this job, it was heartbreaking.  This coincided with the loss of his four legged soul mate, Tundra, a Siberian Husky. Duane felt lost in the world and admits that he isolated himself. The depression became so overwhelming that he couldn’t work.

He is beginning to pull himself out of this now. He attended the Sunshine Coast Winter Olympics Torch Relay Celebrations where he took photos and wrote blog posts, and shared info on social media sites. He’s starting to get back in the game! His Facebook page is where he really gets things going. He shares about his latest triumphs, like being nominated for a BC Small Business CHAMPION of the Year Award. He also has a personal Facebook page, a Twitter Profile, and his Flickr profile where he shares his beautiful photos. He also has photographs for sale on Flickr.

One of the most meaningful things that Duane is doing is raising money for Tundra’s Accessible Dog and People Drinking Fountain. But if there’s a cause in BC, the Sunshine Coast, you can find Duane helping out and spreading the word. Even though he has been diagnosed with Depression, Sleep Apnea, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain, Nightmares and Social Anxiety Disorder, Duane wants to raise awareness and funds.

Here’s more information:

Duane Burnett is a community spirit award winning local photographer, photo journalist and actor who’s images have been seen extensively on the Sunshine Coast and around the world in numerous newspapers, websites, brochures, map guides, magazines and before the movie at the Ravens Cry Theatre. His photos are often front page each week in The Local newspaper. The Sunshine Coast has commented that Duane’s photography captures the “essence and spirit” of the natural world and community; that he is a photographer “extraordinaire,” “absolutely fabulous;” “bloody marvelous;” “magic;” and “a credit to our community.”

Though his scenic and nature photography is stunning, Duane is especially known for his ability to work with people. Duane brings out that special something in his shots of people that is unique to his work. He is part artist, creative director, tour guide, set director and entertainer. You’re guaranteed to have fun whenever he is present.

I’m inspired by Duane Burnett because he has that unique ability to get up when he’s down, even if that means he has to do it over and over. He shares his talents and gives of himself. His photography and volunteer work are well known in the Sunshine Coast. Let’s spread the word so they’re known even farther.

This is an ongoing effort to spotlight people with chronic illness, health issues and disabilities who are making a contribution in some way despite their pain, sickness, etc.

Although I like the great outdoors, having chronic illnesses, makes it unsafe for me to go too far from home, especially where I have no access to a cell phone. Plus, if I’m too far and I need immediate medical care, that’s another reason to feel unsafe.

My best bet to enjoy the outdoors is to be in nature but close to help. A beach is good pick for me, a lake that has access to a main road or a resort that has an area that is just far enough to be quiet and peaceful, but not too far to be unsafe. When I’m in a flare, I’m usually at home in my backyard. We have birdhouses, some trees and a fenced in yard.

I love when my husband grills and we sit at a picnic table to eat. The only problem is that we have a gas grill where it isn’t easy to make smores because we really can’t roast marshmallows. I’ve been bugging my husband to get a firepit so that I can sit outside, relax, feel comfy and eat wieners and smores. It gives me a good feeling to be in the great, be it fake, outdoors.

Suzanne Rogers, star of Days Of Our Lives, has Myasthenia Gravis. She has played Maggie Horton on the show for more than 20 years. Ms. Rogers has been a performer since she was a child, starting with dancing. She danced so well that she became one of the Rockets.

When her singing talent was discovered, she then became an actress, dancer and singer on Broadway and performed on the Ed Sullivan show. In 1973, she became Maggie Horton on Days of Our Lives when she decided that she wanted a full-time career. In 1984, she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and went through very debilitating symptoms.

Ms. Rogers wasn’t able to work for one year because of her extreme difficulty with speaking, double vision and problems with eating which caused her to lose a great deal of weight. After receiving the correct treatment including medication, she was able to return to work after going into remission. Her character has Myasthenia Gravis too, so she is able to share this condition with her fans and others.

She continues to inspire people by contacting other people with Myasthenia Gravis and is now the spokesperson for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.

Although remission is not the outcome for all people with Myasthenia Gravis, it helps me to see that it is possible. I commend Suzanne Rogers from Days Of Our Lives for speaking out about her condition when she could have hid it.