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.



Happy Father's Day

A perfect song for Father's Day is by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, "Teach Your Children."  So the lyrics go:

"Teach, your children well...
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's
The one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why
If they told you, you would die
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you."

Dads!  It is your special weekend to be spoiled by your family.   Enjoy it, relish in it for you do so much throughout the year - you deserve this day - Father's Day!  What does your Dad do for you?  Fathers are an important factor in a child's development.  They teach us courage, strength and of course, baby us too.  I've enjoyed always being "Daddy's Little Girl."  Perhaps girls have different relationships with their Dads.  I can't speak from a boy's perspective.  When Dad walks in the room with joking and teasing or to relax with the family around the TV childrens' faces seem to relax with a sense of protection and security from Dad. 

What are you going to do this weekend to celebrate your Dad, Grandfather, Uncles etc?  It's difficult to find that perfect thing to say, "Thank you for all these years together. I think it may be easier when you're little - cute little foot steps to deliver the paper give Dad a big smile.  It still comes down to the same thing it did on Mother's Day - spend time together.  Bask in the love and memories you share.  Tell the funny stories and laugh out loud on the patio for a barbecue.  Play with each other and tickle Dad's funny bone by engaging his inner child in fun activities or let him relax, bask in the glory of his day!

Celebrate the Father's who have gone but still play a large role in our lives.  Do the things they love and smile thinking of doing them together.  It's a day to celebrate all Dads - those with us and beyond.  It's important to show you care.  I think of men as needing tenderness - not known for their love of expressing feelings.  Be sure to commit yourself to knowing your Dad, Grandfather, Uncle etc - talk about history to keep it alive.  Cherish the moments you share with Dad.  These are the days to hold onto!  The quiet wink or the pull of your  pony tail - savor the moments.  Guys, hold onto memories ofplaying catch or building a tree house with Dad.  Whatever the memories, hold them close to your heart.

Lets remember the hugs from Dad.  When Dad gets home, although busy from all the duties of the day - Dad walks through the door and the children light up.  Remember wrapping yourself around Dad's leg and him walking saying, "Where is that Julie?  I know she's around here somewhere."  The room filled with giggles and excitement.  A the while, I'm holding onto his leg while he pretends to not see me.  I remember the "Bear Hugs" which made me feel like I was the most important in your world.

Also exciting is that Dads take a very active role in raising children.  More Dads stay home now and it's fantastic for the whole family.  When a family unit functions like a well oiled wheel, it's magic.  It's to our parents and grand parents we owe gratitude!  Spoil Dad rotten with what he would like to do this weekend.

Thank you Dad for always being here for me and supporting my dreams.  You always knew when words weren't enough and to handle tears you brought ice cream.  Your laugh, wit, strength and humor inspire me always.  May all experience the love from a Father figure to bring a sense of security and stability to your life and fun!

Remember the rest of the song.  When we are grown the cycle is obvious and the rest of the lyrics so poignantly address the process.  So the rest goes:

"Teach your parents well
Their children's hell
Will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's
The one you'll know by.

Don't you ever ask them why
If they told you, you would cry
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you."

Happy Days of Summer

Ahhh...the sounds, smells and tastes of summer!  What do you love the most about summer?  Summer is my favorite with all the flowers, barbecues with friends, fresh herbs, lemonade, children belly laughing playing hop scotch or expressing themselves with chalk art.  This all makes me smile and sigh a sigh of contentment for the couple months we are blessed with this weather and sunshine!  The memories and positive stories of our life make us who we are today and mold our children into what they will become.

Remember the first Dairy Queen run of the summer?  Sitting outside with friends and family on the metal picnic tables - trying to eat your ice cream before it melts down your arm.  Yum!!  Oh the giggles and good times shared over ice cream.  I suppose that's why it has it's own song, "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!"  When I hear the sound of the ice cream truck playing it's kicky tune it brings back memories of running to get my beloved push-up - parents were always close behind!

Little Julie/Water Baby!

Take a moment to sit back in your chair and remember all the things which lit up your life as a child, like fire flies!  They are still magic no matter how you look at it.  Remember lying on the grass looking up at the fluffy white clouds seeing shapes and pointing them out to your very best friend?  Oh the days!  Did you make whistles out of a single blade of grass? What made you utterly joyful as a child?

