Health Reform!

Ok, so my Mom emailed me this contest type deal proposed by the Obama administration regarding a push for Health Reform. You submit a 30-second video capturing your thoughts on why we need to push Health Reform, a panel of judges reviews them and selects 20 finalists. The winner gets their video displayed on a national ad promoted Health Reform.

By the time she emailed it to me, we only had a week to get our entry in. Initially, we sorta gave up on the idea, not having anything but a script. No gear, no video camera. Luckily, my roommate is a photographer, and came through in the clutch with some gear. He also offered his editing services and came through with quite a handsome clip. We were done ahead of the deadline, YES!!! But, my own panel of judges thought it could use a little more meat. This is quite challenging considering you only have 30 seconds. You try to sum up what I've been blogging for over a year into 30 seconds and let me know how YOU do. :)

Sooo, last night we attempted our second take. Once finished with plenty of good footage, we did some blooper reels. Lots of fun. I am taking the material to be edited this afternoon, and released to You Tube by tomorrow's deadline. Wish us luck!!! We could use a little more national attention, I figure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Updates on health. Well, what I had originally thought to have been a freak occurance, is unfortunately not. It seems whenever my Dad is making great progress, someone wants to kick him back down. Being the fighter that he is, he continues to manage to get back up in a short amount of time.

What I am referring to his seizure he had recently. The doctor prescribed some medicine to prevent future seizures, but sadly, it didn't work. He had another one the other night while in Brad's care. He was a little lethargic the next day, but bounced right back, and we are back on track. Ever since his birthday excursion to Reno, which was a complete success by the way, he has been extremely focused on improving his speech. The one frustrating part about the trip to Reno, was the inability for him to communicate in a car rolling down the freeway. At home, it's quiet, we can hear him better. On the freeway, it's another story. As soon as we got home, he and Fred started a program in which he will practice 10 words a week. Everyday, he and Fred will work on pronunciation. Come Friday, it's up to the rest of us to guess the words he is trying to speak to us. This compiled with the singing has improved him, but it's still a long road ahead.

If anyone reading has other suggestions we can work on, please feel free to share.

I see our photos are working. Strange that they didn't work before.

Mike (roommate) subbed in the song "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls for our video clip. When we have it finished, I will forward the link pending my Dad's approval, of course. I'll end this post with the lyrics to this song which are amazingly powerful and accurate.

And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight

Chorus
And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything seems like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know your alive

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am