Long Journey Home

I’m still here. I was diagnosed and treated for a disease I do not have. Consequently, that has placed me on a dark and lonely path far from home. Day after day and mile after mile I’m getting closer. With the love of friends and family, I know I’ll make it. I want to thank everyone for their prayers and kind words and support.

Senora, Senora !

This photo was taken in front of a church in Rome. A sweet old lady sat on the steps, selling prayer cards.

Mount Pilatus, Switzterland

Since I don't have any recent photos to share, I thought some from my travel archives might be interesting. Mt.Pilatus has a cogwheel train which is the world's steepest with its 48 % gradient passing through five tunnels.
Once we reached the summit, the view was breathtaking. I felt as though I was looking down from heaven. I had forgotten all about my fear of heights once I climbed into a two seater glass cable car for the trip down the 7,000 foot mountain. It was a thrilling unforgettable trip of a life time!

Snail Pace

Update: Still recovering from Solu medrol treatment. Unfortunately, not as quickly as I had hoped. As with any treatment, there are side effects. I have experienced serveral side effects which seem to be worse than what I was being treated for. I am very anxious to return to work, walk my dog, and take photos. If anyone has first hand experience on this type of treatment, please pass it along.
Thanks to everyone for sending well wishes and positive encouragement.

Living With MS

I am a photographer. It’s not just a job; it’s who I am. The moment I gripped a camera and covered my first assignment, my life changed in a profound and positive way. After searching for the majority of my adult life for a career that was meaningful to me, I knew this was the path that God had intended.

Unfortunately in September of 2008, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

My first thought was: “Oh no, what does this mean, thousands of people have MS and function normally. I will follow my doctor’s orders and start treatment immediately.” Albeit, that wasn't my deep deep feelings: I was scared, mad and angry. Other than the death of my grandparents, I have never been so low.

Then the heat of summer arrived. Now, I love summer; I live for summer. But, the heat literally paralyzed my body with exhaustion to the point where I could not take a step or lift my head. This, I wasn’t prepared for. I’ve never let fatigue or illness get in the way of my job. But this year, the heat stopped me dead in my tracks.

I’ve been told it’s unprofessional to share my illness. However, I am part of the community in which I work and live. I want to reach out to others who may feel alone. Part of the wonderful experience of my job as a photographer is sharing people’s grief and joy. So I am sharing my grief and joy also.
Recently, I had an episode that placed me immobile. From the severe weakness, I literally collapsed.

Upon high recommendation, I am receiving several consecutive days of intravenious steroid treatment. I am being optimisic that this treatment will restore my life to being active again.
If anyone would like to share information that may be helpful, I’m welcoming it. I joined a support group that will resume in the Fall.

I am going to fight this with everything I have.
It may slow me down but it WILL NOT ROB ME OF MY PASSION !
I'll see you on Friday.

Aiming At Fun

Logan Williams,gets doused by Kody Oravetz,and Jade Rea,while playing a game during Crocodile Dock vacation Bible school at First Lutheran Church.

Wild things first baseman Ernie Banks grabs the helmet of Southern Illinois' Jereme Milons instead of the baseball during the game.

Putting The Kick In Kick Ball

Malik Wells, plays kick ball during the LeMoyne Center Camp Challenge.

Canonsburg 4th of July Parade

Members of The Wonders unicycler club, juggle thier way down Pike Street during the Canonsburg fouth of July parade.

Reserve Unit Bound For Iraq

U.S.Army Reserve Pfc. Donald Stark hugs his wife,Angela,before boarding a bus with members of his unit bound for Fort Dix,N.J., from the American Legion Post in Washington. The 619th Transportation Company is preparing to deploy to Iraq.


Pfc. Joel Laliberte with his family.

Summer Fun

Robert Smith, bowls during the Washington Hospital Teen Outreach Summer Program Playground Program. The organization is hosting the program, which runs through July 31. Children may registered by calling 724-222-2311

He Just Keeps Going

Ron Beinlich, owner of Triple B Farms of Monongahela, is tending this year's crop in a new self-service orchard where customers can pick their own apples. Read the complete story in the Observer-Reporter.

MS 150 Bike Ride to Lake Erie

I would like to thank all my family, friends and coworkers who contributed to this cause.

With anticipation and excitement, I waited with hundreds of cyclists for the start of a 2 day journey covering 150 miles. In my mind I was wondering if I could overcome my own personal challenges. It turns out, I'm a much better photographer than a cyclist- MS 150 slideshow

What made this event most extraordinary was the riders. I saw everything from the serious cyclist to the average biker but they all shared a common goal. For some it was more personal, as they wore the names of individuals they were riding for on their shirts. Mile after mile, hill after hill, the riders persevered with such determination to make a difference in the lives of people with MS.

A special thank you to Laurie, Theresa, Lynn !

Photo above is of Mary Lynn Rote from Erie at a rest stop on day one of the ride.

Wild Things vs. Gateway Grizzlies

Wild Things' pitcher, Sean Heimpel, fires away from the mound against the Gateway Grizzlies at CONSOL Energy Park.

Down The Line

Nick Cumer returns a winner down the line while playing a match with a friend on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College.

Old Barn

Vines climb up an old stone barn and into the window at California University.

