A Rainy September Day and OoohLaLa's!

Today it is raining here is St. Louis and I am getting ready to head to OohLaLa!'s for local fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis. It should be great fun.

As I was looking over my blog I realized that since my last post, I have had a birthday, started aquatic therapy, have a new diet plan and I am receiving new equipment to help me have some independence. The one thing that is funny though is my blog still says I am 12. I only wish, so far 13 hasn't been that great. But as mom says, "It can only get better". :)

If you are in the St. Louis area, check out OohLaLa! They are donating 15% of their proceeds from their four day sale to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Come on out and enjoy!

Miracle Treat Day

On Thursday, August 11, 2011, I was the special guest at the High Ridge Dairy Queen at Dillion Plaza. During the two hours I was there, I greeted customers and handed out stickers to everyone who purchased a Blizzard. It was really awesome to see all the purchased balloons they had on all their windows.

I also was greeted by my favorite reporter, Amy Huff, of the Current Magazine. She is absolutely awesome and funny. I am always happy to do an interview with her. Oh yeah, Amy, you forgot your signature. LOL Amy took the fabulous picture of me making a cone.

Thank you for helping kids like me!

A Walk in the Park

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis
Representing SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center
Former Ambassadors:
Danielle '06, Christopher (ME) '09, Greta '10, and Josh '07
(not pictured but in attendence- James '11 and Haley '08)

This year was the first year I could participate in A Walk in the Park. In previous years, this has been a cancer patient only event. I ended up raising approximately $137.00. Which wasn't bad for my first year. It was great to see all my friends and hang out this morning, but the weather in St. Louis is miserable so I didn't stay at the park for the day.

My speech from the 2011 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champion Kick-Off

Many people ask me what is it that I do for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals? I hope this video helps explain what I do.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=osx0Itc30_U

Meet Champions in St. Louis

Two Children's Miracle Network Champions meet for the first time in St. Louis before their big convention in October. Kyle, New Mexico Champion, & Christopher, Missouri Champion, met at Starbucks at the Hyatt Regency @ the Arch for tea and a brief introduction. After their brief meeting Christopher is even more excited to make more friends in Florida and DC in October.

So for all the other 51 Champions- Meet us in St. Louie! We would love to meet up with you, if you are in the area. 113.5 days until we meet in Orlando.

Chipping in for Children

Thursday, June 23, 2011 @ 11:00am - 7:30am at Whitmoor Country Club.
I will be there in the afternoon to help raise awareness for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. I hope to see everyone there.







Chipping in for Children 2011 was a great event. I had a wonderful time getting to know all the sponsors and doing a great deal of photo ops with all of them. I cannot wait to get the photos back from Phil to post on here for everyone to see. I received two really fun items from the vendors, a Oreo #8 blow up racecar and the Pillsbury Doughboy Keychain. It is so much fun to squeeze his tummy.



The golfers looked like they had a wonderful time. I met a great deal of wonderful people. I hope next year is just as great if not greater.

Washington Missouri Wal~Mart Meet & Greet

Today, I finally made it to one of my favorite Wal~Mart's, THE WASHINGTON MISSOURI WAL~MART! It was fun to see Rachel and Amanda again. We plan on having some kind of fundraiser this summer for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. I always enjoy going to see them.

But today was very different. I am so use to that Wal~Mart being SUPER busy all hours of the day. Today it wasn't. The weather man has predicted tornadoes for our area until late tonight. After the devastating loss in Joplin, MO, I think everyone is finding a safe place to be. So while I was out having fun with my Washington Wal~Mart, I am also reminded of my duties as being Champion for the State of Missouri.

Freeman Health System is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. It is the only full functioning hospital in Joplin at the moment (according to what little news we get). The citizens of Joplin are enduring great loss and devastation. So please, please make a donation to Freeman Health Systems through Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Right now their Wal~Mart Campaign would be taking place, but their Wal~Mart is completely gone. I can't even begin to imagine an entire Wal~Mart there one day and the next day POOF it is gone.

Please pray with me for all those effected by the tornadoes and for the tornadoes to subside. Also, please make a donation with me to Freeman Health System a Children's Miracle Network Hospital.

2011 Missouri Champion Wal~Mart Kick-Off!

Well it is officially upon us, the 2011 Missouri Champion Wal~Mart Kick-Off! My special day is Tuesday, May 17th starting at 10:30am at the Festus Wal~Mart #069. If you are in the area please stop by and say hi. It should be a great day.

