Inspiring Young Lady

GREAT NEWS!!! Marin is doing better. She walked down the hall at the hospital (with 2 therapist's assistance and a walker). She remains paralyzed on her right side but has some promising signs of recovery. They told her yesterday that she would get to go to a nearby pool for therapy very soon. She is ecstatic to be able to get back in the water. Hopefully this will help her recover. Please take the time to send her well wishes. She needs our encouragement. Before her brain tumor was diagnosed, Marin was well on her way to reaching her Olympic dreams in swimming! She had already broken Amanda Weir's 100 free record. (Amanda just recently placed first at Nationals in the 100 free and was a member of the 2004 Olympic Team.) Marin has not given up on achieving her dreams and really needs us swimmers to encourage her along the way. PLEASE send her a note of encouragement. Here are the links: http://www.MarinMorrison.org www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../9940.asp Swimming World Magazine news about Marin www.ajc.com/.../22swim.html AJC http://www.fastpages.com/marin Support Marin Donation Page

That's really touching. I know swimming plays a very important role in many's lives. It plays an important role in my life and hearing about young Marin's story has left me teary eyed. I am praying that she has a quick recovery and that her paralysis is temporary. She is indeed an inspiration to many. God bless you, Marin Morrison.

Today's post on Marin's site.....PLEASE SIGN HER GUESTBOOK!! She needs our encouragement Journal Sunday, August 28, 2005 8:11 PM CDT Happy Sunday - Schedules on Sunday are a lot toned down here on the 4th floor at Scottish-Rite. Marin did about 3 hours of therapy this morning. We also went to the little church service that they hold here. It was inspiring and they prayed for complete recovery for Marin. Marin continues to show progress with strength in the right leg. The arm hasn't reponded yet. Today we decided to write down one thing everyday that she accomplished that she couldn't do the day before. We are also going to have weekly goals. I've decided that tomorrow I'm going to bring my blender down so that I can make her whey protein shakes after radiation each day. This hospital staff is going to think we are nutty but who cares!! If anyone knows of any food, etc. that might be benificial during radiation and chemo, send it to us on the guestbook. Marin continues to ask when she is going to be able to swim and tears up. This is when we decided to set our daily goals towards getting back in the pool. Your words of encouragement mean more to us than you could ever, ever imagine. Please keep them coming and we are focused on getting to know as many of you as possible when all Marin's treatments are done. Now we are focused on healing and recovering. Here's to moving full speed ahead!! Marin and Nancy Links: http://www.MarinLove.com (for now, redirects to CaringBridge.org site.) http://www.MarinMorrison.org www.choa.org/default.aspx Directions to Scottish Rite http://www.fastpages.com/marin Support Marin Donation Page www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../9940.asp Swimming World Magazine news about Marin www.ajc.com/.../22swim.html AJC article

I just read this post after receiving some bad health news about my cousin. This young woman's story gave me a much needed lift. Good luck to her for a speedy and full recovery and pray for her family to continue to find strength to support her. Take care.

I had to share an awesome update on Marin!!!! She is swimming and COMPETING again. She can only swim with one arm but that doesn't stop her. She just recently swam in her High School State Meet in the para-athlete division and did great! She was the only girl competing and still placed 3rd and 5th out of 7 despite a round of chemo the week leading into the meet!!! There is a video of her competing at a hs dual meets on You tube. I can't get the link to work but if you go to www.youtube.com then type in "Super Marin! Juanita vs. Eastlake - September 29, 2006" in the search you will find it. She is a very courageous young lady! She was definitely on the road to the Olympics before this awful brain tumor. Despite swimming with one arm in the video, you can get a glimpse of her beautiful backstroke form. Please take time and post a message of encouragement on her website. www.marinlove.com has a link on it to her caringbridge website. Here is another great story that was written about her. swimming.about.com/.../henderson_marin.htm In case you haven't been following Marin, she is a very courageous young lady! Let's show her the supportive spirit of Masters Swimming!

BUMP......just wanted to make sure everyone saw this.

This is what I call inspirational! Go to this site and read the article on my hero. Marin Morrisson. www.komotv.com/news/4616302.html If she inspires you, please sign her guestbook and show her that us Masters are behind her!

Watch the video and I guarantee you will be inspired. Just click on the link on the article and grab a box of Kleenex. You'll see why I love her so much!

This is off of Marin's website. GOOD NEWS!!!!:applaud: Please write her a short note of encouragement! Wednesday, November 22, 2006 10:01 AM CST Tuesday's appointment with a neurologist at Children' Hospital went well as we were able to begin getting an idea of how to look forward from here. It's strange that this was our first meeting with an actual neurologist since we moved to Seattle. We had seen other in the neurology department, but they were nurse practitioners and we had to keep pounding on the door to see an actual specialist. Our concern has been Marin's medications; what's still necessary and what changes might be needed as we go forward. Essentially, the doctor confirmed that her two primary medications to prevent seizures were still necessary and the supplements she's taking seem to be in good balance. One concern is how the long-term use of some of these seizure drugs could affect her liver, so we'll be monitoring that. After the appointment (rather early in the AM) Marin enjoyed a good long nap (something we all need now and again!). She worked with therapists in the afternoon and with her teacher Ashley in the evening. And then Marin even learned something from Michael, the little man that Mom refers to as 'a jumping bean' decedided he needed to teach his big sis how to jump in the air. And to our amazement, Marin bent herself at the knees, with her brace on her right ankle and foot and launched herself up off the ground to the delight of us all! She got pretty good air, too. The giant smile on her face told us she was just as thrilled as we were. It's amazing how a such a little act can be so satisfying. It really was impressive and an indication that at least she has good strength in the muscles that are working in her right leg. Looking for little leaps everyday, Marin & Nancy, Matt, Camlyn & Spidey In case you haven't seen the KOMO news story (it's really good), check it out on the web at: www.komotv.com/.../4616302.html I've been following her story somewhat. What an awesome kid! Good to hear she is making progress!

This is off of Marin's website. GOOD NEWS!!!!:applaud: Please write her a short note of encouragement! Wednesday, November 22, 2006 10:01 AM CST Tuesday's appointment with a neurologist at Children' Hospital went well as we were able to begin getting an idea of how to look forward from here. It's strange that this was our first meeting with an actual neurologist since we moved to Seattle. We had seen other in the neurology department, but they were nurse practitioners and we had to keep pounding on the door to see an actual specialist. Our concern has been Marin's medications; what's still necessary and what changes might be needed as we go forward. Essentially, the doctor confirmed that her two primary medications to prevent seizures were still necessary and the supplements she's taking seem to be in good balance. One concern is how the long-term use of some of these seizure drugs could affect her liver, so we'll be monitoring that. After the appointment (rather early in the AM) Marin enjoyed a good long nap (something we all need now and again!). She worked with therapists in the afternoon and with her teacher Ashley in the evening. And then Marin even learned something from Michael, the little man that Mom refers to as 'a jumping bean' decedided he needed to teach his big sis how to jump in the air. And to our amazement, Marin bent herself at the knees, with her brace on her right ankle and foot and launched herself up off the ground to the delight of us all! She got pretty good air, too. The giant smile on her face told us she was just as thrilled as we were. It's amazing how a such a little act can be so satisfying. It really was impressive and an indication that at least she has good strength in the muscles that are working in her right leg. Looking for little leaps everyday, Marin & Nancy, Matt, Camlyn & Spidey In case you haven't seen the KOMO news story (it's really good), check it out on the web at: www.komotv.com/.../4616302.html