NORD "Rare Diease Community," Members and Viewers
Friday morning September 29th at the beginning of the 2006 NORD Conference in Bethesda, MD., I can remember hearing three important words the current spokesperson made. In regard to the Healthcare System, you cannot assume anything so the vital advice was, "You Must Ask."
After hearing these words, as I sat paying attention to everything I could absorb. This being my second consectutive conference, it helped pave my way as I thought back to what my neurologist told me when coming to see him for an appointment. Pick your three most important issues. Write them down so he could have a copy to keep so each time I come in, we can get to the new and old which will create a pattern that can be watched.
His advice helped me make the most of an opportunity that was going to be totally available there at the conference. As NORD is an extremely professional organization, their conference has been such a positive influence on me as well as my direction as I personally began to reearch CPM as I started posting as a Layman Advocate expressing and giving "CPM World Awareness and Assistance," in regard to my iatrogenic acquired neuromuscular, demyelinating disease of the Central Nervous System.
You may ask yourselves why am I bringing this up for discussion. The reason is that there are sources available to help you. No it's not an easy road to travel but there is no doubt in my mind, the constant everyday efforts I put in are also part of the reasons I'm still alive or haven't lost more faculties already.
I've been at this now going on five years. A few days ago I recieved a memo from one of the most caring individuals that I was blessed to be connected with strictly because of NORD. Dr. Stephen Groft, Pharm.D., Director of the Office of Rare Diseases within the National Institutes of Health was kind enough to congratulate me for my persistence and dedication as I made the information available and the informational document is now available on the NINDS Internet Site. (National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke) Not including all those who continue to assist me on a daily basis when needed, my years of effort have now made my goal for the cure to CPM a possible reality. I found the actual "CPM Cure"immediately after starting my research but it was very evident then that it didn't matter. I had to pay my dues to make the breakthrough as I had my own CPM symptom complications to deal with.
Now as the 2007 New Year is near, my faith in what I accomplish as a CPM Layman Advocate will start with wonderful ongoing expectations. At this time, my personal appreciation goes out to those from NORD, Dr. Steve Groft and Staff from ORD, Dr. Naomi Kleitman from NINDS, Doctor's John W. McDonald and Cristina Sadowsky and my CPM Team at Kennedy Krieger Institute along with Doctor's Krauss and Sepkuty at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute all who have a part in the Official Recognition of Central Pontine Myelinolysis.
I truly feel my dream of bringing back the awareness that started when Dr. R.D. Adams and Colleagues first founded and named the white matter disease Central Pontine Myelinolysis in 1959. Why it became lost within the archives really doesn't matter anymore. In closing, a special "Thank You," goes out to Mr. Augusto Odone' the founder of, "The Myelin Project," and Dr. Hugo Moser from Kennedy Krieger Institute, who I'm sure is also very recognizeable right here at NORD.
I can only hope after you have viewed this piece my CPM Awareness Foundation motto word of "PACE" which stands for, "Possitive Attitude Continues Effort," will help you when thinking of a "Dream Becoming a Reality." G-d Bless...
Mother, Franky and Breeze




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