Fotogalerie
My mother and father holding Marc hours after his birth November 30, 1984.
My parents had arrived in Germany three days prior to Marc’s birth–their very first visit to the country. Here they are holding him, their first grandchild, hours after his birth, They are ecstatic!
With surgeon Dr. Aldo Castañeda and Marc after a successful surgery at Children’s Hospital Boston in 1994.
Words cannot, express my gratitude to this brilliant surgeon who saved my son’s life.
As of this writing, Dr. Castañeda, at eighty-six years of age, is living in Guatemala City, Guatemala where he has founded UNICARP Hospital, the first pediatric cardiac surgical care unit in the country.
This center has become the regional referral base and source of training for physicians and nurses throughout the region and currently serves children from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
It is not unusual for Dr. Castañeda’s team to repair the hearts of many babies and children of impoverished families at no charge. Dr. Castañeda has established the Aldo Castañeda Foundation to ensure sustainability of the program.
He goes to work everyday.
If you can, please make a donation to his foundation. Make your check payable to The Friends of Dr. Aldo Castañeda Foundation. Mailing Address: Boston Children’s Hospital 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
Braveheart!
Marc’s fearlessness has never ceased to amaze me!
Here he is flyboarding in Ibiza, Spain in 2014. How fitting that the etymological meaning of the word ‘heart’ is ‘courage’!
Speaking and fundraising on behalf of the children at the 2016 Vienna Film Ball
Grüssgott und Servus Vienna!
I am honored to be here this evening.
If I may, I’d like to take a moment to ask you to consider all victims the world over, who, because of their skin color, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability have faced any form of violence, humiliation, abuse or terror. We have no place in our world for this injustice, wouldn’t you agree?
A healthy world begins with our children and how they are influenced by their environments. Do they feel supported? Do they feel encouraged? Do they feel loved?
Tonight, with your generous donation to the Kinderschutzbund Österreich, you will be supporting the efforts of this wonderful organization, which was established to protect children’s rights, shield them from violence and raise them up out of poverty by supporting them with psychological, social, legal and medical counseling.
You should care about this because the children are indeed our future.There can be no better investment and who knows? One day, one of these children may have to help you in your time of need.
You – each of you, can make a difference. If you don’t have a history of giving, then there’s no better time to start than now. Your contribution can help to transform a needy child from a state of victimhood into being a person of character and a thriving member of society. You can make a direct and measurable impact on a child’s life.
Imagine that.
So in diesem Sinne, bitte ich Sie um Ihre Unterstützung.Greifen Sie tief in Ihre Taschen. Jeder Cent zählt und im Namen der Kinder, der Zukunft unsere Welt, danke ich Ihnen sehr.
Thank you very much!
Incompatible with Nature – A Mother’s Story in the Goody Bag - Ronald McDonald Austria Charity Gala November 2016
The Ronald McDonald Austria Charity Gala November 2016 was moderated by the very charming Alfons Haider who squeezed my hand tightly as he introduced me and my book. He announced that 250 of my books would be in the take home goody-bag. There were over 500 guests in the house and I was told that there were requests for the book well after the last one was gone, which was quite an honor for me. It thrilled me to my core to see my name on the list of sponsors and supporters for this special event.
Interview on Austrian News oe24 TV
Thank you to Nora Kahn and the Austrian news team at oe24 for the wonderful interview featuring my book. The interview is in German–special thanks to news reporter Nadine Friedrich who warmly welcomed me and conducted an excellent interview.
Nothing like cuddling on the couch with the maestro!
In Los Angeles for my book presentation, courtesy of and HUGE thank you to the very gracious Diane Adachi, I had the great pleasure of having a few hours of quiet time with my uncle, Quincy Jones. Each and every time I’m in his presence, I get a surge of inspiration! Understandably so, right? Read more about this spectacular evening and my thanks to all who have supported me on the first leg of my book tour in the menopausebarbees post, Incompatible with Nature-A Mother’s Story on Tour (February 20, 2017)
Incompatible with Nature-A Mother’s Story presented at the UIC in Rockford, Illinois, February 15, 2017
A highlight of my book tour in February 2017 was speaking before the University of Illinois College of Medicine. I can not thank University Dean Dr. Stagnaro-Green, his staff, the students and Mrs. Andrea Langs Bear enough for this amazing opportunity. I was so very honored because not only was my presentation open to all staff and students, it was mandatory for the second year medical students to attend. In part, I told these aspiring doctors and medical professionals to remember that words matter; that patience and communication are vital. We need to encourage and support each other for we all have the same goal and that is to save, preserve, protect and enjoy life.
And another first leg book tour highlight
Addressing the 400 attendees at the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women’s Luncheon in Rockford, Illinois February 15, 2017 So carry this with you in your daily: Whether you are fighting for a life, changing course in life, or facing or enduring any kind of change, especially uncomfortable change, don’t give up! Be courageous in your conviction and have conviction in your courageousness!
7th Fontan Heart Organisation meeting
Inspiration beim 7. Treffen der Fontan Heart Organisation am Weissenhäuser Strand, Deutschland.
ACHA’s Walk for 1 in 100
Mit meiner Schwester und Co-Bloggerin Dana. Gemeinsam haben wir 3 450,00 $ für den Seattle ACHA's Walk for 1 in 100 Spendensammlung für Herzkrankheiten, Forschung und Bildung gesammelt.
Honorary Chair
Es war mir eine Ehre, für die Seattle 1 in 100 Spendenaktionen im Juni 2019 zum Ehrenvorsitzenden ernannt worden zu sein.
Wo alles begann…
Marc und ich heute
Einen Herzschlag entfernt
"Keine Operation kann ihn retten," erklärte der Arzt meinem Mann auf Deutsch.
"Lassen Sie Ihren Sohn sterben," sagte er zu mir in gebrochenem Englisch.
Dies ist die inspirierende Geschichte des Kampfes einer Frau, das Leben ihres Sohnes zu retten.
Ein vielfach ausgezeichnetes Buch
