Scottish Rite Tomorrow and Carter raised $1164.00 For CMTA!

I cannot believe that October 3rd is finally here!  No more waiting...Scottish Rite here we come!  Both boys are going to be seen tomorrow and we are expected to be there all day.  I am so thankful that we got in so soon, even though it seems like its been forever!  Just so grateful to the wonderful Doctors who helped get them in so soon. 

I have all the paperwork they requested filled out, all the medical records and orthotics ready!  I am really hoping we will get some answers tomorrow but I am not counting on it. 

There area a couple of things that I  really want to happen tomorrow.  One is for them to tell us what is going on with Carter's right leg. His right leg started twitching this last week and we don't know why.  It is starting to bother him since it just happens at random times.  He will be sitting in class and all of a sudden it starts to twitch.  Sometimes it will twitch for a minute or two and other times longer. 

The second thing is for them to help Zach with his toes.  His big toe is infected and he keeps picking at it but since he cannot feel anything, he keeps doing it.  So now it is all bruised from him messing around with it. He is on antibiotics for it but she said they may have to go in and take the nail off!  She told Zach I bet you feel that!  I just hope they can help us with his toe issues and we don't have to have them take the nail off!

The other big ones for me are Carter's feet, are we going to have to have surgery?  Will it help him?  How long for recovery?  Is it better to wait or do it now?  And of course Carter's chest pain and pressure.  He says that it comes and goes.  His regular Dr. told him last Wednesday no more running at all!  At least until we get a stress EKG done and we go to Scottish Rite and see what they say about it.  I also really want to know what we can do for Zach's feet too.  Even though he doesn't walk on his toes or have the hammered toes, he does have really bad pigeon feet!  We will see......

I know we won't get too many answers tomorrow but I am hoping for some great information.  I look forward to meeting Dr. Iannaccone and learning more about CMT from her and her staff. 

I know I still have not posted the pictures or blogged much about race.  I will just still trying to get better.  Plus my husband cannot find the pictures!  So I am hoping my mom has them!!!! Scary!  I tell ya never leave anything up to a man!  LOL! Just kidding all you men out there!

To end on a great note, I would like to thank everyone for donating to Carter's Birthday Wish!  Because we had so many generous donations he was able to raise a whopping $1164.00!  THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!  WE TRULY ARE BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND FAMILY.  LOVE YOU ALL! 

Until Next Time.............Anything is possible if you just BELIEVE!

"Stay Strong, Believe!"~Carter Hayes

Lets Get Ready To Rumble!!! Cotton Patch Challenge!

Well we made it to Greenville, Texas in one piece! At least without to much whining, are we there yet? We checked into our hotel, went to pick up race packet and then ate dinner. Now its time for bed.

Carter is sooo excited yet a little nervous. We told him to relax and have fun which I know is easier said then done. We told him its not about where you finish its about having fun and raising awareness for CMT. He siad he knows but just wants to finish race strong. I know without a doubt he will give 100%.

He ate a big dinner to insure he will have plenty of food for ride and went to bed early since we have to be there at 6:55 am so we are up at 5:30am, yep that's right 5:30! What the heck was I thinking? Of course it's like 10:45pm n I am still blogging and posting updates on facebbok n twitter.....need sleep!

It started to drizzle tonight we are hoping for sunshine in morning. especially since this is his first race and he has never ridden in rain before. We haven't had any here in Texas! News says at race timeitwill be 72 so we are hoping they are correct.

Carter's race will begin at 7:55am and is 31 miles long. Sean, will be driving to checkpoints to check on him and me,my mom and his brother's,Zach n Ayden will be there at beginning of race and then head over to finish. We will be taking lots of pics and posting them.

I actually think we are more nervous then Carter! Sean is busy getting all race gear ready and checking bike. He has double,triple checked all gear and has water and sport bottles ready. I on the other hand don't know anything about cycling so I am in charge of other kids and raising awareness and cheering!

Unfortunately, I am sicker than a dog and don't have much of a voice, so my normal loud mouth will not be up to par tomorrow. None the less, I will be cheering with what little voice I have left. Cause that is what mom's do!

