Tag Archives: Super Bowl

Avery’s Bucket List

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Avery’s Bucket List.

Facts about SMA & My Weekend

Is 191,000 page views in less than 7 full days a lot?  Mommy & daddy say it is a lot of people and if I stop now, I should be very proud of myself because I’ve reached thousands of people who’d never heard of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).  I politely told mommy & daddy that while it’s nice a few thousand people are aware of SMA because of my story, I’m of  the belief that my story, along with the stories of other families with SMA and the facts about SMA, should be known by millions.  So thank you to everyone for sharing and supporting my story!  Always remember, the best way to help & the kindest gift you can give me is the gift of a broader voice.  So please continue helping me spread awareness about SMA by forwarding my blog to everyone you know.

Before I share my weekend, here are some facts about Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA):
1 in 40 people (that’s over 7,500,000 people) in the U.S. alone are carriers of SMA.  I lost count somewhere between my big toe and my pinky toe, but doesn’t that seem like an awfully BIIIIIIG number for most people to have never even heard of the #1 genetic killer of infants and children under the age of 2?  And if you think about it, that number could be significantly higher than 7.5 million.  I mean, do you recall when your last SMA carrier test was?  Or the last time an SMA carrier test was offered to you?

I know my mommy & daddy were never offered a test to see if they were SMA carriers.  Did you know you can ask your doctors to test you and your partner for the SMA carrier gene prior to conceiving children?  And did you know that if you both carry the SMA gene you can use alternative fertilization methods (ewwwwww yucky) to ensure your children will be born without SMA?  Or if you prefer, you can still try and conceive a child naturally (again, ewwwwwww), in which case you’ll be susceptible to the following probabilities (proba what?):

There’s a 1 in 4 chance my new friend will contract SMA; a 2 in 4 chance my new friend will be a carrier of SMA; and a 1 in 4 chance my new friend will not be effected by SMA at all.  So based on this, it’s probable that a couple who have never been tested for the carrier gene, could unknowingly both be carriers and already have 1 or more healthy friends for me.  But if they decide to make me another friend, then they are susceptible to the probability figures above.

Oh and just because you have ZERO family history of SMA or any other muscular disease, that does not mean it’s not in your family history.  My mommy & daddy asked all of our living relatives to go back as far as they could, and nobody could think of anyone who ever showed signs of SMA or any other muscular related diseases.  And according to daddy, Nana Sandi has a lifetime subscription to Ancestry.com and when she’s not having fun with me, playing Words With Friends or Castleville (whatever that means), she’s researching our family history and she couldn’t find anything either.

This was my weekend…

My mommy made a new friend named Courtney whose daughter Kaitlin had SMA Type 1 like me.  Courtney told mommy that she used to put Kaitlin in the bathtub because it took this thing called gravity away and would allow Kaitlin to move her arms and legs better.  OMG, thank you Courtney for telling mommy about this because I had soooooooo much fun…

…daddy told me that I may have to make a public service announcement (huh?) apologizing for what he calls my Janet Jackson Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction moment towards the end of my bath time performance…I’m sorry?  for whatever that means.

I also received my first request to be someone’s Valentine…thanks Uncle Ryan & Aunt Lacey for buying me roses the size of my head!  Daddy told me to watch out, just in case these ridiculously giant roses want to go Little Shop of Horrors on me…whatever that means.

Mommy keeps telling me to be thankful I got her looks and her personality.  Daddy keeps telling mommy she’s right.  Mommy being right seems to happen a lot and if you’re scoring at home, that’s Mommy-4, Daddy-0.

Daddy says he lets mommy win, but I know that’s not true.
Mommy-4, Me-1, Daddy-minus 2.  Daddy loses one point for lying to me and an extra point for lying to himself.

I tasted my first Cheeto, and probably my last after daddy ruined it by reading the nutritional value to me.
And probably my favorite part of the weekend was when my daddy took the advice of this nice man who asked my daddy for money at a stop light, but my daddy told him he didn’t have any cash and if the nice man ever got a Wi-fi connection and a credit card machine he’d make a killing.
Me, mommy, daddy, Nana Sandi, G-Pa, and the Bormaster/Feinstein family (Grauntma Leslie, Grandpa Scooter, my Aunt’s Alli, Kelly, and Kimmie, and Uncle Jeffrey) had the beeeeeeeeeeeeest time flying a kite.Daddy told me there’s three things I should take from my kite flying experience.

#1. Hopefully that nice man doesn’t take daddy’s advice.
#2. The next time someone tells you to “go fly a kite”.  Do it and then send them a picture.  It’s a lot of fun!
#3. Grauntma Leslie is a Grauntma because she’s old enough to be my grandma, but she looks good enough to be my aunt…daddy also told me to say that Grandpa Scooter is an overachiever…whatever that means.

