Mito Carrier Update

I have been negligent in announcing some very exciting results! You might remember from a few posts ago, that the cause of Will’s mito disorder comes from a genetic mutation that is only passed down through the mother’s egg. (it’s different for other types of mito, this statement is relevant only to Will).

So, my grandmother, my mom’s mom, was tested to see if she too is a carrier of the Mito mutation. If she was, then my mom’s three sisters and one brother and all their children and grandchildren would be at risk for having the same mutation. I think that would have been nearly 20 people.

My grandmother tested negative for the mutation! Yeah! So you might wonder how this even happened to us? Apparently, when the egg and sperm meet up they both bring some sort of “gene mutation cleaner” with them. There is some organism that is supposed to clean up any of the abnormalities while the baby is the womb. There’s a very rare chance that those things don’t work, and then an even more rare chance that the mutation is passed along. So here we are, a rare species over here. I’m sure there are more scientific ways to explain this, but I’d have to do a lot of googling.

In other news, another round of thank you’s to those who are signed up for the Energy For Life walk. I can’t believe it’s on Saturday! The weather is supposed to be perfect.

Joey & Elizabeth Borski

Monica Danna

Cara Durnin

Debbie & Roy Henderson

Kim Humrichouse

Manith Kong

Debra & Greg Kaul

Colton & Camryn Klingensmith

Graham, Amie & Taylor Mitchell

Dianne & Danny McCormick

Cari Morgan

Diana Morris

Scott Mosley

Stacey Murchison

Nancy Pike

Waco Rainey

Erin Saladino

Mark Stevens

Alexis Thorne

Andrew Yang

Carrie, Cody, Brennar, Brody & Breyton Zobac

If you haven't signed up yet, there's still time. And don't forget, we're going to Berryhill in the Heights on 11th street if you'd rather just meet up there.

Neil and I went to New Orleans this past weekend for what was possibly the most fun wedding ever. Will stayed with my parents and they all went to IHOP after church and got balloon hats (above). Carson and Will had a blast and Will came home pooped and ready for bed.

Energy For Life walk update

Team "Where There's a Will..." a few updates for our teams festivities!

Team t-shirts have been vetoed off my island, too hard this year. So, whatever the mood / weather strikes you on Feb. 4 - go for it! Get crazy if you want, make a shirt, wear a fun hat, feather boa or whatever suits your fancy. You also can purchase Energy For Life walk t-shirts on the website.

We are going to do green bandannas so everyone will be able to identify the group. Additionally, Will's school is making a banner and doing all the kids hand prints! THANK YOU!! If the mood strikes you to do a banner or sign, go for it!

My mom happens to know the owner of the Berryhill in the Heights on 11th street, so we're organizing some post-walk gathering at the Berryhill. So please join us for that if you can. More details coming, courtesy of the work of the wonderful Elyssa Horvath! I'm hoping it will be a time to visit and celebrate life!

I might pay you some money if you show up looking like these guys...