100+ On the Air!

Today I was on "Let's Talk"  hosted by Mark Ellebracht airing on WBGZ 1570AM.  Joining me on the program was Jessica from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.  Mark who went to school with SuperKate heard about the 100+Project and had to know more about it.  He contacted me and asked if I would like to be on the show.  Obviously I said yes.  I have never been on the radio before and was a little nervous, in fact right before Mark threw me the first question my mind was a blank, literally.  As he was asking the question there was nothing in my head, but then when it was my turn to speak I found the words.  I am no great orator by any stretch of the imagination but I think I did okay.  Jessica did really well too answering the questions about the Foundation that I would have answered poorly.
For the 100+Project's first media event I think things went pretty well and I look forward to doing more in the future.  I will add public speaking to the list of things I need to work on right under learning to ride a unicycle.
You can listen to the audio from the show below if you missed it on the radio this morning.


Thanks to Mark for showing an interest in the 100+Project and for having Jessica and I on the show.

Magic Wheel Practice

In my research of different vehicles to use for the 100+Project I happened to come across the Magic Wheel.  It seemed so closely related to skateboarding that I thought it would be easy enough to learn, and I had never seen one before, which made it even more desirable.  The YouTube videos didn't help matters either, one showed a guy talking on a cellphone while eating an ice cream cone, how hard could it be?
Apparently the company that manufactures these went out of business so they are pretty rare.  I found one on ebay for almost $400, way too much money if you ask me.  I put the aside and figured if one came along at a cheaper price I would buy it.  I didn't have to wait very long.  A couple weeks later and there it was again on ebay (different seller) but at a much more affordable price.  I put in a bid and a few days later I was the proud owner of a slightly used Magic Wheel.  The seller has another one for sale if anyone is interested.

Ladies and Gentlemen, without further adieu I present to you "Magic Wheel Practice", a short film from Trail and Error Productions.

Photo Friday

Skate100+: Getting ready to leave from the rest area by 157 on the Schoolhouse Trail, about 35miles in.  I did wear my helmet occasionally.

100+Project: Project Concern

While skating over 100miles I made you all aware of the the St Louis Asthma and Allergy Foundation.  Through my efforts many of you shared personal stories with me and some of you even opened up your wallets and donated to them through the 100+Project.  I can't thank you enough for your donations, and I know the good people at the Foundation thank you as well.

Since you donated I thought you might want to know how your money will be spent.  Below is some information about Project Concern that I have taken directly from the Foundations website.  Project Concern is just one of the ways that the Foundation is making the world a better place for children and young adults who suffer from asthma and allergies in the St Louis metro area.

While skateboarding over 100miles may be an impressive feat, the St Louis Asthma and Allergy foundation has been working hard for 30years.  That is impressive!

PROJECT CONCERN
“Over 27 years of helping children
in the St. Louis community to breathe easier”

WHAT IS PROJECT CONCERN?Project Concern is a comprehensive asthma management program that provides medications, equipment, education and support to uninsured or underinsured children with asthma and allergies from birth through age 22.

WHO DOES PROJECT CONCERN SERVE?

Children and young adults through the age of 22 who:
• Are uninsured or underinsured, with a mid- to low- income as determined by the Federal Poverty Level guidelines.
• Are in the process of applying for MC+ for Kids or Illinois All kids or Kids Care and are waiting for coverage to become effective.
• Are in need of assistance with prescription co-pays.
• Live in or are seeing a doctor in one of the following counties: St. Louis City, St. Louis County, the Missouri counties of Jefferson and St. Charles; and in the Illinois counties of Madison and St. Clair.

HOW DOES PROJECT CONCERN WORK?

If a child is seen by a physician at one of the children’s hospitals or at a neighborhood clinic, a nurse or a social worker can assist with a Project Concern application and mail or fax it to the AAFA office. All applications are reviewed individually and in a quick manner to provide immediate assistance.
Caregivers can contact the Asthma and Allergy Foundation to obtain an application.

WHAT IS COVERED BY PROJECT CONCERN?

Approved asthma and allergy medicines
Nebulizers and attachments
Peak flow meters
Spacers
Allergic bed encasings
Asthma management/educational materials

Now when you combine that with the fact that Asthma is the #1 reason children are hospitalized in St Louis, and that approximately 80% of Asthma prescriptions go unfilled due to the family's inability to afford the medication, you can see why Project Concern and the work of the Foundation is so important (source aafastl.org).

In future post I will highlight other ways the foundation is helping.
Until then stay safe and breathe easy!

Skate 100+ The Final Five!

So Sunday I went out and picked up the final 5miles.  112 was just an arbitrary number, the amount of miles that the route took to completion.  So really within the confines of the 100+Project the 107miles from Saturday was enough.  But since the 112mile distance was hyped up I figured I couldn't orphan them.

A little Skating Video

Not all of my preparation for the Skate 100+ was just flat out pushing the long-board for miles and miles.  I had to have a little spot of fun, didn't I?  There is a nice skate park up in Highland, IL so I dusted off my old board and dropped in to see what if any skills I had left.  The state of my current ability is nowhere near where it was over 5years ago when I thought I left all of this nonsense behind, but I did pretty well I think, considering.