My mom, Kathy

It’s hard for me to think of one specific story to share about my mom, but what I do know is how lucky I am to have Kathy Tom as a mother. She has been my greatest supporter, confidant and advisor for the past 24 years. I am truly grateful for the way she has shaped me into the person I am today. My mom has taught me to be open and empathetic. She has given me the skills to create deep and lasting relationships with those around me. In addition to being one of the most caring women I know, she is also the strongest. She faces every adversity with such strength and optimism, I can’t help but be inspired to live my life in a similar fashion. It is because of this strength and optimism that I know my mom will be able to come out on the other side of this stronger than ever. I am truly lucky to know her not only as a mother, but as a friend.

EVENT ART WORK

"Dancing Couple" by Caroline Jones. (12x18) Value: $200

"Sweet Dreams" by Caroline Jones. (14 1/2 inches x 17 1/2) Value: $250

"At the time it all seemed quite natural" by Tina Tom, beneficiary daughter. 11x20. (value: $200)

"Infinity" (22x28) by Christine Campbell of Feng Shui Paintings (Gallery Value $500)

"Goddess Sign" (36x48) by Christine Campbell of Feng Shui Paintings (Gallery value $1200)

"Final Landing", signed photographic print on matte paper, 11x14, comes in lightweight gold frame

Michelle Marie Minges

"Rockin' Rooster" an orginal art piece done by an unknown painter. Value: 200$

By Suzi Sherwin a Silk Artist and Educator

Better, Better, Better

I’m getting better all the time! From bedridden to wheelchair to walker to crutches to cane. And now I can walk without assistance! Well, more of a waddle really. And I still need the walker occasionally.

I’m one of the lucky ones. The one in three who get better after being paralyzed with transverse myelitis. Many remain paraplegic or quadriplegic. Most spend their lives in wheelchairs. I thank all my friends and family for their prayers. And I thank my Higher Power for blessing me. I thank my lucky stars, too.

I’m getting stronger thanks to physical therapy and Project Walk (projectwalk.org). I work hard exercising and stretching every day (almost). I push myself to extend my limits. I plan to keep getting better until I’m the best I can be!

Kathy Tom

Who am I? I’m a wife, a mother, a daughter, an aunt. But that’s just who I am in relation to others. I know that, before this happened, I was happy. I was enjoying my life as a library media technician at Jefferson Elementary School in Carlsbad, California. Preparing for a Kindergarten class visit one day, I was suddenly struck down with a piercing pain in my back. I lay down for half an hour. When I tried to get up, I couldn’t stand. About 24 hours later, I was paralyzed from the waist down. Who am I now? A cripple, a handicapped driver, a disabled worker, a differently-abled citizen. Many little things that I used to take for granted, like standing and walking, are now an exhausting effort. Even though the odds have been against me, I have never doubted that I will recover. And I’m getting better and better due in large part to acupuncture, physical therapy, and Project Walk. I hope and pray that I’ll be able to continue these services until I’m back to normal. Maybe someday I’ll be able to read a book to a Kindergarten class while standing still and pain-free.

The event is heating up. Check out below all the cool stuff happening in only a month!!!
THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY SHAKTI RISING

Vendors at the event:

Mana Creative Photography and Design
Shakti Rising
Project Walk
Live Life-The Art of Well Being
Girl Fest
Empanadas
The Green Door Catering
My Kitchen (cookies, pastries, and shaved ice!)
QNC Beignets (lumpia, beignets, funnel cake, and more

AND MORE TO COME SOON!

6 massage therapists are on board including Barb Miller Massage Therapy, Saylor Salon, and Body Mind Harmony. ($1/minute)

Dr. Kametz from Encinitas Chiropractic will be giving $10 adjustments

SCHEDULE
$5 Workshops
45 minute YOGA workshops

11:30 am Keeping your cool in the sweltering heat with Sorrel Weiss

1:00 pm: Light & Breezy Vinyasa with Breyn Hibbs
 2:35: Awareness Through Movement with Roland Mathews 
30 minute DANCE workshops
12:20 pm: Persian Dance with Behin Behrozi from Transcendence

2:00 pm: Hip Hop with Eveoke Dance Theater

Words from a friend

Jean wrote me an email today that said:

"I regret not having any "stories" to share other than affirming what a sweet sister she is.  I love that she said "yes" when I invited her to a Circle at my house back in the day and was so surprised that she considered herself a healer and learned that her favorite Goddess was Brigid. And of course, she said "yes" to visiting a Friday Night Dinner at Shakti when I first got involved and the rest is her story."

The rest is not just her story, it is my story too. And it seems fitting that I should share what it is that Kathy has indeed done for me and why I am so called to raise money for HER now. When Jean took Kathy to this Friday Night Salon at Shakti Rising it saved my life. Kathy found out I had been hospitalized for self-mutilation. We had planned to attend a conference on Sjogren's, a disease I was diagnosed with at age 20. She had tried to reach out to my many times, but the darkness that enveloped me was too great to see the beacon of light that she was. Indeed Kathy is a healer. She then took it upon herself to send me every page of the Shakti website as I did not have internet access. I was at the end of the rope and being asked to leave my current housing situation in Georgia. It was time to take a risk, I took a risk on Shakti.

When I decided I would try Shakti out she offered up her house to me. It was such a blessing that I cannot describe because the stubborn person that I am, I would not have gone if she hadn't offered up her home to me. Thus I began to know this remarkable woman who helped me see the light once again. As I got involved in Shakti we shared stories of adversity, abuse, and healing. She soon was offering to do all kinds of different rituals including Kwanza and mind you she is white as milk. I love her for her diversity in every culture, every type of book, her love for children, and most of all for seeing that I was still worth living. Kathy and her husband Ray truly have become part of my heart.

This is my love offering to you.

Get Involved

Get Involved these are the organizations donating to the event thus far:

Eveoke Dance Theater
Transcendence
Shakti Rising
Mana Creative
Four Seasons Yoga

The raffle includes some awesome prizes including:
Massage package
Acupuncture package
Life Coaching package
A few Art Pieces by some amazing artists
Sea World Tickets
Gift card for Barbara Callow Calligraphy

You know you want to go!

The Event

My Aunt Kathy is suffering from Transverse Myelitis and was given a one in three chance of walking again. The insurance company has stopped paying for her physical therapy. Kathy has been a school librarian at Jefferson Elementary School and I’ve known her as woman who acts from love. She has changed countless children’s lives as well as my own. She is not only a fighter, but a remarkable giver. She selflessly gives of her time to others, and wants to help change the world. Let’s help her walk again.

All proceeds will go to pay for her physical therapy and medical bills to aid in her recovery. I am not asking for hand outs rather for you to join me in celebrating health, life, and family. There will be Health Fair Benefit held in San Diego on June 16th, 2012. Contact me for more details on how you can get involved.

Details:
When: June 16th from 11-5pm
Where: Pepper Grove in Balboa Park
Cost: 15$ suggested donation

Ways to get involved: 
1. Educate about your small business by tabling at a health fair benefit for Kathy on June 16, 2012. 2. Donate an item to the raffle for the event. 
3. Come to the event on June 16th! 
4. Donate here to her physical therapy fund.
5. Pass on the word