Joshua's Ride For Riley

Joshua's Ride for Riley 2012

Sunday, June 24th
Carmel Cyclery Bicycle Shop
230 W. Carmel Drive
Just west of the Monon Trail on Carmel Drive
1:30 Adult Ride, Kids Activities, Live Music, Silent Auction, Bounce House
Carmel Fire Department, Food
2:15 Kids Ride
2:30 SNAKE HEAD ED
Silent Auction Items
-Jewelry from Distinctive Diamonds
-Autographed Tony Stewart Replica Helmet
-Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two
-Autographed Shoes from Tamika Catchings
-Kings Island Tickets
- And more!!!!
ADMISSION IS FREE, DONATIONS ACCEPTED. FREE T-SHIRT TO THE FIRST 125 PEOPLE WHO MAKE A DONATION THE DAY OF THE RIDE.

Joshua's Riley Urology Story

Joshua was born with a rare condition called Prune Belly Syndrome. Dr. Cain, from Riley Urology the day he was born, explained that the syndrome occurs in 1/40,000 live births and about 98% of them are boys. Prune Belly Syndrome is a congenital syndrome of the Urinary Tract System, characterized by a triad of symptoms. These include a partial or complete lack of Abdominal Muscles, undescended testicles and urinary tract abnormalities such as a very large bladder. He further explained that Joshua would be very susceptible to all kinds of infections, primarily Urinary Tract Infections, but that all types could cause problems. We were told to prepare to spend a lot of time in the hospital and he would have several surgeries. My wife and I will never forget the comforting words of Dr. Cain that night before he left, “Don’t worry about the future and the hurdles that will come, enjoy your child love him and take care him. When the hurdles do come, we will get you over them.” Riley has been here every step of the way and continues to support our family.

The Story Continues

Joshua developed the first of many Urinary Tract Infections and was taken to Surgery before he was a month old. Soon after that first surgery, he was transferred to the NICU at Riley. While there, he continued to grow and had one more trip to the operating room. The staff at Riley was wonderful and took good care of Joshua and comforted us in our time of desperation. From the doctors down to those in the Maintenance Department at Riley, understand that the patient's family has needs and they all rise to the occasion with empathy and sincerity.
Finally, on Christmas Eve, after almost 7 weeks in the NICU, we received the news that Joshua was ready to go home. Christmas was really a merry one for all of us, big brother Matthew got to meet his baby brother for the first time and the whole family was together for Christmas. Thank you Riley for the a Christmas we will never forget.
Joshua's Spirit Shines On
This is just the beginning our Joshua’s Riley Story and that story continues to be written with each appointment and test that is run and will continue to be written for many years to come. In March, 2010 Joshua was back at Riley for 2 ½ weeks with another Urinary Tract Infection and endured one more trips to the operating room. In September, it was 3 days with a minor infection and as this is being written we are preparing for another stay in Riley for more surgery. Recently, March 2011 he endured a 11 1/2 hour marathon surgery to fix his Urinary tract and do a tummy tuck so he has abdominal muscles in the right place and looks right. After his surgery, he spent 3 weeks in the hospital recovering. The amazing thing - he is the happiest child you will ever meet, with a smile that will break your heart. His spirit is a gift to everyone who meets him.

Why Riley Urology?

The 5 doctors in this practice are the only Pediatric Urology Specialists in the State of Indiana. They see close to 9,000 patients at all Indianapolis area hospitals and 5 clinics in outlying cities in Indiana. Led by doctors Richard Rink and Mark Cain, this practice has been rated #3 in the country by US News and World Report for the past 3 years, and are world renowned in the Urological community. Although ranked among World Leaders in Pediatric Urology, Riley Urology does not have a research fund or endowment of its own. The money raised will allow these doctors to continue their research and develop new treatments. 

No matter where you are located you can be a part of the fun and fundraising.  Donate at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/keith-krimmel-1/keithkrimmelsfundraisingpage and also feel connected with us here in Indy by doing a positive activity in honor of Joshua and his family as well as Riley Children's Hospital which serves hundreds of thousands of sick children. No amount is ever, ever to small to make a difference in a child's life, a family's life.

Donate your Happy Heart Beats at http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp.

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Participate by sharing your compassionate heartbeats.  All Riley Kids, in the hospital to those grown, like me feel stronger when the number climbs!  It makes the world a smaller place, connecting us all through our humanity, compassion for others all while doing positive activities to increase your overall happiness.



What Makes You Happy?

