Friday, December 11, 2009

Video of Vicki Nicholls (Hall) on Fox 2 News (Detroit, MI)

As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 18 months old. I let this disease control me after I was forced to go on permanent disability at age 30. For the first 3 years I was suffered from severe depression and had several mental breakdowns. I began to self-medicate. Then in 2007 a miracle happened. I got sober. I say a miracle because I was trying to drink the pain away. Obviously, this did not work. My Alcoholism (recognized as a disease by the AMA since 1950) became severe in 2006 until I entered recovery. Since then I decided to devote most of my time volunteering for the Arthritis Foundation as a patient advocate and an Ambassador to the Arthritis Foundation (for the 10th Congressional District). I have a different view of life now (after several near death experiences). I am grateful for everything I have. I am also committed to finding a cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis in my lifetime!

2009 has been an unbelievable year of blessings. It all started in May with Matt December of the local Source Newspaper requesting to do a story on me and my fight for a cure for Arthritis. Then, in July, I was invited to a private meeting (with 8 other community volunteers) with President Obama. It didn't stop there. In August, I was asked to write my first story for the Juvenile Arthritis Newsletter. This was my first time being published! Then, last week I did a local Fox 2 Detroit news story for Deena Centofani's HealthWorks series. They are sponsoring this year's Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run/Walk. So I guess you could say 2009 was a great year for the advocacy work I do. I am so grateful for all these blessings. I thank God everyday for these opportunities that have been offered to me. I wanted to share the local news story with everyone so I have a link below to view it. It's less than 2 minutes.

I also wanted to ask that if you are financially able to give a small donation to Team Vicbo in my first Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run/Walk this Saturday at the Covington School in Bloomfield Hills I would greatly appreciate it. The Arthritis Foundation is one of the largest non-profits in the country and is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible. If not (which I completely understand with this horrible economy), can you forward this e-mail to 10 people? There will be lots of prizes for best holiday themed costume and age group prizes for the best times. This is an extremely kid friendly event since 300,000 children in the USA have Juvenile Arthritis. 10,300 children in Michigan alone. Proceeds from this event fund the Annual Camp Dakota in Lapeer, Michigan where children with Arthritis make lifelong friendships, and learn activities they normally cannot participate in. I am going to volunteer for next year's camp.

link to donate or join Team Vicbo

link to Fox 2 News Story:



Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,


Vicki Nicholls

vicbonicholls@gmail.com


Twitter: @teamvicbo

Facebook: Vicki Nicholls