WISHING YOU A SUMMER FILLED WITH SUNSHINE, HOPE, AND GOOD TIMES!
WHO IS THE "DESERT MERMAID"?
Besides traveling coast-to-coast, swimming the vast seas, dodging the tsunamis, catching a few waves, basking in the sun, frolicking with the dolphins, collecting pearls and shells, blowing bubbles, and waiting patiently for her handsome sailor or Merman to appear ... "Victoria" spends part of her time in the "Land of Enchantment" ... hence her nickname, the "Desert Mermaid"!
"I think a hero is an ordinary individual
who finds strength to persevere and endure
in spite of overwhelming obstacles." ~Christopher Reeve~
Although "Victoria, the Desert Mermaid", misses the dolphins, manatees, and other tropical aquatic mammals, she makes the most out of her arid desert environment. She has become friends with the lizards, roadrunners, and prairie dogs and often, swims in adobe territorial-styled pools. Instead of being surrounded by coral and seaweed, she is now protected by the cacti and sagebrush. Often when she gets homesick, she looks up into the clear blue, sunny skies which remind her of the clear blue, sparkling seas.
The "Land of Enchantment" is also known for its performing, visual, and creative arts, something Victoria has always enjoyed. She has always been creative, artistic, and imaginative and loves to draw, paint, sculpt, design, and create. She also loves dance and all types of music -- from Classical to Indie to Reggae to Celtic to Pop to Rock. She would definitely be lost without her SeaPod! :)
In addition to her love for the arts, Victoria has always been community-minded, peace-loving, health-conscious, family-oriented, and environmentally aware -- a real asset to the sea!
She is close to her Merfamily, Starfish cousins, and Dolphin friends. She gains her strength and inspiration from her family and the seas. Without them, she would not be the "Mermaid" she is today. Unconditional love, patience, understanding, compassion, and the ability to see above any challenging situation has provided her with good, solid core values. She is blessed and thankful for her good tidings.
Victoria believes in helping others and in the creation and promotion of positive and healthy environments. She is dedicated to helping others in need, especially those with rare medical disorders, such as Mitochondrial Disease, and/or developmental disabilities, such as Autism (please see the section on "Autism & Mitochondrial Disorders" below).
She advocates for the fish who lose their scales, the dolphins who can no longer make sounds, the clams who can't bake, the sea urchin who loses his urchins, the hammerhead shark that can't find a nail, the seahorse without a saddle, the snail with no shell, the clownfish that can't get a laugh, the pipefish who can't smoke, the grouper who prefers to be alone, the kelp who needs help, the sole without a soul, the smelt that can't smell, the swordfish who can't fence, the odd cod, and the school of fish without a teacher ...
Victoria hopes to make the world a better place for all land and sea creatures alike!
Enjoy your visit to the "Land of Enchantment" and feel free to swim by anytime! Good, kind people and friendly sea creatures are always welcome!
"To accomplish great things,
we must not only act,
but also dream;
not only plan,
but also believe."
~Anatole France~
Wishing you a "SEA OF LOVE"!
"You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love."
~Henry Drummond~
May your life
be filled with love, health,
peace, and good fortune!
"The love that lasts the longest is the love that is never returned."
~Somerset Maugham~
"All you need is love."~John Lennon~
"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains,
at the huge waves of the seas,
at the long course of the rivers,
at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motion of the stars,
and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.
~St. Augustine~
"May your life be filled with people, places, and things that touch you at the core of your being."
"Love to one, friendship to many, and good will to all."
"May the friends of our youth be the companions of our old age."
"It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them and a lifetime to forget them."
~Author Unknown~
"Everything is simpler than you think, and more complex than you imagine."
~Goethe~
"Candles are a gift of light,
A tiny sun, a bit of star.
No other dancer in the night
Dances with such sheer delight,
Little souls serene and bright,
Each a glimpse of what we are
Shining innocent and pure."
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who has said it, not even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."
~Buddha~
"To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect."
~Oren Arnold~
"I like the dreams for the future better than the history of the past."
~Thomas Jefferson~"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."
~Dennis Waitley~
AUTISM & MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE ...
Is a well-known disorder really just a "symptom" of a rare disorder?
Did you know that 1 in 4,000 Americans has a MITOCHONDRIAL DISORDER?
Did you know that AUTISM, ALZHEIMER'S, DIABETES, PARKINSON'S, RETT'S SYNDROME, SIDS, and other disorders are actually a result of a "Mitochondrial Disorder" or a "Mitochondrial Dysfunction"?
Did you know that MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE affects both sexes, all ages, all races, all IQ and educational levels, and all socioeconomic backgrounds?
Here are some VIDEOS on MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE: Click here -- VIDEO: "MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE: A NEW CLASS OF DISEASES"
This video features DR. MARK KORSON and DR. KATHERINE SIMS, two leading physicians who specialize in Mitochondrial Disorders.
Drs. Korson and Sims will teach us about Mitochondrial Disease and how it can affect individuals and families. They will also explain how defective mitochondria can cause AUTISM, ALZHEIMERS, DIABETES, PARKINSON'S, and other common diseases.
This is an exciting area for medicine since it will help find a cure or new treatments for many diseases in the future, including AGING.
VIDEO: "MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE & HIDDEN DISABILITIES"
Click the "PINK 'CLICK TO PLAY' BUTTON" below to play the VIDEO. You may have to click it twice.
This video explains "HIDDEN DISABILITIES" which is common in MITOCHONDRIAL DISORDERS. One can "look normal" on the outside when in fact, the person may have a very serious and life-threatening disorder. Since the person "appears normal" or "looks healthy", he or she may not be taken seriously by others, including doctors who aren't familiar with Mitochondrial Disorders.
Click here -- VIDEO: "MITOCHONDRIAL RESEARCH: DR. JOHN SHOFFNER"
This video features an interview with one of the leading mitochondrial researchers, DR. JOHN SHOFFNER.
MITOCHONDRIAL DISORDERS may not be as "rare" as one thinks, but instead may just be "underdiagnosed", "misdiagnosed", or missed altogether!
Click here -- "MAMA MIA" or go to www.myspace.com/abqmamamia or just click onto her MySpace page from my "Top Friends" section!
"MAMA MIA" has valuable information in her BLOGS regarding Mitochondrial Disorders. Her blogs are designed specifically for patients, families, physicians, and others who may want to learn more.
VIDEO: "ANIMAL SCHOOL" by RAISING SMALL SOULS
This is a captivating video which will leave a lasting and memorable impression upon you.
Instead of showing children or adults, the film uses animals to demonstrate our uniqueness, strengths, talents, and "special needs". It is up to all of us -- as individuals, sea creatures, parents, families, aquatic mammals, community members, educators, and/or other professionals -- to make sure everyone achieves and reaches their fullest potential in life.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION can be found at the following LINKS:
Click here -- MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE ACTION COMMITTEE
Or go to www.mitoaction.org
Click here -- UNITED MITOCHONDRIAL DISORDERS FOUNDATION (UMDF)
Or go to www.umdf.org
Click here -- MDA INFORMATION ON MITOCHONDRIAL DISORDERS
Or go to www.mda.org/disease/mito.html
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