I grew up with a swimming pool in the backyard which was fantastic.  All the kids played at our house and we could not be outside alone around the pool even though my brother, sister, and I were swimmers. Safety first.  In my family full on water fights were a regular occurence.  They started outside in the pool with all of us and our Dad.  We would surprise attack Mom in the kitchen with water balloons and other water ammunition.  How could she be upset with all three children giggling and her husband leading the band?  She usually ended up getting thrown in the pool.  The family dog even got involved.  He was a yellow lab mix so it was heaven for him too!

Opening Day at The Doggy Pool

Later I learned that the reason my parents bought that house was for the pool.  It was physical therapy for me.  I swam long before I walked as I have a congenital spinal birth defect.  Swimming kept me strong and active....and blissfully happy!  I didn't even realize it was technically therapy I thought I was a dolphin.  If you couldn't find me, I was swimming.  In water, I didn't feel pain either.  Plus I was competitive and swam at the township level.  It was one thing I could do better than anyone.  I always got first place, in my strokes, free and fly.  Those were the days.  My brother, sister and I would ride our bikes to swim team in the morning and back home to do chores and play then rode back for afternoon swim practice.

Being active is empowering and exhilarating. When I was young we would play line tag and who remembers freeze tag?  We played kick ball - not my strong suit!  All the neighborhood kids would play for hours, having peanut butter and jelly at each others' houses.  Remember to do the things which make you utterly happy - the way you feel when you were little with an ice cream cone in hand licking it as quickly as possible before it melts.  Get out with others and be true to yourself. 

Playing With The Kiddos!

When we are true to ourselves we are more authentic and can truly share ourselves with others.  Honor yourself.  I challenge you to do just one thing you use to do when you were little and see how it feels.  Play with your children.  Get them outside to blow dandelions which have gone to seed and watch how the seeds disperse gently in the air.  Let time stand still for a while by having fun.  It's different for everyone.

I'm still on bed rest for a CSF leak since February so I'm unable to do the things which make me happy but when I get out of bed for some water, I look out the window and get a glimpse of some flowers blooming and sometimes the little ones from the corner are outside giggling as they walk their puppy.  I take utter solace when I see the Eastern Blue Bird on the holly bushes we planted.  They are magical and I believe good luck.  I hold onto these moments for day dreams.  I day dream about swimming, sailing with my husband, sitting out side eating, gardening, riding in the car with the windows down listening to my favorite song .  Have fun.  Do it for me too!

Engage all your senses and enjoy some fun inside or outside.  Oh remember sunscreen too - something we did not do back in my day!  Have a twist cone and sing the song, "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!"  Remember to share these activities and happiness you gain with others.  Happiness is contagious.  All the moments in our lives is a book of memories, each told in a story of what makes you happy. 

Badge of Honor

The month of June is declared "Riley Month."  What is Riley you say?  Riley Children's Hospital is in Indianapolis, IN with nearly 1400 sick beds, the most of any hospital in the country.  The reason June is so very special is because there is a fundraiser called Joshua's Ride for Riley on June 24th raising funds, awareness and fun for Riley Urology who saved the life of Joshua.

This month you will hear stories from Riley kids (like myself), parents and supporters to generate excitement for the wonderful loving care Riley Children's Hospital provides to thousands families a year. Of course we will not forget our Dad's that help make the world go around on Father's Day and be prepared for a special treat celebrating a Riley Dad.  You will understand why being called a "Riley Kid" is a badge of honor.

My Riley Story

Personally having grown up with a congenital spinal birth defect, I spent quality time at Riley enduring over 40 surgeries some as an adult, as well.  The journey is a continuous one for me, perhaps looking another surgery in the eyes in the very near future.  I'm 37 so I grew up with Riley.  Riley was a small hospital back in 1981 when my family moved here from Ohio.  The Urology department was in a hallway with only a couple exam rooms.  Within that very small space, however, were exceptional health care providers leading the way medically as a State of the Art department.  The nurses, doctors, medical students, residents eased the minds of the frightened children and parents.  Their empathy and concern helped distract parents and children from some painful procedures and at times news of major surgeries which would be scheduled.

