This is a great article about Tara and her swimming achievements. Go Tara!

Also, the article has several related stories.  The story on neural transplantation is remarkable.  That Dr. Steinberg is not only a pioneer, he's a genuis!

http://med.stanford.edu/mcr/2008/moyamoya-1105.html

Lore  

Wow, we didn't realize Stanford was re-launching this article today!  Kind of caught us by surprise, but I'm guessing they're targeting something (who knows what?) specific.

We're all hoping that this is just a small beginning of Tara's quest for greatly increasing moyamoya awareness.  She mentioned the other day that her hope is for moyamoya awareness to rival breast cancer in familiarity.  (Not that we wish for 1 in 4 women to be diagnosed with MM, but bringing awareness to a comparable par would be awesome, wouldn't it?)

After the flurry of swims the last few months, Tara is scoping out future open water swims. There probably won't be any more until 2009, but the nice thing is that they have them EVERYWHERE (I'm rooting for the one in St. Croix at some point!).  This type of swim seems to be more prevalent in the February - October time frame, so stay tuned.  She's looking around, seeing what she might be able to pull off, keeping school and her goal of nursing as a priority.  She is definitely a woman on a mission, so watch out!  We are just beyond proud of her and her lion-size heart.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all again for your love and support.  Many of you are the wind beneath Tara's wings, and we are so blessed to call you our friends.

Big hugs,
Jill (and proud papa, Campbell)    

WOW ! !   TARA THIS IS GREAT ! !  WAY TO GO, GIRL !  WE LOVE YOU.

                         

                         CASS, KATE, JON, GREG AND TYLER

Tara~

Great swimming -- I realize it was a few months ago but.....

I'm so proud of you for doing the swim, and for using it to increase awareness of moyamoya.

A woman on a mission!

I'm proud of you, and thankful!!!
\
Best LOVE,

Linda and Jack

Tara, your achievements have been a great inspiration for my daughter.  She rides her horse competetively and really hates that she will won't be able to go to shows or ride for a while after her surgery.  She is getting close enough to her surgery date that she is starting to get scared...up until now she's been very brave.  seeing how well you have done is a great comfort to her...there is life after surgery.  Keep up the good work.

I just printed out Tara's article.  So that I can give a copy to the school nurse and Cara's 4th grade teacher....it gives enough information...a perfect article to have to explain MM.  Especially living in a new state...with the school not knowing Cara before and during her surgeries...and her ongoing on and off little TIA's (but aren't TIA's ...instead symptoms of MM) She told me today that the teacher doesn't have any idea what she's having during the episodes ...so am emailing her some information.  Thanks xox