“Master of my Fate”: Jacopo Parizzi’s Story

“Master of my Fate”: Jacopo Parizzi’s Story

I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. I was a “normal” young Italian boy like every other young Italian boy: in love with soccer, pasta and holidays at seaside. I was, until the age of 8. I still remember the feelings; my feet were weaker than...
Raising a Son with a Rare Disease: The Clayton Journey

Raising a Son with a Rare Disease: The Clayton Journey

The following is a blog post written by Darla Clayton, the mother of TeamUP Co-Captain Trent Clayton. Both she and Trent have CCM, or Cerebral Cavernous Malformations, which is a rare genetic disease that causes brain and spinal tumors. Recently they took part in a...
“My Miracle Boy”: The Story of Tasha & Zak

“My Miracle Boy”: The Story of Tasha & Zak

After years of infertility I was elated to finally become pregnant naturally, and I breezed through my pregnancy without a single complication. I utterly glowed and loved every second of carrying Zak, my miracle baby, to term. Unfortunately, labour and delivery are...
Every Step Beats MS: Gene Caffrey’s Story

Every Step Beats MS: Gene Caffrey’s Story

My Multiple Sclerosis (MS) story started in November of 2009. I was competing in the 2009 Florida Ironman in Panama City, and after the first 1.2-mile lap of the swim I got out of the water and couldn’t feel my legs.  They went numb and had bad cramps. I thought it...
CMT Warrior: Laura Werlinger’s Story

CMT Warrior: Laura Werlinger’s Story

Hi!  My name is Laura Werlinger and I live in Jaffrey, New Hampshire with my husband John and my dog Dexter.  I am a recovery coach/peer recovery specialist for a recovery center and am working on obtaining my Certified Recovery Support Worker certification from the...
The Courage to Change: Kristina McCormick’s Story

The Courage to Change: Kristina McCormick’s Story

My name is Kristina McCormick, and I am 27 years old. I’ve lived with Cerebral Palsy my whole life, but I’ve never let it stop me from enjoying the adventures that life brings. I have Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy and enjoy wearing colorful socks with my AFOs, which...