Urology Department

I remember the tile floor.  It had multiple colors and I jumped from one color to another without stepping on the lines.  In the hallway, they had books and magazines too.  My Mom would engage me in "Highlights" magazine to keep me from being afraid.  And another favorite was, "Ranger Rick."  It was a basic set up with brilliant doctors who changed my life.  After many procedures over the years, they made me continent, and in that, confident as well!  Many of the Urological surgeries are life saving procedures no one thinks about.  Entire urinary tract are reconstructed to save a childrens' kidneys and lives.  It's truly phenomenal!

Thank Your Riley Urology for Making me Continent!

Orthopedics and Neurosurgery

Wow, I spent so much time in the Orthopaedics department as well.  Sacral Agenesis (my congenital spinal anamolie) is multi-faceted, impacting the body holistically.  In order to walk I have had many corrective procedures for bilateral club feet to straighten my feet and ankle fusions (surgically fuse the ankles at 90 degrees) and muscle shortenings and lengthenings and more. What I loved was my Doctor and the Nurses.  This department was around the corner (in the 1980's) with a small waiting room and several examining rooms. My doctor was so gregarious and confident.  I idolized him really.  Before surgeries he used marker to draw the bones on my legs and "diagram" what he was going to do so I could visualize the procedure.  It helped me become a part of the process, as a child.

Out of the Gates to Walk! 

Hospital Stays

There were many long hospital stays over the years. Before the hospital expanded to different wings per illness, siblings were not allowed to visit for fear of spreading germs to the immunocompromised patients.  I went long times where I missed my twin brother and older sister.  However, the nurses were so wonderful on the floor.  When I was able to get out of my bed, I would sit at the nurses station and could call my Mom.  I was quite grown up!  Even when I used the call button for the nurse, I made my request using proper medical terminology and very politely.  They tirelessly cared for all of the children!  To this day I still can picture some special nurses I've had over the years and am so thankful they came into my life.  To lift everyone's spirits, I would wear a clown nose and plastic Spock ears when the nurses came into my room.  I did this even when I was tired and in pain.  It put a smile on all of our faces and broke the tension.  If you don't laugh you cry.  And laughter is a great release!

College Years And Beyond

As I went to college and tried to "forget" my surgeries and all that I had been going through, I was abruptly reminded.  Suddenly I was unable to walk with indescribable pain.  Ironically enough, I had never had a spinal surgery my entire life until I was 21.  This is where Orthopedics and Neurology worked together in many surgeries.  My spinal canal collapsed on the spinal cord compressing it so much that it was damaging the cord and my ability to walk and other organ functions.  After my first Laminectomy (remove bone from around the spinal cord giving the cord room to swell without injury) it was wonderful.  Immediate relief and regaining of strength.  I had about 5 of those and then 5 tether cord releases where my neurosurgeon surgically corrects an abnormality with the nerve roots.  This keeps me out of pain and walking as well. 

Thank You Riley for Taking Care of Me. It makes me Happy!

What Can You Do? 

All Riley Kids grow up quickly seeing life and death as a child.  It molded me into an empathetic, independent, happy individual who wants to pay it forward and help other children and families struggling.  Join me in honoring Joshua's fight to live in just 4 short years.  He's endured many long, arduous surgeries at the hands of Dr. Cain and Dr. Rink at Riley Children's Hospital in Urology. 

Remember to engage in activities which make you happy and share the heart beats during that activity with Riley Kids.  It's sharing compassion that gives families hope when they see the number increase, knowing that so many people have done something positive in their honor.  The weather is nice now, if you want to bike ride, walk your dog, play Frisbee, or read, do yoga, spend time laughing with friends, volunteer.  Make doing positive activities a part of your daily life and it will become a habit.  Share that happiness with Riley Kids who can view that as a giant get well card from the world.  Log your Happy HeartBeats at http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp.

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Will you join me in generating excitement as Joshua's Ride For Riley approaches?  Spread the word.  You can log happy heartbeats wherever you are located by doing a  positive activity that day.  It will connect all of us.  Read Joshua's story at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/keith-krimmel-1/keithkrimmelsfundraisingpage to donate to Riley Urology who saved Joshua's life and gave his family hope!  This is one of many, many stories of survival at Riley including mine.