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!

I am a pretty blessed kid. This is my 4th family-- My FESTUS Wal~Mart Family. They came into my life in 2009. Some from the original store have moved to other stores, but they came back for my special day.

All I can say about my kick off is WOW! And if you ever need a party planner, I recommend Denise. She did an amazing job with her team at the FESTUS Wal~Mart Store #069.

My day started out not so good. None of them knew I took a handful of pain medications so I could function. After about an hour for the pain meds to kick in, I was feeling great. Then the excitement started. It was a happy day, and I really needed that to carry me through the rest of my week (since Thursday was AWFUL!).

I could never thank my Wal~Mart enough. Plus I can continue to blog, they bought me an iPad. They helped me out, without my dad finding out. Great job. He can be sneaky. He finds out everything ahead of time even when we try our hardest. I can continue to share my thoughts on my blogs and not feel trapped. One thing about my illness is that on bad days, I feel trapped and as everyone has heard my mom say, "My words are my escape."

I also met some really awesome people. Sgt. Roth with the US Army. Sgt. Roth gave me all kinds of cool stuff and called me brave. It was such an honor to have him there. But what he doesn't know is his picture is going on mom's WALL. For those who don't know, in our living room is The Wall. Mom has worked on this for years now, and it is no where finished. Mom has put up pictures of family and friends that serve in the military or have served in the military. Every person on that wall is a hero. The Wall is a constant reminder of why we have the freedoms we have. I never thought my picture would make the wall since the military would never take me with this disease. But thanks to Sgt. Roth's picture, I get to be on mom's wall. So it is doubly cool!

I also received the Key to the Twin Cities (Festus & Crystal City). Since the Wal~Mart in Festus sits in two cities. Which is kind of cool if you think about it. I was shocked to receive the Key. It is a really nice award. It is currently hanging in the living room. Dad was perticular about where it was going. He wanted it on the wall as soon as we got home. Our walls are almost covered.

Then I became an honorary Wal~Mart Distribution Center Driver. I even got a ride in one of their Semi's. That was fun. Everyone looked so small from way up there.

The cake was great and my cashier Loretta even saved me my face from the cake. Loretta is the only one that understands I have to eat the piece with my face on it. :) It is kind of creapy to think someone else could eat my face. She didn't forget from two years ago. Oh yeah, and I already ate my face. I also ate the CIDP. It is about time I got to stab at that, instead of it attacking me. I think I may have thought of a fundraiser. For a dollar you can write a disease or illness on a water balloon and throw it at a brick wall. I wonder how many balloons my mom would give me?

Next thing Chipping in for Kids which will be June 23.

May is for Miracles Radio Broadcast with Clear Channel Radio 93.7 The Bull & Rewind 103.3

May is for Miracles Radio Broadcast

93.7 The Bull- Mason, Dusty & Remy, Rewind 103.3 Cindy & Greg

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis Ambassadors representing SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center: Greta (2010), Josh (2007) with my little sister Cassandra on his back, & Me (2009)

May is for Miracles!

Please tune in on Wednesday, May 11 from 6am to 6pm as Clear Channel Radio 93.7 THE BULL and Rewind 103.3 broadcast live from my favorite place in St. Louis! Yes, you guessed it! SSM CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER!!! Please call 1-800-432-4KID or go to http://www.cmn-stl.org/ to make your pledges. We need your help! Then tune in again on Thursday, May 12 from 6am to 6pm as they broadcast live from St. Louis Children's Hospital.

I love radiothon from Glennon each year. We always have a great time. This will be the forth time I have broad casted live from Glennon. My first year was 2007, and I was a little nervous but I got over it quickly. Because by 2009, I was having fun with the radio personalities, answering phones and talking with all the volunteers. During my 2009 Ambassador year, there was one patient at Glennon that was walking between appointments that I was able to race cars with in the atrium. If you haven't seen the atrium at Glennon, you truly are missing something spectacular. It makes is feel like home, not a stuffy old hospital.


I have just learned some news via Facebook. I have come full circle with Radiothon. When I started as a shy little boy, my broadcaster was Cindy Collins. With the change up to Radiothon, and the new radio stations, I will see Cindy Collins again. It will be comforting to have a friendly face at Radiothon.

