Ex-Meningitis Patient Is Pro-Vaccine

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There's a new law in Texas that says all college students must get a meningitis vaccine before heading off to school in the fall. Jamie Schanbaum knows exacly how important that is -- she nearly lost her life to the bacterial form of the disease. She stopped by Good Day to tell her story this morning. Read more on myFOXdfw.com: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/good_day/080311-Ex-Meningitis-Patient-Is-Pro-Vaccine#ixzz1VCQYqc8d

MY BIKE!!

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hello viewers!! I thought I should tell everyone about my wonderful month of October(and now November), and how significant it was to me! As most people know, I started training for my bike in June, where I met Sean Ahmadi, my trainer. Him and I met atleast twice a week, where we focused on strengthening my legs by starting off on a stationed bike for 5-10 minutes, then go to the floor to stretch out my legs, work on my stomach, then up nd using the lat pull downs, and more biking. But never on my actual bike, on the road until Sean thought I was ready. And I agreed. But as the months kept going, I wanted to get on the road with my bike even more. Then my wish came true, right before my birthday.

My birthday is October forth, and it was a monday this year, but the weekend before Sean and I went on our first ride. Sean and I were both nervous; But, I think Sean was more nervous. We were worried about how to push off and stop, or how to brake, etc. But we started off with him holding my bike as I got on, and then he would do the whole "dad thing," by holding the bike as we started going and he let me go when I was ready. It was cute. haha. But we pushed off, and Sean got his bike to catch up with me. Man, what a great moment that was. After all this time, it was so amazing to feel the wind on my face, blowing by my ears, and it was great to be one with the moving scene. To write what I felt at that moment, is hard to describe. Sean even pulled out his iphone to record me, and in it, I was just smiling. Couldn't even talk. He asked how it felt, and I just smiled, opened my mouth but couldn't say anything. and just laughed. What a great moment. Then how we stop, sean goes a head of me to get off his bike, and as I would slow down, Sean would grab the bike to stop me. He is great. I cant believe how wonderfully well this has all gone for me. I cant believe I've gotten to this point. One year ago, I was barley walking on my own yet. And if someone told me that this is what I was going a year from then, Im not sure if I would of believed them. so, yeah! yahoo! I'm proud of myself! yippie! So on my second ride, we worked on braking, which made me nervous. Then we worked on shifting gears, on my third visit. And by this point I'm riding 4 miles per ride. I impressed myself. By the 4th ride, I was riding about 8 miles at the veloway. This entire time was at the veloway, and for those who are unfamiliar, its a place for cyclists, and roller blade/skaters to go and do a few laps. The entire course is three miles long and no runners or dogs are allowed. It's really interesting. Then possibly my 5th ride I went on South mo pac, where cars are going 60-70 mph and I rode with Sean, riding about 8 miles. Then by my 6th ride I rode 10 miles at the livestrong challenge on October 24. I couldnt believe it. There I rode with 3,000 other cyclists. I couldnt believe it. There I was not only accompanied by Sean, but also Aaron Foreman, Greg Lakompski*, Carlos Garcia, and my cousin Zeke Silva. We called Zeke to see if he would like to ride, and he accepted and rode the 10 miles with me. Aaron rode 65 miles, Greg and Carlos rode the 90 miler. UNBELIEVABLE. If you are unfamiliar with these people, check out my earlier post. Carlos, an above the knee amputee, just started riding a year ago only riding 10 miles, and now did 90 miles. holy poop. I think I can do that. Atleast at some point.

Anyways, this all happened in October. My first ride was the first weekend, and then three weeks later I was at livestrong riding 10 miles. What an accomplishment. I cant wait to see what happens next year. Thanks to those who keep reading, sorry I haven't been active on blogging. But I've been so busy with school. It's been the hardest yet. 4 more weeks til school is over, and I cant wait. Until next time. stay posted..

My new chapter in my life

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Hey everyone(if there are ppl still reading, since its been so long), I just wanted to update you guys on what's been going on with my life. Its the summer time, and the sun couldn't shine any harder in Texas, for it seems to be a pretty sweaty one. During this time I am enrolled for a summer course at ACC taking biology. I'm half way done and its been really exciting, actually not really. Other than that, I wanted to discuss with you guys my new chapter in my life, cycling. Before I got sick, my Bike and I were really close. We would biked 10 blocks to school everyday(never once took the bus or my car), go to my friends in west campus, go to HEB, go to epoch coffee to study, and any other place our peddles would take us. But once I got sick, and went through the whole realization that I would have my legs amputated, my hope to ever ride again, was gone. But since then, I have met pretty incredible people that have motivated me and inspired me to get back up on that bike, and told me that it was possible to ride again. My first bike enthusiast was Bob Whitford, aka 1 armed Bob. I met him as my occupational therapist in out patient rehab. He is a para olympian in cycling, and is a very handy man. The next enthusiast was my prostitist(leg conformist), Aaron Foreman, he is a completely abled body but rides road bikes all over austin and does marathons all over the country and more! Aaron has just finished up my swim legs, but his next big project are my cycling legs which I am is so excited to have. Enthusiast #3 is Carlos Garcia. Carlos had cancer in his leg, and faced an above knee leg amputation a few years ago. Carlos is only older than me by a few years, and just graduated from St. ed's in kinesiology and is going to prosthetic school to eventually join Aaron and his prosthetic company. It was really exciting to meet Carlos, because not only is he very similar in age and that we both faced amputations, but he is also riding his bike again. Carlos is also apart of the livestrong team, and rides for them a lot. Okay, there are 3 more people to introduce! #4 is Chris Carter. Carter is from the bike sports shop off S Lamar, and is willing to donate a bike to me!!! maybe not fully, but still, I will be getting a great discount. I just met Carter a few weeks ago, but I can tell that its only the beginning. He plans to help me and making my bike 100% Jamie adaptable, for we are looking at different brakes, and shifters, and peddles that are accessible for me to use. Did I mention my bike is red? It's beautiful. I haven't brought it home with me yet, but I cant wait. Person #5 is Greg Lanier. Greg is a patient of Aaron's as well, for he has been a below the knee amputee for many years but rides his bike all the time. Aaron, Greg, and Carlos all ride together from time to time, and I cant wait to join them for future rides. Okay the last person is Sean Ahmadi, and he is my trainer. Sean is going to help me strengthen my core and legs for my future in cycling. I have only worked out with him once, but I hope to keep training for a long time. Okay, you have now met my six people Bob, Aaron, Carlos, Greg, Carter, and Sean. Seems like an awesome beyond awesome team that I got behind me. I cant wait for my future to unfold. I know in October there is a livestrong challenge, and I think that that will be my goal. I heard you can do any amount of miles you want, which sounds good to me. Okay thats about it, when it comes to updating on my new chapter in my life. Other than that, stay tuned.