Calling ALL Mothers!

All Mothers, Aunts, Grandmas, sisters...the day dedicated to YOU is quickly approaching.  What does Mother's Day mean to you?  What memories do you have?  Some gifts were the perfect one that year and other years I bet you just couldn't find that one thing which says, "Mom YOU are the best!"  It's difficult to really show your gratitude to the woman who has raised you or nurtured you as your Mother has.  We all have women in our lives, our Mothers, sisters, Aunts, Grandmothers, and those who filled those roles, who have taken care of us in our time of need and celebrated us when flying high in the stars. This day is yours!

Growing up with special needs from my rare congenital birth defect, Sacral Agenesis, there were many Mother's Days that I probably didn't even know (because so young) that my Mom was just grateful to have all of her chicklets with her.  Just having us there was probably gift enough.  I think at the end of the day it's about being there for Mom the way she has always been there for us.  Sure, we buy flowers and other gifts but it's the time spent but it's time spent with Mom that means the most.  Mother's Day is our turn to shower you with love and gifts.     

I speak from being the daughter of the World's Best Mother (perhaps a little bias) who has been here through thick and thin for all of her children.  For me, we've weathered over 40 surgeries together, countless doctor appointments and tests where my Mom stood, like a rock, during each and every one!!  I can't imagine the strength it took watching her baby writhing in pain, at times and others suffering after surgery and during the time leading up to surgery.  She has and continues to be here for me and now my husband and I during difficult times medically. 

This year Mother's Day, as every Mother's Day is a celebration.  Because I'm still recovering from a Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) leak and have to remain on bed rest, we are bringing the party to our house and eating "bed side."  Yes I do have the best most adaptive family :)  What matters is that we will be together, even though, it will be in our bed room with black out curtains and end tables, we will still have each other and have surprises for the Woman of Honor Sunday :)  It's what we make of a situation that matters.  In light of suffering and my Mom having to be strong, still, we will celebrate her with all our hearts because she has loved us all so dearly.

Happy Mother's Day

Thanks for ALWAYS being here for me and always making life fun!

As a daughter it means something words don't even do justice to say thank you to my Mom.  Saying I feel lucky isn't even enough to describe the gratitude I have for my Mom.  Without her, I wouldn't have been raised to try everything, even if I fell.  I was never treated differently than my twin brother or older sister.  My Mom empowered me and gave me the confidence to try and take on challenges with my whole heart and gusto.  Sure she had to pick me up when I fell but if she hadn't been that force of strength, encouragement and love I would not have grown up to be an independent, loving and open woman.  

Thank you to ALL Mothers, Aunties, Grandmas for loving us from generation to generation.  You have made each of your children stronger and better people for it!  I hope you are spoiled rotten with a day filled with flowers, cookouts, and most of all LOVE.  We do know how much you love us and today is your day to accept that love from all of us daughters, sons, grandsons, nephews ecetera.  Each day is a gift to share with each other.

I don't feel an expert with being a Mother since we aren't able to have children.  We certainly love them, all children.  We love our nephews and niece and those of our friends.  I have to say coming to grips with not having children or being able to physically care for a child was not easy.  I realized as I watered all my inside plants and planned my gardens...I am a Mother.  I nurture everything and everyone around me.  I whole heatedly think that being the Mother to an animal is loving with all your heart.  Knowing nothing, you get your first puppy, discipline as it attempts eating rugs or base boards.  Then seemingly overnight they are full grown grown, then age and move more slowly until that one day when...It's like loving animals is a love that never stops because within a certain amount of time we ended up with our next puppy, Stella!  Over and over again, we know loving a puppy, raising it will lead to that "one day."  I wouldn't trade loving and having Stella in my life for anything and yes I miss George (our first baby) daily.  It's like my Cousin put it beautifully, no other dog will ever replace George, it will make your heart bigger.  It has!  By the time we are old and don't have pets, we will have really large hearts!

To all women who nurture each other, children, friendships, plants, nephews, nieces, cats, dogs ecetera, we know how to love too!  Hats off to you, because to love openly, is not something just anyone can do.  I am forever in debt to my Mom, Aunties, Grandmas, sister, cousins, friends and more.  Your love makes this wold a better place.

