Ask a friend to walk!
|  | It's not National Ask a Friend to Walk week.
But, we've always been unconventional so why not give it a try.
You will feel great, your friend will thank you.
You can do this.
Make it happen.
I put a picture of Richie because I always wanted to be his friend.
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| Walk with a Doc Newsletter |
Greetings!
Good morning! Over the past couple of weeks, thanks to spring, my office patients have had an extra bounce in their step. We're hoping the same holds true for you.
Part of being involved in WWAD is seeing these great stories firsthand. This past Saturday, just at Dr. Mary Lynn Niland's Westerville site, I had the opportunity to speak with three new people that heard about us through their physician. They showed up with 11 family members collectively, and they walked 2-4x more than they ever have. Afterward, to a person, they said it was easy and fun for three reasons.
One, there were a lot of fellow walkers and volunteers that gave them support; two, they appreciated that Dr. Niland, and the whole collection of docs and nurses care about their health, and; three, they watched my escapade. I happened to trip over a rock and then instinctively tried to grab a tree branch for support. This created a loud snap that was only exceeded in decibels by the comments I regret sharing when the tree limb gave out. This pattern of events sent me into a deceivingly large puddle of mud. Fortunately, the self-esteem (a proven benefit of exercise) I gained from walking with our friends counteracted the deep humility of the fall.
Thank you again for the privilege of letting us share the inner workings of Walk with a Doc on a routine basis. Just a reminder to ask that you please respect the confidential nature of this communication; it doesn't behoove the public image of our program that the doc was having trouble keeping his feet under him. |
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The Last Wish (II of II)
|  When we last visited our confused cardiologist he was struggling to save a life by writing The Perfect Newsletter. A life he believed onychomycosis was trying to take too soon. Fortunately, Lamisil has since addressed the issue 6 days ago. At the time this newsletter went to print, our patient is perfectly fine and currently out practicing beach volleyball for an upcoming tournament. (www.spikeoutsepsis.org). We, however, have not shared this with the doctor, as we are having too much fun watching him struggle. Let us peek in and see how our physician is faring...
(With British accent)
DAY 13
DEAR DIARY - This marks the fourth consecutive day with nary the support of an evening's rest. The lamp's oil is running low and mine eyes bloodshot and edematous to the degree of being near swollen shut. I sit half-slumped over my wooden desk, floating chest-deep in crumpled papyrus. These sheets serve as a constant reminder of my ineptitude. My dramatic ineptitude in fulfilling my oath to the mighty Hippocrates. Enough broken quills surround my chair to form a flock of geese. I'm near ruined by frustration - yet I must overcome for this young man and his beautiful family. Their dreams depend on my ability to compose The Perfect Newsletter.
I struggle to stand. My tremulous hand grasping for the chair rail to support my near lifeless body. I fear the atrophy I have suffered over the previous fortnight has sapped most all my remaining strength. (The barely audible sounds of Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Soundtrack) begin to waft through the southern facing window. The translucent drapes moving ever so slighty with the wind). I gather myself, and with my left foot dragging, suffer twenty two paces to the icebox. The short journey drains me, yet, at the same moment, my soul begins to fill with something unexplainable. I feel a whisper of confidence, a hint of empowerment. As my self-esteem rises, my posture improves. I make my way out onto the weathered wooden porch. Oh the glorious beechwood! The sunlight that has been foreign to my sight is near-blinding, bringing me to my knees.
I make out a pedestrian nearby and summons her to the periphery of my residence.
"Dear lady! Might ye wish to go for a stroll on this fine midsummer's night?"
"Sure, but why are you talking like that?"
"I have failed in the utmost to fulfill my duties as a physician."
As miles passed, I weaved my tale of woe. A fine listener, she. We strolled through neighborhoods, ascended peaks, and forded mountain streams. Defeating heart disease, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's and forming a friendship in the process.
Well into our discussion my traveling companion, I shall refer to her as Margaret Elizabeth, shared something most poetic.
"You know David, maybe The Perfect Newsletter has been in front of us all along! Just as you asked me to walk, I should ask another, who would ask another.
With a pensive, yet crescendo like manner, she continued to share,
"Maybe The Perfect Newsletter is the impetus that would start that cascade? David?! Do you know what this means!! This information shall serve to break you from the your shackles!
My friend - you are FREE!"
I stared into her for a minute, (or was it a lifetime?), before dropping to my knees, sobbing without abandon.
For once again, going for a walk had not only saved the life of my friend dying of onychomycosis, but it had just saved that of another very close to me....MY OWN!"
(Loud percussion and horns burst in - akin to Heston's Ten Commandments closing credits.)
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I always envision the newsletter as part board meeting, serving to update us all with what transpired during the week. This week was very good. Thanks to our great team, we're fortunate to have a lot of those. This week:
- A health care leader is sending out 20 WWAD toolkits to the 20 largest physician groups in Indiana
- We developed a plan to be more proactive in spreading the walk with our friends Molly Culbertson and Sarah Irvin (irvinpr.com)
- WWAD friend and author Carole Carson (www.fromfat2fit.com) will be putting our story on www.dailystrength.com and in her newsletter
- We had another great call with the ACC and our Denver leader, Dr. Andrew Freeman. All sharing good thoughts on spreading the word through the organization.
- We received interest from a cardiologist in Trieste, Italy
Honestly, there is a lot more, but that's enough for now.
Kathryn and I look at all of us as equal teammates on this mission. I cannot stress enough that we are all making
very significant progress with individuals and communities around the country.
- Let's continue to get our 150 minutes/week
- Let's continue to ask our neighbors and friends to join us for a walk - let's help them get their 150 minutes.
- Let's continue to ask the doctors to lead (so they can get their 150 minutes).
For this weekend's walks, please go to (www.walkwithadoc.org) and click on the black shoes!
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Thank you for your continued dedication to exercise. Together we have the infrastructure, the passion, and the vision to make it happen. Let's continue to make this something we can all be proud of.
See you Saturday,
David
Walk with a Doc
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