Determined to See

Taking a Break from RP

Written By: ingridricks - May• 12•14

Relax-a01-v3-9q-make-relaxation-habit-800x800

I love hiking and nature. So for Mother’s Day, I told my husband and two daughters that I wanted to head to Discovery Park—a huge wildlife park in Seattle that features a variety of hiking trails, including one that takes hikers down to the beach and to a very cool, old lighthouse.

My daughters ran ahead and took a shortcut down the bluff while John and I picked our way down a narrow trail packed with at least a couple hundred scattered wooden steps (with very spotty railing) that eventually led to the beach.

On top of the uneven wooden stairs that seemed to spring out of the dirt trail without warning, the trail was surrounded by trees that shaded the area and made the light dim.  I managed it—but only because John was at my side, holding my hand and calling out to me whenever we neared a step.

It made me realize how much energy I devote every day to this disease, and how much I just want to not think about it. So here’s my goal for the next week and my challenge for all of you: Let’s forget that we have RP for an entire week. Let’s pretend to be normal-sighted people and focus on all of the things that we can do rather than what we can’t, or what we struggle with. And then let’s all share our experiences here on this blog a week from now.

Along those lines, I just want to say thank you to all of you for the positive energy you are always sending my way. On the days I get a little discouraged by this lifelong eyesight-saving quest and the enormity of it all, it’s the words I receive from some of you that help me to keep plowing forward. It’s hard to battle this disease alone. But together, there’s No Stopping Us.

 

Join the conversation!

Pulling Together to Beat Retinitis Pigmentosa

Written By: ingridricks - Apr• 28•14

 

768px-Working_Together_Teamwork_Puzzle_Concept

For the first six years after my diagnosis, I hid my disease. I didn’t want anyone to pity me or think less of me, and I didn’t want Retinitis Pigmentosa to define who I was.

Even after I started writing about my experiences with the disease in essays and a memoir, I steered clear of Facebook groups or other online communities that would connect me with fellow RP sufferers because I didn’t want the constant reminder that I was losing my eyesight.

The irony in all of this is that when I finally decided to DO EVERYTHING in my power to save my eyesight and began doing more avid research into treatment options, I discovered that there are plenty of people out there who are searching for solutions, and they are sharing their findings in online groups.

If you’re not already a member, I highly recommend that you join the RP Research and Treatment Group on Facebook. It’s filled with discussions and posts on everything from alternative therapies to the latest progress in gene therapy and retinal implants.

Along with staying on top of different treatments and supplements available, my decision to finally connect with other RPers has put me in contact with people who are devout RP treatment explorers and are doing their own pilot studies and personal experiments to try to halt the progression of RP and eventually reverse this disease.

While advancements are continuing to be made in the medical community, the hard truth is that RP is a backburner disease when it comes to funding and research because of its relative rarity compared to diseases like age-related macular degeneration. But that doesn’t mean we’re doomed. The key is to pull together, keep trying new things, and keep sharing experiences and resources. Because RP is an umbrella term for a group of disorders, there isn’t a one size-fits-all-solution for this. But by sharing information and personal experiences, we can help each other find viable treatment options to halt or at least slow the progression of this disease until a cure is available.And who knows, maybe one of us will be the one to discover the cure.

Join the conversation!

Saying NO to Cyber Bullies and Attacks

Written By: ingridricks - Apr• 21•14

Print

I hate conflict—and hate putting any negative energy into the Universe. So I usually just ignore it when people send ugly emails or comments. But recently I’ve had two people—one an acupuncturist, the other hiding behind a gmail address—leave attacking notes re: Dr. Andy Rosenfarb.

Here’s what I want to say LOUD and CLEAR: This blog is about my personal journey with my eyesight—and all the steps I’ve taken to save it after being told repeatedly by retinal specialists that there is no hope for me. That I should just accept that very soon I won’t have eyesight, won’t be able to see my daughters grow up, won’t be able to see my husband or my own reflection in the mirror.

