Living on the frontlines

I'm just passing this info along. Wish I lived in New York and could go! Grin. MIND'S EYE: FREE PROGRAMS FOR PARTIALLY SIGHTED, BLIND, AND DEAF VISITORS Mon, June 14, 6:30 pm (Guggenheim) Join us for a special tour of A Year with Children 2010, an annual exhibition that showcases artwork created by students participating in the museum’s Learn Through Art program. Created in response to the elimination of art programs, Learning Through Art places professional teaching artists into New York City public schools to teach students how to make and think about art. Separate programs for partially sighted, blind, and deaf visitors through Verbal Imaging, touch, and ASL*. Free, space is limited for both programs, advance RSVP required by Monday, June 7. To RSVP, 212 360 4355 or access@guggenheim.org. Please indicate if you will be attending the Verbal Imaging or ASL tour. Tours begin promptly at 6:30 pm. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior. Learn more about Mind's Eye tours.

Here's Tommy getting ready for his interview. We had fun teasing him about the make up. Poor Tommy had to wait quite a while before it was his turn and the make up itched. He didn't want to scratch....

These photos are from Karen's interview. The only time I could take photos (so as not to ruin the set lighting for the lighting guy) was when they were touching up Karen's hair and make up. The interview took FIVE hours!!!!! Usually the lights are hot, but the TV station had the air conditioner cranked up so high it was like an iceberg in there.

After Karen's interview, the make-up artists did her up for an evening on the town. It was fun! I wish I could do with my eyes what they did with her eyes - they looked great.

The happy ending - the film crew films the loving family cooking hot dogs. Filming at Dr. Lomax's office. Karen at the TV studio being interviewed. Karen with the make-up artists getting ready for the interview. For those who don’t know, Karen has been talking to the producers at the show Mystery Diagnosis for months now. You wouldn’t believe the process that goes into creating these shows. Karen has endured multiple phone interviews lasting hours upon hours. She’s had to track down old medical records and play liaison between the show and her doctors. Finally, she had to endure three solid days of filming right after being gone at ATS. The first day was spent at a local television studio. I was allowed to sit in on Karen’s interview, but not the others. Karen did a wonderful job and was very open and frank with the reporter. The interview took FIVE solid hours under television lights. They then spent several hours, filming late into the night, interviewing Karen’s dad, husband ...

This is Richie and Ivette - President of the HPS Network Puerto Rico. Photos by Tommy Tillman

Have you ever felt just, well, bla? Not horribly sick, but not horribly well. Not really depressed, but not perky and peppy either – just kind of, well, bla? That’s how I feel. It’s allergy season, and as I do every year, I’ve been battling these allergies and I’m sick of it. Allergies seem like such a minor complaint. I know people who are truly sick, so how I can moan about allergies? Yet, it’s amazing to me every year just how debilitating allergies can be. I am currently taking a TON of allergy medicine and it makes me sleepy. The alternative, however, is hives and even more asthma problems. I’m already having several coughing fits a day that last 20 to 30 minutes at a time. It almost feels as though my insides are having a spasm of sorts, like I’m vibrating and it makes me cough. When I finish one of those coughing fits sometimes they are so bad I feel as though I have to throw up. If not, I feel worn out, like a wrung out dish rag. Then, later, I’m fine. Go figure. My nose runs a...