Everyone tune in! I will be there.
Christopher
(I will update Wednesday night with pictures and posts about the day.)

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!

So Blogspot had a corrupt file and erased my original work from Thursday. Since I was in the hospital on Friday, I wasn't able to redo my work. This is a little frustrating, to say the least.

If you would like to see updates from Wednesday and final total from Thursday, please visit http://www.937thebull.com/ or http://www.rewind1033.com/ .

93.7 The Bull-- Mason, Dusty and Remy

I had a great time talking with them. Dusty is even my friend on Facebook. These guys were a lot of fun. Mason let me try out his iPad2 for the day. Mom still refuses to let me have Angry Birds, she says it is too addicting. :) I played Angrey Birds for like an hour, so I know mom is right. But it was great fun.

When I was able to listen to the radio on Thursday, I was really impressed with Mason & Remy, plus Dusty's dedication to our stories. It was really amazing to hear all the work they were doing on Thursday. I only got to see them work on Wednesday, but I didn't hear it. So it was hard for me to visualize all the work they were doing. I hope to be their next year with them!

The Bull ROCKS!

If you go to www.937thebull.com , you can see a video of me talking on the radio. Mom says something must have been distracting me while I was talking, because it looks like I was reading something. I wasn't, I was studying what they guys were doing. Mason & Remy were a lot fun to joke around with.

****************************************************************************************

Rewind 103.3 with Greg & Cindy. Please go to www.rewind1033.com to see videos and pictures from Wednesday and Thursday. There is a really great story about Cindy. In 2007, I was a Miracle Child for Children's Miracle Network. My duty was to just talk on the radio. Well I was really scared to, so mom did all the talking. Cindy was the radio announcer at the other radio station. She was the first person I interviewed with four years ago. It was really special to connect with a friend again. Cindy is great. When mom was listening to Rewind 103.3 on Thursday, Cindy made her cry. It was touching to see how much both radio stations cared.

Rewind 103.3 with Greg & Cindy

(Yes, this is the lap quilt that mom made me.)

I hope to make it to next years broadcast.

Making the Rounds on May 10, 2011

Happy Monday Everyone,

Tomorrow is going to be an adventure as I make the rounds to three different Wal~Mart's to help promote the National Wal~Mart Campaign here in Jefferson, Washington and St. Francois Counties. My morning will start at DeSoto at approximately 10:00 am. Thank you Mom for allowing me to sleep in a little tomorrow. (I don't get to sleep in on Wednesday!) Then I will be off to Potosi and my final destination will be Desloge. Each of these Wal~Mart's did great things for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. I am really honored and proud to say I get to go and see their wonderful employees. Two of these Wal~Mart's are in really remote areas, and they are doing BIG things for children like me.

So I will be awarding Wal~Mart #0152 of DeSoto their certificate with their 2010 fundraising total on it. They did $3686.00. Woo Hoo! Way to go DeSoto! Then off to Wal~Mart #0173 of Potosi to award them their certificate! They raised $1,127.00. I am really proud of them, especially with what the unemployment rate is down there. It really shows the big hearts that are in Potosi. My final stop is Wal~Mart #0095 of Desloge with a grand total for 2010 being $6324.00. All I can say is WOW! Each of these Wal~Marts are very special to me in their own ways. Most the time they don't even realize when I come to visit. It isn't often, but I do visit them quite a bit. Thank you Wal~Mart! Thank you! Thank you!

I will see you TOMORROW!
(I will post pictures and updates tomorrow night after I return from making the rounds.)

Christopher

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!

I have just returned from MAKING THE ROUNDS to the wonderful Wal~Marts just south of me. It is always fun meeting with Store Managers and the fabulous associates that dedicate their time to helping Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

So I started out at 10:00 am sharp at DeSoto Wal~Mart #0152. I first met with Michelle the Associate Coordinator for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. She introduced me to Pat, one of the top sales associates for Children's Miracle Network. What Pat didn't realize is mom had already come through her lane earlier. Pat was asking everyone to donate to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Pat is now sporting a nice red ribbon on her name tag. ;) Thank you Pat!

Pat, Gary, Michelle (my sister & I)

I had a great time! Thank Gary for all the amazing stories. It was fun talking and laughing with you today.