Now, more than a year after I started this quest, my eyesight (while still a long way from great) has improved significantly—something I’ve been told is impossible.  And I chalk this up to two things: a drastic change to my diet and the acupuncture/light therapy treatment provided by Dr. Rosenfarb.

While there is a lot of research and work to be done, I applaud everything Dr. Rosenfarb is doing to get his RP treatment protocol measured by Western medical standards—first through a small pilot study done in conjunction with Johns Hopkins University, now a larger study being funded by the NIH.

I’m not writing this blog as a journalist. I’m writing it as a patient on my own eyesight-healing quest. I know there are other acupuncturists who are working to treat eye diseases. I think that’s wonderful because, done right, I believe this is a valuable treatment option for many people struggling with RP. Rather than trying to tear down people like Dr. Rosenfarb who are doing everything in their power to share information and develop standard treatment protocols, I challenge everyone to join Dr. Rosenfarb in his efforts to get this treatment measured by Western medical standards so that insurance will begin covering this treatment for those of us who want to access it and are struggling to do so financially. I challenge everyone to work together to provide a broad network of acupuncturists committed to providing a standardized, measurable, affordable treatment that can be accessed by RP patents around the globe.

Please let’s all work together to share information and help the hundreds of thousands of people around the globe (me included) who are struggling with this devastating disease to save our eyesight.

 

Join the conversation!

The Battle Against Inflammation

Written By: ingridricks - Apr• 08•14

Fuselage_fire_2_307My new friend, Joseph, turned me on to this website. It’s called Deflame, and it’s packed with great information about the dangers of inflammation and ways to reduce inflammation in your body.

I know it’s hard to break eating habits and revamp diets. Believe me, I know. But there is so much research now about the correlation between the foods we eat and the inflammation in our bodies that we’re sticking our heads in the sand if we don’t pay attention. Because the other thing I’ve discovered is that inflammation feeds degenerative diseases—including Retinitis Pigmentosa.

I like (love) bread as much as the next person. But the fact is that flour, even if it’s whole grain and organic, it’s a serious pro-inflammatory. Sugar is too – it’s a toxin and wreaks havoc on our health. Then there’s processed foods and sodas, which are a bit like chugging down Clorox.

I’m putting this is writing to remind myself that I’ve got to stick with it. On days like today, I understand a little of what it must be like to be an alcoholic fighting the urge to drink. Just got to take it one day at a time.

 

 

 

Join the conversation!

Acupuncture RP Treatment Round 2 – TEST RESULTS

Written By: ingridricks - Mar• 21•14

happiness-within

I just wrapped up my weeklong treatment with Dr. Rosenfarb and have experienced more improvements, particularly in my mid-to-far horizontal and bottom periphery (I still have very little top peripheral vision).

I still have a donut of complete blindness around my central core– but it’s shrinking from the outside in. The goal that Dr. Rosenfarb and I have now set  is to concentrate on strengthening my central vision).  My visual acuity is now fantastic and I have expanded my core central visual field a little. But it still needs work.  I’m thrilled maintaining what I have. But if I can expand that some, even better.

Here are my test results to date — with today’s results included.  Happy Friday everyone. I’m heading off to catch my plane.

VISUAL ACUITY

Near Right Vision:

  • Before Treatment: 20/125
  • After Treatment: 20/50

March 2014 Testing 3 Months Later:

  • Before Treatment: 20/63
  • After Treatment: 20/50

Near left Vision

  • Before Treatment: 20/80
  • After Treatment: 20/50

March 2014 Testing 3 Months Later

  • Before Treatment: 20/63
  • After Treatment: 20/50

 Far-Sighted Vision:

  • Before Treatment: 20/40
  • After Treatment: 20/25

March 2014 Testing Three Months Later

  • Before Treatment: 20/30
  • After Treatment: 20/20

 

