I really only seem to update this annually these days, but life has gotten busy! It's been crazy in all the best ways. 

Let's start with what my adult life looks like lately - I am working full time for a regulatory consulting company. I am on their Marketing team and absolutely love it! I work from home most days too, which means that commuting is super easy. It also means that I get to work out of mine and my boyfriend's condo, which is right on the lake. Paradise! 

Speaking of the homestead,...
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Found this article today and think it's got some really good information: Sleep After A Stroke The Key To Faster Recovery | Saebo

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Sometimes, the universe sends little hints that all of your efforts are going to be worth it and that everything really is going to work out in the end. This past week, I had a massive one of those experiences, and it’s the simplest little thing that is the most significant too… I can feel the ground underneath my right foot.

That is HUGE NEWS, because that was the first thing that I lost with my first stroke back in 1998. I was 13 years old and it was March Break. I was spending it at ...

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Today's epic realization: I am already better.

In fact, some days I would dare say I am better than better. (I'm talking about my recovery of course, but isn't it amazing how much that blends into the rest of our lives as stroke survivors?) 

But it's true when I think about it! I have days when I am so functional that even I can't tell that I have had one stroke, let alone two of them. My hand works and I have all of the fine motor control. My leg co-operates and I can walk normally. There are ...
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I have finally done it... I have come up with an explanation for why I act the way that I do (a tad overly optimistic, shall we say?). And it all ties back to my theory about daisies.

Daisies are the highest life form... were you aware of this? Think about it: a daisy is a very simple flower with a big yellow centre, a few white petals and a couple of very basic leaves. A daisy's ENTIRE purpose in life is to make people smile.

That is a noble purpose!! I have a crazy amount of respect for daisi...
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Well, the last fundraising event of 2017 was last weekend... and overall, we did really well this year! I met a ton of really super people, raised a bunch of awareness and sold a lot of angels. 


Still selling the angel figurines... we have sold thousands of these by now!...
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The Special AVM Research & Awareness Fund will be fundraising at the Christmas Bazaar at Viva Retirement Residence in Mississauga (the Christmas Bazaar at Solel Congregation of Mississauga, 2399 Folkway Drive, Mississauga, ON) on Sunday November 5th between 11am and 4pm! Come on out and browse the show, shop for Christmas gifts/decorations/more, and check out our fundraising table... we will be there with our Kneeded Angels, as well as a variety of warm and fuzzy (and homemade!) hat and scarf...
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As another week draws to a close, I was sitting here reflecting on the things that I managed to get done and what I accomplished this past week (and during the month of February as a whole). This month has actually been absolutely incredible when it comes to my physical recovery! I can now lift more weight, do more reps and accomplish so much more than I ever dreamed in the gym. I am actually doing well in school and really understanding and learning the material (which is sort of a new exper...
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  Well, it's official - we have the schedule all filled up for the day of the show!  Come on out to Coronation Park on Saturday August 17th, and see...

• 3:30pm - Sarah Jordan
• 4:00pm - Rebekah Stevens
• 5:00pm - J'aime Payne
• 6:00pm - The Reverand H.C. & The Grievous Angels Choir
• 7:00pm - Barry Szeto
• 8:00pm - J'Nai
• 9:00pm - Zara Ahmed (Zara is coming to us all the way from Montreal!  She grew up in Oakville and is returning home to headline at SHINE!)

Looks like a fantastic afternoon of live music and fun...
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  Go to http://TheSHINEFestival.webs.com to purchase your tickets for The SHINE! Festival... only $20!  This promises to be a great day of live music, friends and fun in the sun.

  The band line-up has been nearly completed... we are still looking for a few smaller acts to fill in the gaps between bands, but otherwise it is shaping up to be a pretty great day  :)
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  Stay tuned for the date that tickets will go on sale for the concert of the year!!  The AVM Foundation is hosting a benefit concert in Coronation Park (Oakville) on August 17th, 2013.  Come on out and show your support!


~V
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  So it looks like the AVM Research & Awareness Foundation (at The Hospital For Sick Children in Toronto, ON) has a new web presence!  We have traded in our old webpage (http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/touched_by_an_angel) for this new website, in favour of a more updated design and a slightly more professional look.  Just in time too... as it looks like the "Walk Cuz You Can" is going to be happening pretty soon!  This coming April 23rd (2011), join us at in Hamilton Bayfront area for a walk...
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