Beau and his unexpected find

Beau was spending time with us this weekend, at the mountain property, (Mimi’s Ranch) Like in book two. But his find, wasn’t so pleasant! Beau decided he would like to go and explore, as he always does, but unlike book two, he ran across a character in the book, stinky the skunk! Let’s just say, it wasn’t as pleasant for him as it was, in book two! In Patch land Adventures; Preston & Beau were enjoying their time on the four-wheeler as they passed, stinky the skunk, by the stump! This Sunday, Beau found himself to close to this little guy, and sprayed him all over his face! Not a very pleasant find or experience for Beau and for us on our ride down from the mountain. The drive home was about 2 ½ hours, of course with all the windows down. When we got home, Yorkk bathed Beau, with dish soap, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide! I have to say it did help; But Beau wasn’t crazy about it! On the upside, it was a nice weekend! While everyone else were busy, fixing fencing etc… Preston and I took the four-wheeler for a ride and we enjoyed such beautiful escapes! We really appreciate the beauty of the mountains! Preston and I also decided to go fishing! We didn’t find ourselves catching any fish, but the lake was so beautiful, and calming! This time bonding, priceless!

Appearance on Channel 7news

My Interview, by the Denver Life Magazine

Denver’s Foundation Fighting Blindness: A Vision of Hope By Denver Life Magazine – May 1, 2013Posted in: Editor's Picks, Heart of Denver Corey Haas, like most rambunctious nine-year-old boys, can be found playing baseball or riding his bike. You wouldn’t know by looking at him, but Haas was previously blind. Now, this very active little boy serves as the poster child for the next wave of visionsaving gene therapies that are a result of various retinal disease clinical trials. Trials, such as the one that cured Haas’s Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), are a direct result of the work of Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB), which has helped to fund an upwards of 30 gene therapy research projects that improve the lives of individuals all over the country, including those in the Denver community. FFB was founded as the National Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation in 1971. Personally affected by retinitis pigmentosa, Gordon Gund, with the help of family and other supporters, began the foundation in order to research possible cures for retinal degeneration at a time when very little was known about these diseases. From its humble beginnings, the foundation has grown to become the largest non-governmental funder of retinal degeneration research in the world, raising more than $500 million in total funding. Carmen Swick, current president of the Denver chapter of FFB, is a seasoned veteran in the fight to cure blindness. Her son, Preston, was born legally blind in his left eye and diagnosed with Amblyopia, characterized by the shutdown of the pathways between the eye and the brain. In her search for help for her son, Swick came across FFB. Although FFB focuses on retinal eye disease and her son’s condition is neurological, she became involved with the foundation and was eventually asked to stay on as chapter president. “All children should be diagnosed at a young age,” Swick says, and this is one of the aims of FFB. As chapter president, Swick helps to raise funds that support not only the Denver chapter, but FFB as a whole. Proceeds support public health education, awareness and research to find preventions, treatments and cures. The diseases that the foundation strives to cure include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease and Usher Syndrome, among others. Each year, FFB hosts national events, which have raised more than $25 million in research funding since 2006. The Denver chapter also hosts several fundraising opportunities and donation events. This summer, Denver’s FBB chapter will host two incredible fundraisers. Taking place at Haggan Aviation, the Blind Taste of the Rockies fundraiser is on June 4 and includes wine and beer tastings, hors d’oeuvres and both live and silent auctions. Additionally, the next morning, Denver FFB will host its annual Scramble for Sight golf tournament at Arrowhead Golf Course. Both of these events are open to the public and directly help fund national and local research and clinical trials. These events, along with grants and donations from corporations and individuals, have helped the foundation create the Argus II Bionic Eye for advanced retinitis pigmentosa and develop treatments for Wet AMD and Gene Therapy for LCA. However, Swick believes that “volunteering doesn’t always involve a pocketbook.” In conjunction with raising funds for the foundation, the Denver FFB supports those affected by retinal diseases as well as their families. Monthly chapter meetings, blogs and online message boards all bring hope to those living with retinal diseases. Although the fight against blindness is ongoing, FFB hopes to one day hear that blindness has been cured and that they were a part of it. Get Involved In addition to her work with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Carmen Swick has written two children’s books to help children cope with retinal disease and educate others about blindness. Learn more about Swick’s books at patchlandadventures.com FFB is hosting two amazing fundraisers this summer: The 5th annual Blind Taste of the Rockies on June 4 and Scramble for Sight on June 5. For more information on these fundraisers and other ways to support FFB, visit fightblindness.org/denverchapter . Tags: May-June 2013 Issue

Beery the Black Bear

We have a new addition to our family! Beery the Black Bear! A character out of my Childrens book, with an eye patch. You can choose him with a eye color patch, blk, pink, or not with an eye patch. www.patchlandadventures.com

Peanuts Cartoon/eyepatching

 

Gateway High School In Aurora Rises Above Tragedy « CBS Denver

Gateway High School In Aurora Rises Above Tragedy « CBS Denver

Although several years later! But still,So Proud to be a GHS Alumni! Remembering the hall ways, playing basketball on that court! What a beautiful tribute to AJ! Neal Patrick Harris did a lovely job narrating! Zach, so glad to see you Be Victorious over such horrendous act of one deranged person! MY hope for all these aurora victims & family & friends from this aurora tragedy,That your healing & love for life continues everyday!

Little four eyes contest giveaway!

Congratulations to Jaden & Ownen! the 2 winners from the contest giveaway! Just mailed you both each, Book one & Book two! Hope you enjoy the books!