I will be leaving on Thursday to attend the 2010 NKF US Transplant Games in Madison, Wisc.  and although I am excited to be "on the track' and compete in the sprinting events I am much more excited to spend time with the other athletes attending....especially the kids.  I cannot wait to watch their JOY and excitement as they step on the track, field, court... ready to run their little hearts out in their events.  I cannot wait to kneel down next to them and tell them how i too "have what they have and know" that I too "think life is worth living this way" 

The coolest thing I learn every time I attend these games.....to always have JOY no matter where you end in your event.  Very. very rarely do you see a child, a young adult, even an adult at these games walk off their event with any attitude but gratitude...really.  You don't see anger , maybe some disappointment but what outshines it is the happiness they feel for those who won and happiness for themselves that they were able to compete.  It is a beautiful thing and quite a GIFT to receive.  I will feel very honored to be surrounded by these exceptional examples of athletes this weekend and will make sure I "breathe in the JOY of being alive"

I am also so excited to have a table at the Expo for Dottie's Dream and Whole-Body Wellbeing.  We are going to raffle off a bike for a child from ages 3-18 and debut our protein Empower Pro and the DVD's we made for Pre and Post Transplant patients.(people)
  I am so proud to finally have this chance to "give back" in this way.  I truly believe that the second reason I am still here (my first is "for Liam") is to share with others ways they can fight back, strengthen and overcome obstacles in life and reach their dreams.  Really.  The protein is incredible and tastes great-I have been using it for the last month and has certainly helped me with my vigorous training in life and competition   The DVD's well, what can I say, "they are Dottie" and I talk honest and truthful sharing what i believe are tools to draw up from inside you the strength and conviction you need to believe your goals and dreams are possible.  The belief that no one can lessen or take away from you. 

If this protein helps one pre transplant patient (person)stay strong and healthy so theymake it to their day of transplant ready for that battle then it will be a start...but my job will not be done until all are surviving,living until their transplant day and LIVING LIFE FULLY, attaining all they want, afterwards.  And if these DVD's offer hope and encouragement to someone who thinks there day is never going to come or that they cant do anything but sit and wait , to have a new found strength and determination inside them then it is a start but until all live each day they have with a belief that they Can Do Something and they can make a difference both pre and post transplant, my job will not be done. 

I am determined to Empower this community to change what is "expected or feared"  I know that both Empower Pro and Empowered Life DVD's will be a foundation for me to do that and I am feeling so good about that.  I worked hard on developing this protein enhancement drink and used every bit of knowledge I "learned in the trenches: for over 30 years of needing to drink hospital shakes, weight gain shakes, etc.  I made sure the formulators of my protein were making what i wanted, what i know works and I cannot wait to fuel others with it. 

OK...Sorry i wrote so much but I am excited and feel full of HOPE of what is to come!  So, Let The Games Begin! I Madison and in Life.....

Dottie