July 31, 2011 Just a note

Nothing eventful as far as the walk.  Infact I've been lazy as far as walking because we had a houseguest from Switzerland flying in today and I had some other things I wanted to get done as far as that went.

Any-who...so why am I posting today?  Well I was thinking.  I'm not going to get long winded.  I'm not going to explain why because I think if you do you will understand why.  I'm just going to highly suggest that sometime when you are on here take the time to read a blog or journal one of the current cross country travelers has been so kind to share with us.

Like one of the following-

http://www.natewalksamerica.com/
http://ameranth.wordpress.com/
http://www.tylercoulson.com/

July 27, 2011 A FAMILY AFFAIR????

Hey!  I'm excited!  Although I think he will need a LOT of encouragement to hold to this! lol Derek *said he wants to train with me and  use his vacation time to walk with me starting out next summer if our daughter Caitlyn wants to do it too. (Once school lets out)  I'm looking forward to getting in shape as a couple if not a family! :)  As well as seeing the country in this way.  It should be interesting.   He walked with me part of the way on my first training walk, but not all the way.  I went 5 miles while he went about half that.  So much to do to prepare when I WISH we could set out right now!

I should warn you...I'm a shutterbug...you can count on LOTS of pictures.  In the top one I was trying to capture rainbows in the clouds but my pictures just don't do God's beauty justice.  The 2nd is Derek admiring a turtle in a small stream and last is, well..just road. lol 

Please help me keep Derek encouraged about this if not more excited! 

July 26, 2011 planning

Hello!  My name is Lori Jones and I am a 43 yr old wife and mother of 2.  I have battled FMS (Fibromyalgia) and CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) since I was 13yrs old.  While science and the public has come a long way over the past 30 years it amazes me how, despite the millions that suffer daily from these diseases, so little is still known, so few have even heard of them and of those who have so many have been misinformed.  We who suffer also face a negative stigma that was attached to these early on, as I have discovered happens to many with new illnesses and afflictions  until science can finally explain them.  I find it shameful on our medical professionals and those who find it impossible to believe a person unless they can have cold hard facts sitting in front of them.  It demoralizes the patient and often shames the patient into withdrawing from society and from seeking help.  Which leads to FMS and CFS (also known as ME or Myalgic Encephalophy) having one of the highest suicide rates among it's sufferers.  How many other disabling diseases require that the sufferer not only battle their disease but defend their reputation due to having the disease as well?  There are only a handful of them and it's so very very wrong.  Sufferers of FMS/CFS did nothing to bring these devastating illness' on themselves so why are they punished as if they did?

MISSION

It is my goal, my mission,  despite the pain and exhaustion my body feels, to set out on a cross country walk to raise awareness and hopefully funds to help families financially burdened by these illness'.  I *Hope to walk across the United States but that isn't the ultimate goal.  I will be happy if my body allows me to walk the eastern sea coast.  At the same time I will continue walking as far as my body will allow even if I do reach the Pacific.  For me personally the physical challenge is to log miles period and to keep walking.  With Fibromyalgia we need to keep as active as our bodies will allow to help manage the pain.  But due to being a smoker (which I will be one yr smoke free next week!) I faced repeated hospitalizations for pneumonia over the past 5 years.  This caused me to be basically bedridden and gave the diseases the upper hand.  Now I am fighting back for control of my body! 

I know this won't be easy.  I am currently in the planning phase.  Trying to get the supplies I will need together and figure out the best way I will be able to successfully do this.  God willing, this WILL be successful!