My Chronic Life, Business Champion Award Nominations & Living Life in Public

In today's blog...
Chronic Illness Health Blog Spotlights Duane Burnett, Small Business Champion Nomination, and Putting your life story out there?

U.S. HEALTH BLOG SPOTLIGHTS DUANE BURNETT
Many thanks to Connie Roberts who wrote a story about my issues with chronic illness and all I do to help the community.

Connie's popular website "My Chronic Life: A Health Blog By Someone Who Knows" spotlights the issues I have with getting out of bed each day and keep on keeping on despite chronic fatigue, pain and depression.

She really turned my gritty life into a nicer more empowering story and also gave a shout out to her online fans on facebook, twitter and her website to visit the Sunshine Coast, BC.

Connie grew up in the Bronx and now lives in Florida. Her popular blog is a way for her to help others. She says "In 2003 I was diagnosed with a major chronic illness that has changed my life. Now I can say it’s for the better. At first I was miserable, but not any more. I still have my bad days but I hope to help others from what I’ve learned."

She calls herself the Autoimmune Queen saying "My chronic illnesses are: Ulcerative Colitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Anemia, Mitral Valve Prolapse and Rhuematoid Arthritis. Most are autoimmune diseases that run in my family. I’m known as the Autoimmune Queen."

What an inspiration she is. I am so blessed that my online friend from Egmont, "Heather in Beautiful BC" put us in touch with each other. The two of them seem to be mad crazy facebooker and twitter fiends like myself, and social networking has brought us together from all corners of the Earth. You can find us all on facebook or twitter!

http://www.twitter.com/duaneburnett

http://twitter.com/ConnieFoggles

http://twitter.com/heatherinbc


SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION NOMINATION
I was just nominated for a BC Small Business CHAMPION of the Year Award for all the work I do on the Sunshine Coast! WOW thank you so much! This is a HUGE honour!!! The award goes to a small business that has demonstrated a commitment to promoting small business in their community and/or B.C., including volunteering time and services to small business interests and groups, and advocating the cause of small business!

Several people have nominated me, and if you would like to as well, it only takes about one minute to do so... here is the link http://www.successfulyou.ca/nomination-form Submissions Deadline: 12noon, March 31, 2010.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT WINNER
This is a province wide award for British Columbia different from the "Community Spirit" Award I received from the Sunshine Coast Business Awards of Distinction last year in 2009. I also have received an award of recognition from the Town of Gibsons "The World's Most Liveable Town" 2009 and just recently an award of recognition from the District of Sechelt and the "Faces of Sechelt." I try to remember and remind myself that I am grateful for the awards and recognition, but more then any award, it is most important to be an instrument of love, peace, kindness, generosity and forgiveness and to be steadfast in being these and not rocked back and forth like a roller coaster by awards and praise on one hand, then criticism and dislike on the other. Growing up bullied kinda made me a huge people please'er so I am glad I am understanding this more and more.



PUTTING IT OUT THERE? Living Life in Public
I was kinda wondering whether it was a good thing to blog about my health and life issues online, it turned up my anxiety a little higher to say the least. What I have found though, is amazing and empowering itself. It is bringing me together with other people struggling with similar issues, helping me to learn and understand more, and giving hope I think for others who often may feel as isolated and alone as I do. I find that I am liking the idea that I am helping people and they in turn help me. Curious to know what others feel about this?


LOOSING A PET
I know that my dog Tundra passing away has really brought a lot of people together as almost every day someone shares their stories, sometimes tears, and their praise for Tundra's Accessible Dog & People Friendly Drinking Fountain Fund As I mentioned in my last blog, the fund received a $500 donation from volunteers who work at the Gibsons Wildlife Rehab centre.

It's Always a Good Day on the Sunshine Coast! Thanks so much for reading my blog, and being facebook friends, following my twitter tweets, and all the LOVE! Back at ya!!! HUGS Duane

http://www.duaneburnett.blogspot.com

Photos Copyright (C) Duane Burnett. All Rights Reserved.
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