Busy Bee

A bee gather pollen at the Zieba family garden full of lupine flowers on Allison Ave. Houston.

A Final Word

Trinity softball coach Linda Redish offers a few words of encouragement for Jordan Shrontz after placing a second-place medal on her following the Hillers' loss to Franklin Regional in the WPIAL Class AAA softball Championship game.

Taking A Shot

Ricky Paterini works on his shot at Richardson Park,Bentleyville.

Opening Night Jitters

Washington's Michael Parker is tagged out at the plate by Erie catcher Nick Maragas in the first inning.

Patiently Waiting

John Dickerson of Monessen, sits patiently and waits for a nibble, at Ellworth Sportsmen's Club Cokeburg Dam. May 21, 2009

Trinity High School’s Joe Havrilak can’t watch as the Hillers’ WPIAL Class AAA semifinal game against Chartiers Valley comes to an end Tuesday. Chartiers Valley edged Trinity, 4-2. The Hillers can earn a spot in the state tournament by winning the WPIAL’s third-place game next week.

Ride of Their Lives

Therapeutic horseback riding program aids students with autism.

Chatera Dixon,8, a students at Mon Valley School,a special education center operated by Allegheny Intermediated Unit 3,laughs as she hugs Mae during riding session at Horse 'N Soul Riding Academy in Washington.

Happy Mother's Day

Practice Makers Perfect

Tiarra Carter-Green,shows her little brother,Cameron how to hula hoop at their home on Ewing Street.

'A Bittersweet Day '

This image won honors from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors in organization's 2009 Photo Excellence Awards. Was awarded second place in the Spot News category for daily newspapers of circulation between 30,000 and 75,000.

The photo,was published September 20,2008 of Justin Prettiman of Buffalo Township, a specialist with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, hugging his daughter, Nicole, 3, before his deployment to Iraq.

Cooling Off

Dontre Palmer, 11, cools off by taking a turn on the waterslide at Lincoln Terrace.

Field of Dandelions

Emma Malinak walks her dog, Otis, through a field of dandelions at Mingo Creek County Park in Eighty Four.

Coaches Track Meet

Tara Powell, from Burgettstown High School, won first place in the 100 yard hurdles. Holly Mahoney,left, from Trinty High school, took 3rd place during the Coaches Track Meet at Peters Township High School.

Green Pasture

Fresh air ,blue sky and a green pasture makes great weather for Smokey to horse around at Square Halt Farm on McCarrell Road in Hickory.

Anti-Tax 'Tea Party' Protest

Happy Easter !

The best thing about a holiday is spending time with family. My mother shares a kiss with her granddaughter.

Pinwheels for Prevention

Pinwheels on the lawn of the Washington County Courthouse represent a carefree childhood, according to the county Children and Youth Services agency, which planted a pinwheel "garden" to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign was begun in conjunction with Prevent Child Abuse America.

Cuts inevitable at Citizens Library

Earl Flynn reads a newspaper at Citizens Library.

Vacancy

A bird house in a field along Ridge road in Burgettstown.

Spring at Last

Daffodils spring up along Concord Drive in Washington.

Let it Slide

Triniti Brooks,3,of Houston,enjoys the sliding board at Canonsburg Town Park.

House Fire Kills Ten Dogs

Ten dogs were killed and a woman was injured in a fire at a Donegal Township home, Sunday. An older dachshund, Oscar, suffered burns and smoke inhalation. He was treated at the scene with oxygen administered by firefighters and later taken to a veterinarian.

Barnes- Storming

Washington's Troy Wilson goes up for a shot against three defenders from Beaver Falls during Saturday's 69-51 victory.

Barn Fire

Firefighters working the scene were eleven goats died in a barn fire on Alamae Lakes Road, South Franklin Township. This is the 5th barn fire in Washington County this year.

Sky Ball

Walter Holt plays a game of hoops with friends at Dewey Park.

Relay for Life

Lights illuminate Washington County Courthouse for Purple Light-Up Night, an inaugural American Cancer Society event to honor cancer survivors in connjuction with Relay for Life.

A barbwire fence along Washington Ave. in Chartiers Township.

Deadly Shooting

Debra Brown, the aunt to Troy Saunders, stands next to her nephew's memorial at Cabaret West on West Chestnut street in Washington. She spends a quiet moment in disbelief of what happened. Troy was fatally shot and two others wounded outside Cabaret West bar in the West End.

Red Sky

Red flares light up the night sky at the scene of a fatal accident on Route 519, in Somerset Township.

Melting Meadow

Icy and snow covers a field on a farm along Carlton Drive in Eighty Four.

Celebration, Steeler Nation !

James Harrison addresses the faithful, while holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Hines Ward,front, Carey Davis, left, and Nate Washington interact with the crowd during the Steelers victory parade in Pittsburgh.

Chinese New Year

Grace Romesberg,7,of Berlin, is given a paper hat in the shape of an ox by William Liu of Plum during the Three Rivers Families with Children from China festival. 2009 is the year of the ox.

Big Mac Big Win !

Canon-McMillan's Nick Catalano ,left, wins the 135 pound bout against Elizabeth Forward's Justin Stonebraker during the WPIAL Class AAA Team Tournament.