Month: November 2005

Yesterday, I attended Planet Granite’s “Cranberry Crank” climbing competition and the “Dyno for Dollars” benefit. It was wonderful to be part of the community. I didn’t feel strong enough to compete, so I volunteered to sell cookies at the youth team bake sale instead. We broke $100 as the awards ceremony finished up. Climbing competitions bring back great memories. It was fun to see the kids that I used to coach (from Team Twisters)climbing strong these days. They range in age from 11-17 now, and have two more years of experience under their belts. I watched many of them do very impressive moves and it made me happy. The Cranberry Crank was well-organized and fun. Over 70 climbers registered. It attracted some top climbers, such as young pro Scott Cory and up-and-coming Joshua Levin(age 11.) The “Dyno for Dollars” benefit went well, too! Most of the youth team members and a few adults had a try at this exciting contest. Cindy Chiu sponsored five climbers to jump, much to their delight. Brett Ashton impressed the crowd with his double-dyno jump, which ended on a hold at least 20′ from the ground! I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the staff of Planet Granite for putting on a great comp and sponsoring the entertaining benefit. I felt very honored! Stacey, from Belmont

Angeli, thanks for your message! I am glad your little son is doing well these days. I will be the new editor for the TRIO newsletter (Transplant Recipients International Organization)and was wondering if you are familiar with that club. I hope to see you around the gym soon! Felix, nice to hear from you again. I am sure the Colorado folks will not let you forget about climbing. I have heard that the Spot in Boulder is a great gym. It was a good weekend. Eva kept Dave and me well-fed, cooking us dinner on both Saturday and Sunday nights. (We are spoiled.) Distressed about gaining weight, I spent the weekend gathering things to cook with…a Japanese cookbook, a tea kettle, and a baking dish. Monday, I prepared a quick spinach and potato soup. (It was one of those free samples at Trader Joe’s…I liked it so much I immediately bought all the ingredients to make it, which they had conveniently displayed nearby. I’m a real sucker for taste-strategy marketing.) Dave was so happy he had it before and after climbing! Tonight, it will be potstickers, bok choy, and rice. The trick for me and my friends is to actually find time to both eat and climb at night. It takes real discipline and time management. DYNO FOR DOLLARS EVENT This Saturday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. there will be an exciting benefit for my medical fund called “Dyno for Dollars.” It is a jumping contest in which each climber starts with his or her hands on a lower hold, crouches down, and using powerful legs, then leaps for a higher hold to catch it, hanging in mid-air above the ground. Some climbers can jump a full body length! Double dynos can be up to 25′! For more information, click on the “Events” page of this website. In April of 2003, I was in a dyno contest in Phoenix, Arizona. It was a show after the biggest bouldering comp in the world, the PBC. My friend Corrine and I won a raffle to participate along with professional climbers such as Chris Sharma and Lisa Rands. It was exciting because it was set up on a stage in front of crowd of at least 500 people. I was feeling really nervous because dynos are obviously not my forte…being under 5 feet tall, I have to jump to holds most climbers can reach without even stretching. I recruited the help of my friend Abby Watkins…she gave me some good advice, and then I was on my own! I was relieved that the route-setters set up the wall so there were some holds that were reasonable for me. Even so, when it was my turn, I kept missing! Then the announcer, in an effort to be funny, revved up the crowd and asked them to make monkey noises for moral support. I closed my eyes, concentrated on Abby’s advice, listened to the obnoxious noise in the background, and jumped. Voila! It worked. I caught the hold and swung proudly four feet off the ground. Stacey, from Belmont

It looks like I’m making progress in climbing. Thursday I worked my way to the top of two 5.11a’s, almost doing one without resting. It was a good feeling because it’s the best climbing I’ve done since before the transplant. Today, I went to Waterdog Lake with Eva. It is a great wilderness path right in the town of Belmont. The sunset was really gorgeous, bright blue with pink streaks. It was a short uphill hike to the lake. I was glad that it didn’t seem too hard. When we got to the lake, we saw Eva’s neighbor with his dog, a golden lab. The dog was having a grand time playing fetch; he swam out into the lake to get the ball even though it was really cold. I was impressed. Stacey, from Belmont

For anyone interested in the Transplant Games, check the website (type without the spaces) www.kidney.org/news/transgames.cfm I especially recommend the video. It is very touching. One of my close friends (Isa) is in it, doing the race-walking event. Stacey, from Belmont

Happy Halloween, everyone! I hope the kids in the family enjoy the holiday…be careful trick-or-treating! Saturday, I was honored at the kick-a-thon and band benefit at Twisters. The band was called, “Return to Reason” and it was very generous of them to play for my cause! Many thanks to Dustin, the organizer of the day. Sunday, I went to Sacramento with Ana to attend a meeting for the Transplant Games, sponsored by the National Kidney Association. The Transplant Games is a national athletic competition and festival dedicated to raising awareness about the need for organ donors, to celebrate the new lives of recipients, and honor the donor families. I plan on attending the Transplant Games on June 16-21st, in Louisville, Kentucky, with my family and friends, including the European contingent, sister Denise, Jerry, and maybe their kids! The Transplant Games have given me hope and inspiration to get stronger and exercise throughout my illness, and this past year of recovery. This hope and anticipation gives me much happiness. I have heard so much about the Games from Ana and Isa (who attended the 2002 Games.) We had a lot of fun exercising together in preparation for the event in 2002. They came back with glowing reports. I have a long way to go in order to be strong enough for the Games. The schedule will be packed, the travel hours long, and the athletic events will be challenging. I will compete in badminton, and possibly other sports. Unfortunately, badminton and track and field are on the same day. I am now considering table tennis and doubles tennis, if I can find a partner. Stacey, from Belmont