MANUAL VISUAL FIELD TESTS: RIGHT EYE

Right Eye Horizontal (central core)

  • Before Treatment: 0-2 degrees
  • After Treatment 0-6 degrees

March 2014Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-2 degrees
  • After treatmentL 0-9 degrees (with another opening between 12-27 degrees)

Right Eye Horizontal (far periphery)

  • Before Treatment: 50-80 degrees
  • After Treatment: 40 – 93 degrees

 March 2014 Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 40 – 80 degrees
  • After Treatment: 40 – 95 degrees

Top Right Eye (Vertical)

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-9 degrees

March 2014 Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-8 degrees

Bottom Right Eye (Vertical)

  • Before Treatment: 0-3 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-6 degrees

March 2014 Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-5 degrees

Bottom Right Eye Vertical (far periphery)

  • Before Treatment:  80 – 90 degrees
  • After Treatment 65 – 90 degrees

March 2014 Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 60- 100 degrees
  • After Treatment: 55 – 105 degrees

MANUAL VISUAL FIELD TESTS: LEFT EYE

Left Side Horizontal (central core)

  • Before Treatment: 0- 6 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-6 degrees

March 2014 Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-5 degrees (with another opening between 10 -20 degrees)

Left Side Horizontal (far periphery)  

  • Before Treatment 80-90 degrees
  • After Treatment: 70-95 degrees

March 2014 Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 65- 95 degrees
  • After Treatment: 40-95 degrees

Top Left Eye Vertical (central core)

  • Before Treatment: 0-6 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-6 degrees

March 2014 Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-3 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-6 degrees

Bottom Left Eye Vertical  (central core)

  • Before Treatment: 0-3 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-7 degrees

March 2014 Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-8 degrees

Bottom Left Eye Vertical (far periphery)

  • Before Treatment: 70-90 degrees
  • After Treatment: 60-90 degrees

March 2014 Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 65- 100 degrees
  • After Treatment: 52 – 100 degrees

 

OCTOPUSS 301 VISUAL FIELD TEST

 Note: This is a machine like the ones used by retinal specialists, only it stops at 30 degrees vs. 90 degrees.

Left Eye:

  • Before Treatment: I saw two dots flash
  • After Treatment: I saw nine dots flash

March 2014 Testing 3 Months Later

  • Before Treatment: I saw 5 dots flash
  • After Treatment: I saw 8 dots flash

 Right Eye:

  • Before Treatment: I saw three dots flash
  • After Treatment: I saw eight dots flash

March 2014 Testing Three months Laster

  • Before Treatment: I saw seven dots flash
  • After Treatment: I saw seven dots flash

 

COLOR CONTRAST

Note: This test measures ability to differentiate colors

  • Before Treatment: 6 out of 9 cards correct
  • After Treatment: 8 out of 9 cards correct

March 2014 Testing 3 months later

  • Before Treatment: 9 out of 9 cards correct
  • After Treatment: SAME

 

CONTRAST SENSITIVITY

Note: This test measures ability to pick up color as it fades

  • Before Treatment: I could identify 7 out of 8 lines
  • After treatment: I could identify ALL 8 lines

March 2014Testing 3 Months Later

  • Before Treatment: I could identify ALL 8 lines
  • After Treatment: SAME

 

 

 

Join the conversation!

Going it Together

Written By: ingridricks - Mar• 19•14

photo

The coolest, most unexpected part of my eyesight healing quest has been connecting with other people struggling with Retinitis Pigmentosa who — like me — refuse to take “no hope” for an answer.  And they all come with incredible family members who are equally determined to ensure that their loved ones  continue to SEE the world.

Last night, a group of us all headed to dinner. There was no stress about not being able to find the table or see the menu — because at least half of us were in the same boat, and the others stepped in to help, Several of us have been to Dr. Rosenfarb’s clinic for treatment before and it’s empowering to hear how the treatment has been benefitting them. Joe, who is in town for his second treatment session, even discussed how we might secure permanent housing here that would help offset lodging costs for patients traveling to New Jersey for treatment.

