They Call Me Galvez

This morning, I met one of my friends at the trolley station to get a tour of the trolley system here in San Diego. He is a fellow brain tumor survivor, but a lot more experienced than me!  He has figured out how to transport himself around the city… PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION!  Sounds obvious, but with physical impairments it’s no easy task!  I will admit that I’m unfamiliar with public transportation because it was never an option for me once I got my drivers license as a teenager.  Things would be different if I lived in New York City, but I’ve always been used to going where I want/when I want. For five years I’ve felt like a prisoner in my own home.  I could only leave when someone picked me up or if one of my parents dropped me off where I wanted to go.  I felt like I have regressed to the dorky junior high version of myself.  Public transportation is the best option for me right now since I’m still not ready to drive.  Getting your drivers license is a rite of passage for teenagers.  Getting around town on my own was a new rite of passage for me.  The mobility scooter (AKA “mAss Kicker Mobile, MKM”) has helped tremendously in regaining my freedom, but I do not want to get too comfortable in it.  I eventually want to get around large distances without the MKM.   I feel like I can finally rejoin the world!  Energy conservation vs mobility vs in-coordination/balance are the issues that I’m trying to figure out… for now the MKM and trolley are the best solutions.  Driving will be an option that I will revisit once I address the above issues.  Until then, I’ll have to experiment with the bus system in San Diego as well!  FREE AT LAST!

TUMORS SUCK! so let’s USE THE K.U.R.E.

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to mAss Kickers Foundation.

Check out ALL the mAss Kickers Videos here!

2010 was a banner year for mAss Kickers Foundation (MKF).  Past success leads to higher expectations in the future.  Higher expectations in 2011 brings with it bigger goals.  mAss Kickers will continue presenting unique articles/interviews/resources for newly diagnosed patients on our website.

We do have some cool new events and activities planned in 2011.  You’ll have to stay tuned on www.mAssKickers.org to keep up with us!  In addition to providing resources and articles for newly diagnosed patients and their loved ones on our website, we are planning at least 3 major events in 2011:

• in Summer 2011, the 3rd Annual TUMORS SUCK! Paintball Benefit in Michigan
• in Fall 2011, TUMORS SUCK! DAY Event in sunny San Diego CA
• in SPRING 2011, an exciting new mAss Kickers Foundation event in sunny San Diego (details to come… stay tuned!)

Our goal is to raise at least $5000 for MKF in order to host at least the three major events listed above, fund smaller MKF projects (conference registration, website maintenence, office supplies, operational costs, etc) and to donate funds to our selected 2010 tumor/cancer research beneficiary before December 31, 2010.  We have very ambitious plans in 2011.

If you are a mAss Kicker, please consider a tax-deductible donation and pass it on!  Please forward this webpage to your contacts so that we can fight back against ALL tumor masses! Be a part of the begining of “Something Special”!  If you feel more comfortable, mail a check addressed to “mAss Kickers Foundation” to:

mAss Kickers Foundation

2010 Inaugural Fundraising Drive

1950 Camino De La Reina #312

San Diego, CA  92108

The funds raised from this campaign will go to: the 2011 general operations of MKF – printing brochures, distributing stickers, participating in conferences across the US, creating unique mAss Kickers events, and supporting our 2010 research beneficiary.  In 2011, we will focus more on using the “K.U.R.E.” as a strategy for ALL individuals touched by a tumor mass.  When someone gets diagnosed with cancer or a tumor, Knowledge, Unity, and Research lead to Empowerment for everyone affected by these horrible diagnoses!

What are mAss Kickers Foundation’s Ultimate goals?

• Provide unique articles and interviews useful to the newly diagnosed patient and their loved ones on our website.
• Promote Unity among ALL cancer/tumor types and between patients and their loved ones through a common “pugilistic” attitude.
• Support research through articles, events, and donations.
• Empower the newly diagnosed patient and their loved ones with a strategy to become proactive in their care so they feel less helpless after getting intimidating news.

To see what we have accomplished in 2010: click here!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

USE THE K.U.R.E. because TUMORS SUCK!

- the mAss Kickers Foundation team

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I finally finished my Fall 2010 tour.  Now it’s time to relax, but I do have a few more things up my sleeve.  mAss Kickers Foundation is really starting to pick up steam!  We are ending the year with a new campaign I’m a mAss Kicker!  Pass it on! to raise funds!  I also restarted therapy but with new goals.  I think I’m on the verge of walking with one crutch or nothing!  After a short hiatus from therapy, we discovered that I am walking much  easier.  Honestly, I think I rely on my arms too much when I walk.  I’ve also developed a bad habit of keeping my left leg extended at the knee or stiff when my left foot loads the ground.  There is no “shock absorption” at the left knee upon initial contact.  The ataxia in the left leg has improved, but not to the point where I feel confident in it yet.  Because of this, I have dubbed my left leg “stiffler”.  I need to address “stifler” in order to return to walking without an assistive device.  I tried walking in the parallel bars at the gym today and I noticed a little improvement when concentrating on calming “stiffler” down.  I’m expecting more physical improvements in 2011.  MKF is starting to put plans together for 2011!  It should be a great year!  Please support us by donating to the new campaign: I’m a mAss Kicker!  Pass it on!