And so I conclude with the wise words sung by Jackie DeShannon, "What the world needs now is love sweet love, its the only thing that there's just too little of..no not just for one, oh, but for everyone..."  Remember to love freely and openly and to share that love with those around you.  Watch the world become a better place because of your love.  Thank you Mom for teaching me love and so much more!

Our First Luv Bug, George!

Our Second Baby Luv, Stella!

Remember to share your happiness and joy this weekend with "Riley Kids" at Riley Children's Hospital at http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp.
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Our love expands to all the children and Mothers spending the weekend in the hospital. Share your Happy HeartBeats of compassion and love with the Riley Kids, remember I am one too, and all their Mothers this weekend!  Pay your love forward.  Riley Children's Hospital is a family in and of itself with the loving care they extend.

Penguin Kids Fitness - Inspiring Children to Be Active!

Hi and welcome to this guest blog by me, the creator and owner of Penguin Kids Fitness. Thanks to the amazing support of Julie and the Happy Heartbeats team, I have been invited to write this blog and thought I would take the opportunity to explain about the reasoning and inspiration behind the website and why there is such determination to see it grow and grow, plus be seen across the world by a large number of people.

First of all, my name is Stephen. I started the website for Penguin Kids Fitness in November 2011, and in order to be able to remember the date forever, launched on 11/11/11. It wasn’t quite 11:11am, but was incredibly close, so I can safely say that this special day will never be forgotten. The concept has evolved massively since the start and has gone from me setting out to teach classes across the UK to children to get them to be active, evolving into promoting people doing this and also promoting products as well as services to ensure all aspects of children’s welfare is now covered.

The website is now at a position where the purposes are strongly defined and I am working towards two main goals, which are the following:

1.  To promote products and services that benefit the health, fitness and wellbeing of children

2.  To engage with children to inspire and motivate them to take part in sport and physical activity

I have explained how the first element evolved, and I have seen positive reaction to promoting a wide range of products and services. This started with promoting businesses and organisations across the UK, but with the help of launching a French speaking version of the website, the website(s) now promote products and services which are international, as well as businesses and organisations nationally in UK, USA, France and Ireland. This is growing and there is now the clear aim to promote and be seen across the world, wholly aided by the fact that the main promotion and marketing is through Twitter and Facebook, which makes all of this possible.

The engagement side of the Penguin Kids Fitness business is done through two main aspects. Work is being done to create lots of resources for teachers which will help them to make PE more fun and get more kids engaged, inspired and motivated to take part in sport and physical activity. The other way that the site is engaging with children is to target them directly through the "Stuff for Kids" section Meet The Characters, which has seen the creation of a total of 24 Penguins, each one representing a different sport. A working progress, the eventual aim is for each penguin to have a profile, an interview with them plus more details on the sport they play and how kids can start playing that sport.

Play Hockey with Klaus!

There are other elements and areas on the "Stuff for Kids" section, and hopefully I have whetted your appetite to check out the site and find out what these other areas are. I feel I can say that you will discover even better things when you get there, and I hope that kids will walk away wanting to discover a new sport or take part in different activities.

Go Swimming With Karen!



The drive to create Penguin Kids Fitness has really come from wanting to make a real impact on the life of our younger generations, and to ensure that they get the most out of all the opportunities which now exist for them. As well as all these fantastic and motivating opportunities which would see kids running around and trying different activities, there seems to be an equal amount of opportunities which would actually prevent them from taking part in sport. Whether the various distractions of television, computer games and computer activities, or the need for them to do lots and lots of work in subjects for school, the main thing that now lacks in a child’s life is the ability to run around, be free and burn energy. I know I am not alone in being worried that this could have a very bad effect on their lives, especially as the habits we develop later in life are founded upon the habits we teach ourselves as a child. As a result, it is really important that we get our children to run around more and take part in sport and physical activity, as this means they will be more likely to take part in sport or go out running when they are older, thinking of this as natural.

Go Cycling With Fabienne!

I think that just about explains why and what the Penguin Kids Fitness website is all about. What started as a website which I thought would be seen by a few people has grown to something that is now seen around the world, and it is quite nice to think about this. The steady growth of the website and support has been really positive, and I am looking forward to it growing more and more as the site is developed with the number of resources that are available for parents, teachers and children.