It’s a reminder of the exponential power of community. The only bummer part of this picture is that it’s missing Karen (Joe’s sister), who volunteered to take the picture.

 

Join the conversation!

Acupuncture Treatment Round 2 – Baseline Test Results

Written By: ingridricks - Mar• 17•14

iStock_000004226338Medium-2

I’m back in Westfield, New Jersey, for my second treatment session with Dr. Rosensfarb.  In the three months since my first treatment visit,  I don’t feel like I’ve had much of a chance to breathe. My schedule has been crazy because of  the nationwide launch of my memoir, Hippie Boy, which in turn has led to an expanded spotlight on the teen storytelling project I’m lucky enough to be involved, and nonstop requests to present at schools and organizations.

The reason all of this matters is because my adrenal glands were already shot before the craziness started and I was supposed to be relaxing and taking it easy these past three months. Given it all, I wondered if any of the improvements I’d obtained during my last treatment had stuck or if I would be starting from scratch. I definitely took a step backward in some areas– but held steady and even improved a little in others. All in all, I’m happy because I retained at least some of the improvements I gained in December. Below are my baseline test results from this morning – compared to my before & after test results from December.  I’ll post my “after treatment” test results this Friday.

VISUAL ACUITY

Near Right Vision:

  • Before Treatment: 20/125
  • After Treatment: 20/50

 Baseline Testing 3 Months Later:

  • Before Treatment: 20/63

Near left Vision

  • Before Treatment: 20/80
  • After Treatment: 20/50

Baseline Testing 3 Months Later

  • Before Treatment: 20/63

 Far Right Vision:

  • Before Treatment: 20/40
  • After Treatment: 20/25

 Baseline Testing Three Months Later

  • Before Treatment: 20/30

 Far Left Vision:

  • Before Treatment: 20/40
  • After Treatment: 20/25

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 20/30

 

MANUAL VISUAL FIELD TESTS: RIGHT EYE

Right Eye Horizontal (central core)

  • Before Treatment: 0-2 degrees
  • After Treatment 0-6 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-2 degrees

Right Eye Horizontal (far periphery)

  • Before Treatment: 50-80 degrees
  • After Treatment: 40 – 93 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 40 – 80 degrees

Top Right Eye (Vertical)

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-9 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees

Bottom Right Eye (Vertical)

  • Before Treatment: 0-3 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-6 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees

Bottom Right Eye Vertical (far periphery)

  • Before Treatment:  80 – 90 degrees
  • After Treatment 65 – 90 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 60- 100 degrees

MANUAL VISUAL FIELD TESTS: LEFT EYE

Left Side Horizontal (central core)

  • Before Treatment: 0- 6 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-6 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees

Left Side Horizontal (far periphery)  

  • Before Treatment 80-90 degrees
  • After Treatment: 70-95 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 65- 95 degrees

Top Left Eye Vertical (central core)

  • Before Treatment: 0-6 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-6 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-3 degrees

Bottom Left Eye Vertical  (central core)

  • Before Treatment: 0-3 degrees
  • After Treatment: 0-7 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 0-4 degrees

Bottom Left Eye Vertical (far periphery)

  • Before Treatment: 70-90 degrees
  • After Treatment: 60-90 degrees

 Baseline Testing 3 Months later

  • Before Treatment: 65- 100 degrees

 

OCTOPUSS 301 VISUAL FIELD TEST

 Note: This is a machine like the ones used by retinal specialists, only it stops at 30 degrees vs. 90 degrees.