I’m pooped!
Items I Can Scratch Off My Bucket List:
1. Move my legs for mommy & daddy
2. Rock a bikini!
3. Take a big girl bath
4. Get asked out for a Valentine’s date
5. Tasted solid foods
6. Fly a kite
7. Sit on daddy’s shoulder
8. Pass out on the couch watching infomercials.


Up Next:
Yesterday, some of my new friends helped me spread my message about SMA and I will post links & videos later today or tomorrow:104 KRBE – Roula & Ryan Show
FOX 26 News Houston
CBS 11 News Houston
Tonight, some of my uncle’s are throwing me a Texas backwoods birthday party…whatever that means.


Don’t forget to share my story by following & forwarding my blog, following me on Twitter  (AveryBucketList) and Like Me on Facebook (Averys Bucket List)!  While it may or may not help me in my lifetime, the more people who are aware of SMA, the less likely future children will be born with SMA, and the more likely there will one day be a cure for children who already have SMA!

http://www.facebook.com/AverysBucketList

https://twitter.com/#!/AveryBucketListIf there’s anything you’d like to mail me, you can send it to:


Avery’s Bucket List
PO BOX #2849
Bellaire, TX 77402


Also, my mommy & daddy wanted me to make sure you know that any monetary contributions will be used towards continued SMA awareness and the further advancement of research to find a cure for SMA.

Read, while crying, over at Avery’s Bucket List

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The Daily Climb-Sunday, Feb. 5th, 2012 | The Daily Climb-Daily Posting Of Relevant Content

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The Daily Climb-Sunday, Feb. 5th, 2012 | The Daily Climb-Daily Posting Of Relevant Content.

Sunday, Feb. 5th, 2012 –  This being Super Bowl Sunday, I know that a lot of people want to be absent from reality long enough to enjoy the game. Reality will still be there, on Monday. the security measures in place in and around the game site should give us a good measurement of how much abuse people will tolerate. Being poked, prodded, groped and microwaved would be way over the line, for most people. Yet, the attraction of the game will still draw people through the cattle inspection and into a glorified stockyard. If that’s what people want, let them have it. We still have to face the real world, even in our diversions. If people can’t find enough distraction, they always have politics.

Having been homeless in Colorado, I was aware of violence against the homeless, years ago. I am also aware of the lifeline provided by the O. U. R. Center, the H.O.P.E. Ministry and The Well, all in Longmont, CO. I’m very thankful that my friends will be sleeping indoors, tonight.

http://peoplesadvocacycouncil.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/the-homeless-brief-colorado-coalition-for-the-homeless-from-meg-costello/

I really appreciate the library. For a very long time, it was my only Internet access.

http://fakename2.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/homeless-people-in-the-library/

People in the soft world have no idea what the real world is about. They don’t see the end of their ease and comfort coming. They have the expectation that things will get better. There is a very rude awakening, coming.

http://gocultivate.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/poverty-right-before-our-eyes/

I’m glad you posted this. From working in talk radio, I learned some important principles. They serve me well, in blogging. I never get personal with anyone. I describe current events with historical background. And of course, I expect people who tell me I’m wrong and call me derogatory names. They can call me back in 100 years, and let me know how it worked out.

http://newsandcommentary7.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/commenting-on-blogs/

Nullification is a subject that people need tom know more about. It goes far beyond the state level. It actually begins with lawfully seated jurors.

http://a4cgr.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/11-360/

This is good. Fiat currency can’t compete with real money.

http://a4cgr.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/12-286/

I’ve seen many similar testimonies such as this, over the past few years. They confirm what I always knew. Our Creator knows how to introduce Himself.

http://howtoknowgod.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/khalil/

If you write a blog, the truth will come out about it. It’s unavoidable. If you search the world for people to tell you that you are wrong, as I do, grow a thicker skin. You will get anything and everything in the responses.

http://zharptitsa.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/if-you-want-to-blog-the-truth-do-you-have-to-be-truthful-that-you-blog/

People can only disagree with this expectation if they ignore reality. There are entire nations having going out of business sales. The European debt crisis is only the beginning.

http://newsbankruptcy.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/abi-poll-predicts-increase-in-business-bankruptcy-filings-for-2012/

The corporate takeover of America began in 1860. The States were conquered by the Federal corporation and abolished, replaced with subsidiary corporations. Since that event, the country has been reconstructed into a corporate oligarchy. The corporate structure is now conquering and reconstructing the world.

http://elderblogger.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/privatization-and-other-code-words-and-phrases/

This is the madness that results from living in perpetual debt and war. People don’t know what to think or believe. There are no standards. Sound judgment is impossible without those standards.

http://oceanaris.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/the-lefts-insanity-and-the-fall-of-america/

As has been pointed out many times here, Greece isn’t the only one. Many countries are upside down on Debt-To-GDP ratio The clock is running out on the debt pyramid. The global currency exchange system can’t continue sowing the seeds of it’s own destruction, forever.