If you have not yet seen the website, you can check it out at www.penguinkidsfitness.com. To stay up to date with all updates and see when new links and resources arrive on the website, follow/like us on twitter (our profile is @PenguinKidsFit) or on Facebook (our page is www.facebook.com/PenguinKidsFitness).

Have Penquin Fun!!

Children will Love Playing Along Side the Penquin Characters!

Please feel free to contact us is you have any questions you want answered. The contact details are on the website, or you can use the contact forms and they will come through to me.

I hope you have enjoyed this guest blog. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Julie for giving me the opportunity, and hope you keep following her blog to follow the fantastic work and inspiration she provides through the Happy Heartbeats Counters (I support and follow her, and there is a link to her blog on the Penguin Kids Fitness website).

I hope you all have a good week.

Thanks, Stephen

Disclaimer

When Saying Thank You Isn't Enough...

In this Happy HeartBeats blog we naturally discuss finding happiness and feeding our souls with positivity, then sharing that with others; a pay it forward system.  There are times when being on the receiving end of the compassion is extremely overwhelming.  What do we do when there are no words to thank those around us for giving so much? 

Recently I've been struggling with a Cerebral Spinal Fluid leak.  I fell about two weeks ago, sustaining a significant concussion.  I have not been myself or able to write and share/motivate those around me.  It's been terribly lonely and terrifying.  My husband has been lovingly at my side to calm me from the cognitive side effects, confusion, agitation, ringing in the ears, nausea etc.  He is ALWAYS here!  My parents always come to bring food, even more than they had been.  Without their help, the stress would be so much more overwhelming.

Talk about sharing happiness and compassion with others!  I am surrounded by a family and some friends who never leave my side, no matter what medical challenge comes my way.  I know, or think I remember being so weird to talk to because of the confusion and agitation.  Yet, they all remained here, loving me.  I found out just today, from the tests, that I sustained just soft tissue damage in my head, neck and lower back where the CSF leak.  For me that is excellent news considering what could have happened.  A definite silver lining in light of a scary fall.  I did find my humor by posting a song the other day on Face Book.  That's my thing.  I usually like to post songs to fill peoples' days with humor or inspiration instead of talking about myself.  I posted the song, "If I Only Had a Brain," from the musical The Wizard of Oz because I was so frustrated from not being able to think clearly.  I'm still struggling but the old me is coming back :).

Loving Family!

 

The thing is, that those who love so freely and share their hearts openly are around all of us.  It's also allowing and accepting that compassion and love.  I still don't know how to thank everyone who stands by me still.  There are no words to do justice to that type of sharing. That's what Happy HeartBeats is all about.  It's important when you are on the receiving end and are down in the dumps to cherish the people in your life who really comprehend compassion and empathy.  These are virtues not many possess but so many of us are lucky to receive.  Interesting statistic.  Hold them close to your heart and remember...always pay it forward.  We thank those who are here for us every day, our significant others, children, parents, siblings, grand parents, animals etcetra but to do their actions justice, we must share the same type of love, joy and compassion with others.  This completes the circle and makes our world a loving place.  It's not a thing for dreamers.  I am living proof and if it weren't for everyone around me who have chosen to love me, for me, and despite me, that I smile and can share it, and hopefully inspire!

True Blue Friend!

Saying thank you seems trite in light of the good deeds of others.  Then there are others committed to going another step.  They give themselves wholey to charities and causes close to their hearts.  We're not able to have children due to health issues but growing up a Riley Kid, I identify with the struggles of being a child at Riley Children's Hospital.  Being in the loving hands of the staff, from doctors to food service who enter the room with love and a smile.  They not what their empathy means to the entire family.  Well, for my husband and I, those kids, the Riley Kids are our kids!  Please pay it forward, in your life, and share with  those at Riley Children's Hospital http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp .  It's free and takes just 60 seconds to give hope and inspiration to those who need a lift from others. 

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Compassion is a virtue which needs to be passed onto others so those on the receiving end experience true empathy and are able to share it with others.  Will you join me in thanking those around us, in the only way that truly does justice to who and what they are?

Be prepared for an amazing guest blogger for the following entry.  If I told you who it was I'd be sharing too much.  Stay tuned...