Then I was off to Potosi. Now usually when I am in Potosi, I am getting ready to head to the Starlite Drive-In located near Cadet, MO. One time when we were heading to the movies, I actually SAW my poster in their store! Yes, my poster was that far south in Potosi. I didn't realize they were in our area in 2009. So you can only imagine my surprise when I saw my promotional poster in their store back then. I knew this Wal~Mart had to be special. (The 2011 Local Ambassadors' promotional poster is up in their store now and it looks nice.)

I met Renee and Melissa the ladies that organize all the Potosi Children's Miracle Network Hospitals fundraisers. They have some really great ideas to raise some extra funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and I can't wait to help them.

Dolly, Melissa and Renee

Ms. Dolly asks everyone to contribute to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. I also heard her ask while I was in the store.

Thank you to the Potosi Wal~Mart for the baseball designed snack container, Cardinal's deck of playing cards and coaster set. I have a funny story to tell about the snack container. Everyone kept asking me as I was going through the store if it had cupcakes in it. When I met the Assistant Manager Brian, he asked if their was cupcakes in the container. We all chucked at him. I had cupcakes when I went home. So another big Thank You for the cupcakes. They are delicious!

Then it was off to Great-Aunt Laverne's Wal~Mart. Wal~Mart #0095 in Desloge, MO. We, as a family, have nicknamed this Wal~Mart: "Oh no I forgot the ______ for the potluck! Stop at the FORGET ME NOT! Wal~Mart!" I am always glad mom forgets an item and not one of us kids. (Ha! Ha!) They, too, have great fundraising ideas for this summer. I have already been informed I will be helping. YIPPY! So Aunt Laverne we are coming for a visit soon, and Aunt Laverne go check out your Wal~Mart, I will be on the wall soon. ;)

The best surprise of all today was seeing my dear friend and Wal~Mart employee, Leisha! I miss my friend. It is always great to see her, because she is always cheerful and positive. I know those that follow my Caring Bridge page, know that is the most important thing to me-being positive. I like surrounding myself with positive people, especially sweet ones like Leisha! (And thanks for the peck on the cheek.)

I was asked a very serious question the other day by a person who wanted to know what I see when I go into Wal~Mart's where associates may or may not being asking to contribute. When I hear an associate ask during the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals campaign to donate to our local hospitals, what I hear isn't exactly what everyone else hears. Yes, the associate may ask you if you would like to donate to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. But that isn't what I hear. I hear that associate say, "I love these children. They matter to me. I am asking you to support these children who need our love and support." But when an associate doesn't ask, well it breaks my heart. I know not everyone says yes to donate, and no one likes being turned down. But every penny adds up. Every penny. Trust me, I have seen it happen with my own eyes.

Next Wal~Mart Stop is Washington, MO. This is the Wal~Mart mom always comes home with new craft ideas for her Girl Scouts. I reallly can't see them topping last years!! (Yes, the challenge is on!)

Best Mother's Day Gift Ever

The best Mother's Day gift ever was not exactly what dad and I had planned. Dad was going to get mom the Miracles Charm Bracelet for her. It would add some bling (as my sister would say) to mom's attire for our travels to DC and Orlando. Dad had every intention of going to get the bracelet, but mom decided to call him and say she would pick it up since we were in the area of the mall. So with all of us, decked out in our Race for Miracles shirts we went to White House Black Market. Our friends, Mrs. AuBuchon and her daughter Danielle (also a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Ambassador for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center), were sitting outside the store. They too wanted to get their Miracle Bracelets. As we are walking in, excited to get our Mother's Day presents, right in front of us is a picture of ME! It is official, I am in a women's apparel store. Mom was shocked, Mrs. AuBuchon took photos, and hopefully I get them soon (since the photos on mom's phone didn't turn out the best). I am not sure if the bracelet was the best gift or the look on mom's face when she saw my picture at the register. LOL Either way, she was smiling and that is the best gift in the world.


This picture isn't the best, but it is better than nothing, for now.


So please buy a Creating Miracles Charm Bracelet retails for $20 with $10 going back to the local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. These beautiful bracelets are available at Chico's, White House Black Market, and Soma Intimates. You can also purchase them online from each of these retail stores.