http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/now-even-greek-politicians-are-taking-cover?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zerohedge%2Ffeed+%28zero+hedge+-+on+a+long+enough+timeline%2C+the+survival+rate+for+everyone+drops+to+zero%29

The reports that some areas of the park being closed to visitors because they are too dangerous was one indication that I found alarming. At the time, while living within the kill zone, a 350 mile radius around Yellowstone, I was aware that an eruption would leave only about 8 hours to escape before the pyroclastic flow spread and incinerated everything on the surface. I’ve seen articles citing computer models describing surface temps in the 15 to 1900 degree range and surface winds of 300 mph.

http://fourbluehills.com/2012/02/04/concerns-grow-over-volcanic-eruptions-usatoday-com/

With me in one part of the country, and most of my family in another, It’s very difficult to keep in touch on a daily basis. We do the best we can.

http://onelifetimeblog.com/2012/02/04/we-tend-to-forget-about-those-we-care-about-along-the-way/

The public has no idea what Planned Parethood is about. Everyone should watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYNFoB3d0P8&feature=youtu.be

The government will stop putting out fraudulent employment statistics when there isn’t any money to pay to put out the report. We can just talk to people in the street and get better information, for free.

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/i-cant-take-it-anymore-when-will-the-government-quit-putting-out-fraudulent-employment-statistics

Now it comes down to throwing bad money after worse. “Bailout” is now just a figure of speech. Let’s not kid ourselves. Italy and Spain are waiting their turns in the woodshed.It’s haircuts on the installment plan.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/greece-draws-line-unity-government-leaders-refuse-cede-further-troika-austerity-demands?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zerohedge%2Ffeed+%28zero+hedge+-+on+a+long+enough+timeline%2C+the+survival+rate+for+everyone+drops+to+zero%29

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Cab drivers enlisted to combat sex-trafficking at the Super Bowl

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Cab drivers enlisted to combat sex-trafficking at the Super Bowl » Local News » Pharos-Tribune.

Hundreds of Indianapolis cab drivers being trained in how to show Hoosier hospitality for soon-to-arrive Super Bowl fans are also learning how to recognize sex workers brought in for the event.

The cab drivers are part of a larger group of hotel, restaurant and other service workers in Indianapolis being asked to help identify potential victims of the commercial sex-trafficking industry.

Driving the effort is the National Football League championship game that will be played in Indianapolis on Feb. 5, and all the

alcohol- and sex-infused parties and events that transform the game into a week-long spectacle.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has said the Super Bowl is the largest sex-trafficking event in the nation.

In recent weeks, more than 700 cab drivers have taken part in the “Super Service” hospitality training  offered by staff and volunteers with the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee. It includes a session on sex-trafficking and the fast-tracked legislation aimed at cracking down on the crime.

“Whenever there’s a large event like the Super Bowl, we know there’s an increase in sex trafficking,” said Valerie Schmitt, coordinator of a human-trafficking outreach effort in Indianapolis.

“There’s an increased demand for sex and that leads to an increased risk that someone will be victimized.”

On Friday, as a House committee heard testimony on a bill that would ramp up criminal penalties for sex-traffickers in Indiana, Schmitt was meeting with about 100 cab drivers to ask for their help.

She described some of the classic victims of sex-traffickers, including illegal immigrants forced to work off their debts by working as prostitutes or teenagers sexually exploited by adults. She predicted Indianapolis would see an influx of prostitutes, including many who were underage.

“You’re our eyes and our ears, …” she told them. “You meet a lot of people and overhear a lot of conversations that might be helpful in recognizing someone involved in trafficking.”

She asked them to put the human-trafficking hotline phone number of 888-373-7888 into their cell phones and use it if they suspect anything. Some of the cab drivers looked skeptical; while others pulled out their cell phones to program in the number.

Tim Neville, operations manager for Indianapolis Yellow Cab, the city’s largest cab service, said more than 150 of his drivers had been through “Super Service” training that includes the session on sex-trafficking. “I think it’s great,” Neville said. “This is our community; we live here and want to protect it. Our drivers know how to balance a passenger’s expectation of some anonymity with what could be criminal activity.”

Local prosecutors are counting on having a new law to combat the crime. During a House committee hearing Friday, Marion County deputy prosecutor Mary Hutchison spoke in favor of legislation, authored by Republican Sen. Randy Head of Logansport, that would enact harsher penalties for sex traffickers.

The committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the full House for a vote, but that action came after the hearing had been delayed two hours.

The delay was caused by House Democrats who boycotted the session’s morning quorum call to prevent a vote on the Republican-backed “right to work” legislation that would outlaw mandatory union dues for private-sector workers.

The House has been out of session seven days over the last three weeks because of the boycott. House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer said Friday that he expects House Democrats will return to the House floor on Monday.

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