As Happy HeartBeats Ambassador and Spokes Person comes much responsibility.  Happy HeartBeats empowers YOU to become more happy and engaged in life and share that with Riley Kids. None of us know when the next "speed bump" that will develop but with the compassion you share, we know we have so many loving people giving us strength and hope.

So what makes you happy? What leaves you with a smile that comes from within and shows on your beautiful face?  Is it dancing, walking, doing puzzles, reading, doing yoga, meditation, prayer, playing with your children, volunteering, date night, going out with friends you haven't seen in a while, vacation etc?  It is different for everyone. I feel a responsibility to ensure YOU find happiness from within.  As an exercise, let me know what activities give you a lift.  Let's get interactive here. When we identify those things which make you happy, you will want to do them over and over again. 

Julie and Hubby, Mark Sailing for Happy HeartBeats!

Sharing Our Happy HeartBeats Gives Even More Meaning to What We Love!

Share your Happy HeartBeats at http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp with Riley Kids. You will find your outlook on life changes. Instead of forcing on the negative news, you will be able to watch it once, take it in, and go on with your day.  It doesn't mean we forget what happens in the world. Happy HeartBeats make the world a smaller place connecting us together though shared Happy HeartBeats.  The number represents all of us contributing our Happy HeartBeats while doing what makes us happy.  How wonderful to know that many others were doing something in any given day that you were, then share those who need it most.  We don't know from where those HeartBeats originate, but we do know that we are connected with others around the world for one common interest, sharing our happiness with others.

Something has been tugging at my heart strings for a while that I'd like to share. Being Spokes Person for Happy HeartBeats is truly an honor. Sharing happiness echoes what Happy HeartBeats empowers us all to do. As those who face any challenges, I'm sure you've probably surmised it's not always been sunshine and roses growing up with a birth defect and having so many surgeries, with a continuing journey. Being happy isn't about wearing a smile to convince yourself you're happy.  Happiness is being authentic and honestly representing yourself.  For example, I do have my bad days.  It's normal and natural.  I even sometimes get grumpy :)  For me, it's been important to be able to just verbalize, "Today is a bad pain day," or recognize what struggles I'm facing.  It's taken many years to realize it's not complaining, rather it's being fair to those around me to be honest about what I'm feeling.  We cannot expect others to read our minds.  It will get lonely not opening up to others.

In college I realized that I couldn't just pretend any of "this" was happening to me, life with Sacral Agenesis.  You'd think my first clue would have been having more surgeries than I am old but I'm really head strong.  I wanted to think that I could do anything and push through whatever pain there was.  Well, when I was a junior in college I was put in a wheelchair and, at the time, they said "forever."  I freaked out.  It really took until I was 21 to actually accept that what I had been living was extraordinarily different than most.  Now I use my really cool wheel chair for distances and walk in the house and sometimes use my walker when I go out, depending on my energy.  I learned that pushing through was only going to hurt ME, physically.  My whole life I was no different than others, as far as I could see.  Life is about adaption and that's what I do very naturally.  We can still achieve what we set our minds to, we just take different paths to reach the finish line. It was the year I will never forget because I started opening up and sharing my feelings.

It's wonderful to be happy and comfortable with where I am, in life.  I do believe there is a silver lining in everything, even on days it's most difficult to see.  It will show itself.  Sure, maybe it needs to polished, but it's there. I realize that in order to be the best Spokes Person leading others to find what makes them happy, I needed to share what I've learned. Life's journey is bumpy with detours and winding roads.  It's important to roll down the windows, let the wind blow through your hair and sing along to what's on the radio. With the "speed bumps" life places in our path, doesn't it feel better to have someone or some way to cope. Armed with people, activities or moments that bring our soul joy ensures we always take the exit to optimism.  

Here we are full circle.  What makes YOU happy!! I look forward to hearing what those activities are.  It's nice to know we are not alone in life and Happy HeartBeats provides a hypothetical journal of activities leading us to innate happiness.  Comment on the blog to share your activities in life that bring you happiness.  It's getting back to the basics in a hectic world.  Isn't it so neat that the world is a community built on happy experiences shared with each other?  I look forward to hearing from you this week.  Also if it's difficult to leave a comment, email me at hemkerjulie@gmail.com to share your happy activities.  Let's shake things up!

My Friend Walks Her Dogs and Shares Her and Their Happy HeartBeats to Riley Kids!

Thank you for sharing your compassion and motivating others to get involved!!