First of all: No body has got a more cooler group of friends then I do. You guys ROCK HARD CORE!!! Thank you all for being a part of my life. It's all been "Good Times!"
In 1992 the Element seed was planted. Our goal was simple, to be the best we could be in the most honest and ethical way possible. We joined together to elevate what we all truly believe in. Today we continue to create the art, direction and message on a constant path to bring progress to skateboarding. We are more than a business; We are a family, all on the same journey for the growth within ourselves, Element and all that surrounds us.
KEEPING HOPE ALIVE
Englewood, FL
Three-year-old Winter Steele might not make it through the fall unless her family finds a pediatric surgeon willing to help with her conditions.
In fact, there's always a question whether Winter - blessed with a sweet and bubbly personality - will make it through another day.
That's what her grandmother said this week as tears welled in her eyes.
"If we don't find someone soon, we may lose her," said Jo Ann Steele, Winter's grandmother and the owner with her husband, John Steele, of Island Floors in Englewood.
"She's Just too precious to lose," she said.
At the advice of doctors in Missouri, the Steele family moved a little more than a year ago to Florida, where John Steele had been doing some work.
They came because Winter's body is susceptible to the cold and to infections, and Florida's mild weather is more conducive to keep Winter alive.
Although Winter has numerous medical conditions, she had not been sick since she moved here, buying her more time until Jo Ann and Brandalyn, Winter's mother, can find a doctor.
"We need a miracle," Jo Ann said.
And she has the faith to find one.
Three months after Winter was born, the infant was diagnnosed with a rae condition called Total Colonic Hirschsprung's Syndrome.
It's a condition that leaves Winter unable to produce salts in the in testine and expel nutrients into the the body, said Winter's mother.
Because of this, doctors had to remove a large portion of her intestines.
Therefore, Winter has to be fed much of the time through feeding tubes. She has a valve in her stomach to relieve her of gas pain.
Winter was not expected to live 30 days after her birth, let alone ever learn to walk, talk or learn.
But Winter not only walks and talks and counts, she has learned sign language. That's because she may someday need to use it in case she can't communicate otherwise.
If one condition wasn't enough, Winter has also been diagnosed with superior vena cva (SVC) syndrome, hydrocephalus (water on the brain,) and necrotizing entercolitis (also a serious gastrointestinal disease.)
"SVC is excessive blood clots around the jugulars, subclavians and around the heart," Brandalyn said.
Winter's jugular veins are clogged; other veins are making up for the loss.
But those veins still do not provide enough blood and nutrients to her head, which causes complications of dehydration, water on the brain and swelling that puts pressure on her brain and sinuses.
Winter's troubles cause her migraine headaches and sharp pain in her abdomen, but she's an amazingly upbeat 3-year-old.
Her bigger troubles involve finding medical treatment.
Brandalyn and Jo Ann have not been successful finding a physician willing to do operations that are critical to her survival. They have been told there is no hope.
Although the Make-A-Wish Foundation went to visit Winter on Thursday night Jo Ann is not giving up.
"If we can get these veins cleared up," Jo Ann said, "she can have an intestinal transplant."
The Steeles are hoping to find a doctor who is willing and able to do the surgery.
By: Rachel Alexander
The artical above is about Brandalyn Steele, a very good friend of mine, and has inspired Kenny Baker of the band Stealing The Remedy to host a benifit concert to help support, and spread awarness of childern suffering from Total Colonic Hirschsprung's Syndrome and other rare conditions and diseases. Check back for concert date, time, and performers.
WE BELIEVE that in the best American tradition of helping others help themselves, now is the time to join with other countries in a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world overcome AIDS and extreme poverty. WE RECOGNIZE that a pact including such measures as fair trade, debt relief, fighting corruption and directing additional resources for basic needs education, health, clean water, food, and care for orphans would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the poorest countries, at a cost equal to just one percent more of the US budget. WE COMMIT ourselves - one person, one voice, one vote at a time - to make a better, safer world for all. - Bono
Words of encouragement: Life is filled with it’s ups and downs, twists and turns, rights and wrongs.
But in times of pain it’s best to focus on the good, and what you have….
No mater how small or insignificant it my seem.
Always remember that the human spirit is a force to be reckoned with.
We can be pulled, bent, punched, kicked,
left beaten, bruised and bewildered, but never broken.
For in our darkest hour a beacon of hope pierces the abyss of blackness
that consumes our souls and illuminates our hearts.
And through it all we abide, and are made stronger.
Stand Up For Skateparks, the annual Tony Hawk Foundation benefit event, returned to the beautiful and expansive Green Acres Estate in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, November 5, 2006. Co-chaired by Jamie Lee Curtis, David Spade, Jon Favreau, Sean Penn, Bobby Kotick, Bob McKnight, Stacy Peralta, Mat Hoffman, Shaun White, Chad Hedrick, Danny Kass, and Benicio Del Toro, this exclusive event showcased "A-list" comedians, musicians, and athletes, and raised funds for the Tony Hawk Foundation and its mission to bring free, quality public skateparks to low-income areas.
A family-centric carnival with games and activities, Stand Up For Skateparks featured musical performances, live and silent auctions, and a vert demo on Tony's personal ramp featuring Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist, Pierre Luc Gagnon, Andy Macdonald, Jean Postec and Shaun White.
Stand Up For Skateparks was a fun day for the whole family, and your participation helped the Tony Hawk Foundation achieve its goal of empowering youth through the creation of free, quality public skateparks where they're needed most.
Check out my bro Jesse's band - 2006 San Diego Music Award nominee for best alternative band.
And, don't forget to check out:
