What would you do if it were you?

Everyone has tragedy and loss in their lives. It is one of Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths. Sometimes it hits you personally, sometimes it hits people you know, and sometimes it hits people you don’t know yet it affects you. But, when it hits… what do you do? I have two friends in Baltimore who are facing their daughter’s rare disease with courage and action that stops me in my tracks.

In October 2004, Addie had her first seizure. I remember the call like it was yesterday. Tina and Trent had taken Addie to the hospital and they were doing lots of tests. We all waited for some hopeful report that it was an allergy or something “simple”. After months of tests and medications that made Addie cry nonstop and not sleep, she was diagnosed with Aicardi Syndrome, a rare seizure disorder that affects girls.

Over the last three years, Tina and Trent have faced on-going tests and no certain answers about Addie’s future. Would she walk? Would she talk?

There have been ups and downs…
Seizures come and seizures go.
Thoughts of surgery are there.

And some answers…
Addie walks.
Addie talks.
Her brain has miraculously reprogrammed itself to its other side.

Two things stay constant, Tina and Trent’s unwavering hope and their positive attitude.

This weekend I am flying to Baltimore to participate and volunteer in the 3rd Annual Tri to Help indoor triathlon. (I didn’t even know how to spell triathlon until this experience!) Trent and Tina have channeled their energy into putting on this event to raise money for epilepsy research.

I know that flying across the country puts a ridiculous amount of greenhouse gases into the air, but these two have strength and courage that amazes me. It is a no brainer to hop on a plane for 36 hours in Baltimore where I am going to swim for 10 minutes, run for 20 minutes, and bike for 30 minutes. It is the least I can do. What would you do?