Tomorrow is the very last day of 2008, it’s very hard to believe how fast this year went by! 2008 has been a wonderful year for me; in April I became your new Michigan HOSA Post- Secondary Vice President,in May my sister graduated from High School and  in July I got a job at local hospital (working only two days a week) and I love it, I’ve also been busy with my college class.  In September, my cousin got killed a week before my Golden Birthday I turned twenty years old!

2008 has been a year that I will never forget I hope you guys don’t either!

It’s time to ring in 2009!!!

For years now people have been asking me are you twelve? You would think I would be use to it by now but I’m not. What’s worse is during the Christmas Season people don’t ask me “are you twelve or how old are you?”  What they say is “did you write Santa a Christmas list?” “What did you get from Santa Clause?”

Yesterday my Mom, Sister, my Grandparents and I went out to eat for lunch. When we finished we got up to leave, while I’m putting my jacket on this women looks at me and says “did you send your letter to Santa?” I smiled at her and didn’t say anything,  I was too embarrassed.  There is nothing I can do with the way I look, I just wish and hope more people will start to ask me for my age rather them assuming that I’m younger!!

Are you in the same boat I am?

On Saturday mornings, I would watch cartoons. I remember one morning seeing a commercial depicting ten sad-looking children with various handicaps. There it was–a young girl just like me–missing a hand! The announcer urged viewers to help the handicapped through monetary donations. Later that day I asked my mother, “Am I handicapped?”

She looked at me and said, “Only if you want to be.”

This quote is from a book by Donna Carol Maheady called“Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses Working with disAbilities.”  In this book nurses share their personal stories of courage  and determination as they overcame their own “disAbilities.” I think this book is inspirational for anyone in the health care profession. It is especially inspirational to me because I have my own disability to overcome.

As you all know, I have Cerebral Palsy. When I was growing up I saw my future as very limited. I thought the only career I would ever be capable of  was to work behind a cash register. Then in my junior year of  high school I joined the nurses aide program. This is when I was introduced to HOSA! Being in HOSA showed me that I could do anything I set my mind to!

We all have challenges to overcome. Don’t let you or anyone else limit your possibilities. You can do whatever your heart desires! So have at it!!

 I hope everyone had a awesome Thanksgiving, ate lots and lots of turkey! We had our Thanksgiving at our house this year with my Grandma, my sister, my brother and my brother’s girlfriend! My mom and dad cooked a turkey, vegetables, potatoes, jello and of course desert! I have to be honest it wasn’t the food that made Thanksgiving special it was the people that you were with! There is no better meal than a Thanksgiving meal with your family, I think that’s what we all should be thankful for! That we have eachother!!

What did you do on Thanksgiving?

I recieved a package from my Uncle Andy last Thursday.  To my surprise it was a Detroit Red Wings T-Shirt with the name Hossa (pronounced HOSA) on the back. Marian Hossa that is, who plays for the Red Wings this year. My Uncle thought I might like to add another HOSA shirt to my collection. At least now when I wear this shirt I won’t have to explain what HOSA is! GO Michigan HOSSA!

It’s hard to believe its November. I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. This year I went to a party at Lauren’s house. We dressed up as Hoops & Yoyo. Lauren was Hoops and I was Yoyo. If you don’t know who they are check out their website. (hoopsandyoyo.com)

Lauren had awesome games for the kids and a spooky puppet show! It was a fantastic Halloween!

 Ealier this month I went to Region 1  and Region 9  fall leadership conferences! 

The Region 1 conference was held at Bay College in Escanaba. We had a great time with the leadership and team building activities.  It was a fantastic kick-off to the HOSA year!                                                                                                                                                       

The Region 9 conference was held in Hancock. There were appoximately 140 students that attended.  They really ROCKED, JAMMED and CLAPPED THEIR HANDS!!!!!!!!!  They sure have HOSA spirit!

Both conferences went very well! I want to thank them for having me! Here are some pictures from the conferences.

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 On September 14 we recieved the terrible news that my cousin Jeff Moyle died in a parasailing accident. He was only 30 years old.

Jeff definately lived life to the fullest! He accomplished so much for someone so young. Since 2006 he was President of Moyle Constuction, a   company that my Uncle and Aunt started in 1976.  He was a champion snowmobile,  water cross and rally car racer. This summer Jeff had the opportunity to show his skills at the X-Games in Los Angeles California. (Jeff’s car soaring in the air)  He had a passion for life and excelled in everything he did! He will be missed. Surviving are his wife, Kim; and their daughter Gracie; his parents and his two brothers.

Jeff A. Moyle 1978-2008

Here’s my 2007 National gold medal speech “Healing With Our Hands Helping With Our Hearts.” I had a blast with this topic! Enjoy!

This is a new HOSA year! I would like to kick the year off with my first National Gold Medal speech "Living The Dream and Loving the Profession" I hope you enjoy it!