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!!

From Pampers to Panties

Hi!  I am Julie, proud to be a Riley Kid!  I was born with Complete Sacral Agenesis, a rare congenital neural tube birth defect where I am missing my entire sacrum and L5 of the spinal column.  This disorder manifests itself globally, impacting Urological, Neurological, Orthopedic function and more. Because I lack the nerve intervention from the waist down, I was incontinent until age 7.  Riley has always been an innovative leader in medicine and The Urology department is no exception.  At age 7, they implanted a new, at the time device, the Artificial Urinary Sphincter to control my bladder.  It required a couple surgeries to implant and I was the youngest during those early years to receive one.  It was wonderful.  I was dry!!!  I was able to wear "undies" like everyone else!!  We even had a "Panty Party" with a cake made in the shape of “undies” and I was so proud!  Over the years to follow it was replaced and several times and finally removed about 5 years ago.

Also I had a bladder augmentation when I was 13.  This is a reconstructive surgery where they used my intestines to enlarge my bladder so I could have normal bladder capacity since I was my bladder never developed beyond infant size. Again my life was changed completely!  I also have a neurogenic bladder where I live with painful spasms and pay close attention to completely empty so that my kidneys stay healthy while Riley Urology monitors this situation to keep me healthy.

Without Riley Urology's medical expertise, support and love I would not be the woman I am today. Countless other children would not have stories to tell because of treatment received from the Riley Urology team.  Riley Urology changes lives and gives freedom to children and their families. Thank you for holding me in your hand as you do each child you see! Sacral Agenesis has other medical implications. I grew up at Riley, having over 40 surgeries. My commitment to Riley is life-long as is my medical journey. Knowing what I have survived at Riley and also seeing the realities of life at a young age gives me the courage, strength and positivity to take on every challenge as an opportunity!

Be a part of the Riley family by supporting Riley Urology with a donation as well as uploading Happy HeartBeats to the Riley Urology Happy HeartBeats Counter™.  Riley Urology needs your help to continue saving our children. Share your financial donations at: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/HappyJulieHemker/juliehemkersfundraisingpage. Remember to share your Happy HeartBeats of compassion at: http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp.  Every Riley Kid needs to know they are loved by many.  Seeing the number climb as you engage in happy, healthy activities and sharing those Happy HeartBeats with us, empowers us to tackle the next obstacle knowing we have a "bank" of positive thoughts to energize us for each subsequent challenge.  It's a life long battle as is your happiness.  Sharing that happiness with Riley Urology Kids is a win/win where you become happier as do the kids with whom you share your Happy HeartBeats.

From Pampers to Panties thanks to Riley Urology!

Me smiling at my very own "Panty Party!" Thanks Mom, you always know what to do and say!