Wish us luck, well Carter luck! Please send us tweets @carterschalleng on twitter. I will be tweeting before, during and after race. Yes, our twitter is carterschalleng without the e because the e made it too long....

Until Next Time......GO CARTER!

"Stay Strong, Believe!"Carter Hayes

Charcot Marie Tooth Awareness Month- Take The Challenge

WOW!!!! So far September has kicked off to a great start.  Between the article in the Cross Timbers Gazette, the article on National CMT Resource Center, posting posters in local doctors offices and getting ready for the Cotton Patch Challenge my head is spinning!


We also have decided to have a booth at the Marcus 2 Cross Country Invitational on September 24th.  We will be passing out information on CMT, selling Carter's Challenge bracelets, giving out CMTA bracelets n t-shirts, all to raise awareness for Charcot Marie Tooth Disease and the CMTA. 

I also will be working with local businesses to raise awareness for CMT.  Some of them are willing to help not only raise awareness but raise funds as well for research and one day a cure! 

I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW IF I, A STAY AT HOME MOM OF 4, CAN RAISE A BIT OF AWARENESS THEN U CAN TO! 

I CHALLENGE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU TO DO ONE NEW EVENT, FACEBOOK POST, EMAIL, LETTER, NEWSPAPER AD, RADIO....SOMETHING BY MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH.

EACH INDIVIDUALS EFFORTS NO MATTER HOW SMALL CAN BRING US ONE STEP CLOSER TO A CURE!

SO PLEASE TAKE ON CARTERS CHALLENGE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY.   STAY STRONG, BELIEVE!

UNTIL NEXT TIME..........U CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Charcot Marie Tooth Awareness Month Is Here!

Tomorrow is September 1st and the start of CHARCOT MARIE TOOTH AWARENESS MONTH!!!!!
I know a lot of us have been so busy getting ready to raise awareness. I wanted to say some shout outs to some very special people who I think do an outstanding job raising awareness for Charcot Marie Tooth Disease. 

• Kaitlyn and Lori Mattheis with Mission Happy Feet.  This mother, daughter duo do such a great job getting the word out by making bracelets with feet on them, blogging, holding events, making videos and more! Way to go guys!
• Elizabeth Ouellette with Charcot Marie Tooth Association. I don't even know where to begin...She does it all! Videos, school events, public speaking, fundraising, and the list goes on.  She volunteers for the CMTA and gives it everything she's got! Kudos Elizabeth!
• Melinda Lang with Living Well With CMT.  Melinda has done some amazing things for CMT. Not only does she blog about it and hold fundraisers but she also received a CMT Awareness Month  proclamation from the State Of New York and the City Of Albany!!!! Way to raise Awareness!
• Carol Liu with National CMT Resource Center. Wow this is all I can say about Carol.  She like Elizabeth seems to do it all.  Blog, tweet, editor in cheif for HNF, attorney, mom, oh and yeah wrote Arlene On the Scene.  Like I said WOW! 

I could go on and on about people from all over raising awareness and funds for CMT.  People posting on Facebook, tweeting, blogging and fundraising.  We all are stepping up to plate to help everyone who is affected by Charcot Marie Tooth.  I APPLAUD EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! 

I have made some great friendships so far in this journey, friends from all over the world!  The CMT community is AMAZING!  To my new friends Carly Andrews, Melissa Wilson Arakaki, Melissa Lykins you all have been a great support and have done wonderful things for CMT.  Keep up the outstanding work!

Until Next Time.............."STAY STRONG, BELIEVE"

CMT Awareness Month

Boy, how time flies.  I cannot believe it is almost September!  I suddenly feel like I am really far behind with everything.  There are a few things I want to ask everyone to do for us.

1. If you have a facebook account please change your Avatar to a CMT Awareness Avatar. You can find these by "liking" https://www.facebook.com/CMTAssociation please do so starting September 1st. 

2. Again, if you have facebook please put a post about CMT on your wall.  Remember, the end of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease begins with you! Activate. Educate. Donate.

