Two Years and Many Days Later…

Hey everybody,

I know it's been a while, and I've never posted a blog before today.  I finally decided to just jump in and do it.  Otherwise, conditions would never be right for me to do this.  So for right or wrong, here we go!

I've been taking a class this semester, which deals primarily with social media, and the positive impact it can have on people.  Our class been divided into groups, and each group is designated a cause to follow, and nurture toward resolution, using social media.  Our group is attempting to lobby for restorative research for people with spinal cord injuries.  Our group leader, Matthew, has a son, Gabriel, who suffered a spinal cord injury, while in Costa Rica in 2008.

Since that time, Matthew's family has worked tirelessly to restore Gabriel's health with intense physical therapy each day.  While there have been some improvements for Gabriel, his true motivation is to be ready for stem cell therapy, when it becomes available, here in the States.  However, the progress towards spinal cord injury research is very slow, in the US.

In hopes of speeding up the process, Matthew has started an organization called GUSU, which is an acronym for Get Up Stand Up to raise awareness for stem cell research, and its potential healing applications for those with spinal cord injuries.  I've had the chance to meet researchers working on this at the University of Minnesota.

I've had the chance to witness the latest science, in its infancy, with a boundless potential to heal those who need it.  Before I go on, I want to note to readers, the research being done is utilizing living skin cells, which we all possess.  I know there are those who feel strongly about the use of embryonic stem cells, and I want to be sensitive to that.  It is not my goal to alienate any of you, but rather to show you the good, science can do.  After all, we survived learning the earth was round, right?  Time to move on to something new…More importantly, anyone who has a life-threatening illness or disease, has more choices in their medical care.  


In any case, please check out some links here and see what GUSU is up  to: http://www.facebook.com/#!/gusu4cure and http://roadreck.blogspot.com please check out the latest video on the road wreck site.  The music is awesome and you get to see Gabe and his loved ones in action.  Have a great day and you will hear from me again… Soon!