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The Bulletin -- June 16, 2010 (#1044)
Program: Dr. Robert Heins, Ironman for ALS Awareness Blaze, a special ed teacher in California, decided he would try to finish an Ironman -- the toughest one in the world -- in Hawaii, with very little training to raise awareness for ALS. Heins showed a video about Blaze and his journey. The video begins with the start of an Ironman Hawaii where some 1,800 compete. John was number 179 in this race. And while everything looks good for him in the race, it wasn’t. This cruel disease had already rendered his hands almost useless. John says ” It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living...I want to know what you ache for. It doesn’t interest me how old you are, I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still shout at the edges of a lake, river or mountain. “Yes I am a warrior poet. It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have, I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done for someone you love. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and truly like the company you keep. In the empty moment of your life, still remember me, your friend Blazeman ALS Warrior Poet.” John had lived a very full 34 years and had accomplished things that most people have never done in a lifetime. He described that a Blazeman is an underdog that had to overcome obstacles and was still doing it. In the video, his parents described their pain when he was diagnosed and how they told him to come home to live! His dad described him when he was little and how he made him tie his shoes by himself. Then on day one of his training, his father had to tie John’s shoes for him. John’s father always knew that one day John would do an Ironman and it would probably be in Hawaii as John always had an interest in Ironman and started watching this event back in high school. Many of the greatest warriors have overcome obstacles; they make you a better individual. John said that his body is not going to tell him to stop, his body will just stop. He will push through all the barriers to get through this course. At the 2005 World Ironman Triathlon, John wore special devices on his hands to help with the swimming. With 17 miles left in his biking, John had to get off the bike to walk and stretch as the result of ALS. The pain could be in your back, your throat, your legs, it is everywhere. He says the average person lives 2 to 5 years and after one year of diagnose you go downhill real quick. On the run portion of the race, John's parents waited at mile 25 to encourage. at the end of the Ironman, John approached the finish line and rolled across it. He had finished the Ironman Hawaii competition. “Live more than your neighbors, unleash yourself upon the world and go places," said Blaze. "Go now, giggle, know, laugh and bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are. "Understand that this is not a dress rehearsal, this is it, your life...face your fears and live your dreams, take it all in, yes, every chance you get. Come close and by all means, whatever you do, get it on film.” Heins said that John went to the 2006 Ironman in a wheelchair, and he died in May 2007. Heins said there is a group of about 75 tri-athletes around the world that raise money and awareness for ALS. The Blazemen Foundation has raised over $500,000, and most of it has gone to Northwestern Medical School where physicians are the disease. So there is some hope down the road. He said there are 11 active ALS cases in Clinton and Essex counties. Heins has rolled across the finish line, and he plans to do it 3 or 4 times this year. Bob is also looking for donations. Heins recognized Linda Shepard for getting him into the Ironman competitions which she also does. He also recognized Tony Searing, a fellow Ironman competitor, stating that while they are both pretty slow in the swim, Tony is a bit faster than he is on the bike and the run. Visiting Rotarians: Michael Luck (Burlington), Kevin Kehoe (Sunrise), Tim Manning (Gray, NC) Guests: Tom Corigliano (Keith Tyo), Steve Bailey (Steve Frederick), Kristi Spooner (Sandy Walker), Norm Ptisel (Dave Kimmel), Keri Mack (Faith Long), Linda Shepard (Tony Searing), Ashlea Keene (Kathleen Garenani) This Week:
Bonnie’s Bucks:
Fines: Lee Salzman finally got to spin the wheel for her picture in the paper. She had to pay $1. 50/50: The Jackpot today is $1887 with 32 cards left. Dave Napolitan pulled the Jack of Clubs worth $10.
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