3. Twitter about CMT. 

4. Put an email together about CMT and how it affects you or a loved one.  Send it to all your contacts, the more people that are aware of CMT the better chance for a cure.

That should be a good start for everyone! 

What are we doing?

• Cotton Patch Challenge- September 17th Greenville, Tx come out and support Carter's Challenge!
• Posting CMT information at local doctor offices and businesses.
• Selling bracelets and all proceeds go to STAR INTIATIVE! Go Green!
• Carter's Birthday Wish- All month- more to come in next couple of days!

Last but not least tell 3 people about CMT by Saturday. 

Until Next Time.........SPREAD AWARENESS~THE TIME IS NOW!

"Stay Strong,Believe" Carter Hayes

Charcot Marie Tooth Association Is Making Carter The October Youth Spotlight!

We just got the official word that Carter will be the Youth Spotlight on the CMTA's Youth Facebook page, for October!  He is so excited and so am I!  I know they are excited to have him too.  This is a great opportunity for Carter to tell and show other youths to stay strong, positive and believe.  His motto. Don't give up! I was told that a PR person will be contacting us soon to go over everything.  CAN YOU SAY AMAZING?

My head is still spinning from everything that is going on in our lives right now, but I know now more than ever that this is our calling.  He and I are supposed to shed  light on the Charcot Marie Tooth Disease and make more Doctors, nurses, moms, dads, teachers, communities,etc..aware of CMT  and know the signs.  So many have never heard of it or if they have, they don't know much about it.  Remember, knowledge is power and power is knowing.  THE TIME IS NOW....TIME TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT CMT!

So go check Carter out on the CMTA's Youth Facebook page in October https://www.facebook.com/#!/CMTAssociation?sk=app_6009294086.  I will of course remind you all when we get closer to October but just couldn't wait to share the great news. 

Until Next Time..........You Can Achieve If You Believe!

Stay Strong, Believe~Carter Hayes

Recommended Supplements for CMT

Just thought I would share this articl with everyone.  Good information!

Dr. Gregory Carter (CMT expert at U of Washington in Seattle) recommends the following supplements to persons with CMT.
Multi-mineral vitamin
5HTP (with cautions) (anti-depression and sleep–aid)
L-glutamine (skeletal muscle health)
L-Taurine (skeletal muscle maintenance)
L-leucine (increases the synthesis of muscle proteins)
L-methionine (amino acid)
L-tyrosine (for energy)
L-theanine (muscle spasms/twitching)
Ester C (Ester-C® Calcium Ascorbate is a unique and patented form of vitamin C. It is made using a proprietary, water-based manufacturing process which results in a pH neutral product that contains naturally occurring vitamin C metabolites. These metabolites activate the vitamin C molecules making it easier for the body to transport them from cell to cell for numerous health benefits.)

Calcium (Calcium is an essential dietary element, a constant blood calcium level being essential for the maintenance of the normal heartbeat, and for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles. Calcium ion is essential in a wide variety of important physiological processes, including muscle contraction, neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter and hormonal release, membrane integrity and permeability, signal transduction, enzyme function, and blood coagulation.)
Magnesium (An essential element which influences many enzymes needed to produce cellular energy and nerve and muscle message transmission. It affects nervous, muscular and cardiovascular systems. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential to good health. In humans it is found in bones, teeth, and red blood cells, magnesium activates many enzyme systems (such as those involved in protein digestion and energy production).
Zinc (protects against premature aging muscles of the body)

Resources: CMTA

THE TIME IS NOW! JOIN US FOR SEPTEMBER CMT AWARENESS MONTH

The end of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder begins with me. Activate. Educate. Donate. I am a part of the CMTA.

TODAY'S CHALLENGE IS EMAIL AT LEAST 5 FRIENDS OUR BLOG ADDRESS

http://www.carterschallenge.com/ TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CMT.  HELP US FIND A CURE BY RAISING AWARENESS.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO ON WHAT WE ARE DOING NEXT FOR CARTERS CHALLENGE!