The Journey
Noticings, wonders, reflections, and things I have learned.
The past year has been one of great challenge, but also one of immense hope. The people I have met along this journey, especially those who have dedicated their lives to the science of this fight to cure ALS, fuel this hope.
I have had the opportunity to work closely with the good and brilliant people at ALS TDI, be inspired by their work and enthusiasm, and educated by their quest. Earlier this month I was asked to join their Board of Trustees. I believe in their mission and their work, but I am inspired by their people. Please see this link for the press release about me ... and follow this link to learn more about ALS TDI and the groundbreaking work they do.
2 Comments
I was the grateful recipient of a childhood spent in the arms of the community built around helping others, my boys are now as well. There is nothing quite like having a village of friends and family looking out for you, calling you out when you do something dumb, and wrapping you up in a hug when you need it most.
A friend shared quote recently, "you don't know the power of a community until you are part of one." Over the last two weeks, 1100 members of our Greenwich Country Day family broke the world record for the ice bucket challenge, we raised over $200,000 for ALS research and care, and I began making plans for my first trip to South Korea to receive stem cell therapy. I am so grateful to have this opportunity, but I am forever indebted for my community, near and far. The support, love, and enthusiasm with which our friends and family have helped us is overwhelming and deeply appreciated. My life over the last two years has been anything but uneventful – I can't imagine that will change! I'm looking forward to sharing that continued journey. October 17 Dear Friends, Over the past five years I have had many occasions to reflect with gratitude on this community. Never has that been more powerful than this past weekend. The love and support our family feels from this community is overwhelming and wonderful. Thank you. My new position this fall has afforded me a unique perspective on the whole of our school. I have had the opportunity to teach Upper School design classes, work with faculty in our Middle and Upper School, shake hands in all three divisions, write an article or two, and dive deeply into the schoolwide work of health and wellness. A purposeful day is one in which you seize the opportunity to learn something new – I am distinctly advantaged in this pursuit! There has never been a more exciting time in ALS research and care. However, there is so much still to learn and one of the greatest challenges is making the advances in science available to everyone who might benefit. Collaboration will be a key in ending this disease, and our charity partners for the Walkathon are dedicated to this aim. One of the most exciting scientific advances in developing therapies has been in stem cell treatments. Thanks to the support of our family trust, I will have the opportunity to travel to South Korea three times over the next four months to receive this therapy. The data on their early work is remarkable, and I am hopeful that it will make a real difference. Thank you for helping to make this possible. With love, Andrew, Eliza, McCrory, and Towns |