Race for Miracles Family 5K Run/Walk

Hello to all my friends who love to get out and run/walk on a Saturday Morning!
Well do I have the perfect event for you. Please visit the following website: www.cmn-stl.org/take-action/events/race-miracles-family-5K-runwalk . It should be great fun. Plus everyone will get a great laugh out of my little sister trying to push my wheelchair during the walk. She is a little too small to see over the wheelchair. I wonder how long it will take before mom takes over. Any ideas? I hope to see everyone out there.
-- Christopher --

UPDATE: (May 7, 2011)

As I woke up at 5:15am this morning to get dressed and ready to attend the Race for Miracles Family 5K Run/Walk, I could hear the rain and the crack of thunder. I was so nervous that the weather was going to hinder the wonderful event Children's Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis had prepared. My mom scurried us out the door under an umbrella to the truck. We heard of flash flooding and more rain to come during the day. I said a quick prayer to make the rain stay away from our race. As we attempted to drive to Chesterfield Commons, the rain just pounded on the vehicle. I was starting to feel sad. I was really afraid no one would show up. Put as we got closer to Chesterfield, the skies became clearer. The rain was going away. There were people there getting ready to race. We actually had more people attend this year than last year. I was really excited to see all the people. My sister was excited for the race. She really wanted to push my wheelchair during the walk. It was not raining in the Chesterfield Valley, but it was raining right across the way. It was kind of interesting to watch the storm clouds off in the distance, while we had beautiful weather for our race. The race started on time, and my sister started off with me. My friend and fellow Children's Miracle Network 2010 Ambassador for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, Greta, decided to walk with us. After a while my sister quit pushing me and ran with Greta. I was happy Greta took my sister, because it gave my mom and I a chance to chat and take the walk nice and slow. I wanted to enjoy the area. For a shopping center, the Chesterfield Commons are actually quite beautiful. As I was coming into the finish line, I could only make out a few words from Maria. She was announcing my arrival. Everyone was clapping. It was really awesome to see all the support. After a long time of clapping, mom finally was able to thank everyone for supporting this wonderful organization and all the wonderful children. My sister did run the kids race. She really enjoyed that. Plus we were able to pass out ribbons to all the kids. I always like passing out the ribbons, that is always the best part. The little kids love their ribbons. :)

Here are a few photos from today. I will post more when I receive them from the other Ambassador Families.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis Ambassadors

Danielle, Greta, Christopher (me), Katie, Audrey, Zach

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions

Champions is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its 170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 51 remarkable kids who have faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.

The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2011 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.

The Champions travel for a week in October, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals sponsors, hospital representatives and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.

Hello from the Children's Miracle Network 2011 Champion representing the State of Missouri

It is with great honor and privilege I, Christopher Armstrong, am able to represent the State of Missouri for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. As you can read from my bio, I have had quite the interesting life (to say the least). My philosophy in life is to live each day as if there is no tomorrow.

This blog is to help anyone and everyone who would like to come along for my journey as Children's Miracle Network Hospitals 2011 Champion for Missouri. I am looking forward to an exciting year representing not only all the children in the state of Missouri, but also representing my wonderful hospital: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.

My year will officially start on May 17, 2011 at 10:30 am at the Wal~Mart #069 Festus, Missouri. If you are in the Festus, Missouri area, please plan on attending. I would enjoy seeing everyone there.

Wal~Mart #069
650 South Truman Blvd
Festus, MO 63028

I would like to thank everyone who has supported, is supporting, and will support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Without your support and donations these wonderful hospitals could not accomplish what they do to help all children everywhere, especially children like me!

Yours truly,
Christopher Armstrong

Christopher's Story

Christopher
Age 12

Missouri
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center
Rare Brain Infection- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy


It started one day when Christopher experienced blurred vision and loss of depth perception. Christopher’s mom took him to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Simple optical solutions seemed to be the cure until one month later when Christopher lost all peripheral mobility and nerve functions. A few months after that, Christopher woke up unable to walk.

A year of spinal taps, testing and hospital stays resulted in a diagnosis: Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, an extremely rare disease of the brain that destroys protective coating around the nerves. Without this protective coating, nerve impulses slow or stop. At the time of his diagnosis, almost nothing was known about the disease. However, doctors at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center took on the challenge of finding a cure for Christopher.

Treatment has sometimes been trial and error. Christopher’s condition changes on a daily basis. Sometimes he finds himself needing a wheelchair or walker, while other times he can run and walk. Despite the uncertainty of his illness, Christopher lives his life determined to accomplish the things he needs to get done despite any obstacles he may have to overcome.