Left Eye:

  • Before Treatment: I saw two dots flash
  • After Treatment: I saw nine dots flash

 Baseline Testing 3 Months Later

  • Before Treatment: I saw 5 dots flash

 Right Eye:

  • Before Treatment: I saw three dots flash
  • After Treatment: I saw eight dots flash

 Baseline Testing Three months Laster

  • Before Treatment: I saw seven dots flash

 

COLOR CONTRAST

Note: This test measures ability to differentiate colors

  • Before Treatment: 6 out of 9 cards correct
  • After Treatment: 8 out of 9 cards correct

 Baseline Testing 3 months later

  • Before Treatment: 9 out of 9 cards correct

 

CONTRAST SENSITIVITY

Note: This test measures ability to pick up color as it fades

  • Before Treatment: I could identify 7 out of 8 lines
  • After treatment: I could identify ALL 8 lines

 Baseline Testing 3 Months Later

  • Before Treatment: I could identify ALL 8 lines

 

 

 

Join the conversation!

Learning to See WHAT COUNTS

Written By: ingridricks - Mar• 13•14

Syd and Hannah pic 2Going blind sucks. So does walking into an eye doctor’s office for the first time in your life with trendy red cat-eye frames already picked out, only to be told that you’ve got a serious problem that no glasses — regardless of how good they look on you — are going to fix.

I was 37 when I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that first steals your night vision, then knocks out your peripheral vision, then usually takes what’s left. I should have guessed something was wrong when I sideswiped a car on the freeway after looking into the right lane and seeing nothing. But it was dark and raining, and I chalked it up to that. It wasn’t until I played racquetball with my husband a few weeks later and couldn’t see well enough to score a point that it occurred to me something wasn’t right. So, at my husband’s prodding, I agreed to get my vision checked.

Even after eye surgeons gazed into the back of my eyes and quietly informed me that what they saw resembled a rare degenerative eye disease, I wasn’t overly concerned. After all, I had gotten by fine until now and figured if I did have RP — which he admitted he wasn’t sure about — I was in the very beginning stages. But I knew it was serious when I saw a nurse whispering about me to the retina specialist my eye doctor had recommended, and then heard my name called ahead of a whole roomful of patients with scary-looking eye patches, walkers and canes.

Based on their behavior, I was suddenly convinced I had a brain tumor — a possibility I had uncovered during the countless Google searches I had done in the week since my first eye appointment. So I was initially relieved when the ancient-looking specialist announced that I had all the classic signs of RP. That is, until he told me that I was already legally blind, asked me how I’d ever managed to get by on such limited eyesight, chastised me for waiting so long to get my eyes checked, and then propped me up like a monkey, trained what felt like a car light on my inner eyeballs, forced my eyelids open and invited a string of residents to get an up-close look at an advanced case of RP.

“So what resources do you recommend?” I asked at the end of my torture session, rattling off the list of vision-enhancing nutritional supplements I’d found during my Internet searches. Given that he was the RP expert, I figured he would be a wealth of knowledge. Instead of counseling me on the best vitamin brands, he scribbled down the phone number to the Center for the Blind and shoved it into my hand.

“Here,” he said. “I’ve yet to discover a vitamin or anything else that’s made any real difference with RP. Medical help is at least 20 years out and it’s not likely to benefit you anyway. I’m sorry.”

“What about driving?” I pleaded, sucking in my breath like a 2-year-old.

“You seem like an intelligent woman,” he said, already turning toward the door. “What do you think?”

I spent the next week huddled in my basement sobbing. I mourned the vision I had lost, but mostly I cried because I was terrified about what awaited me. I cried out of fear I wouldn’t see my two daughters, barely 5 and 2, grow up. I cried about lost future candlelight dinners with my husband and about the burden I feared I would become to him. I cried because I couldn’t drive anymore and because I was scared I wouldn’t be able to work. I cried over lost sunsets and ocean views and any other beautiful scenery I would miss out on. I cried until finally it occurred to me that I could still see and that maybe, instead of mourning the unknown future, I should concentrate on Now.

It’s been seven years since I discovered that my tunnel-vision eyesight wasn’t merely a reflection of what friends have often joked is my tunnel-focused personality. In that time, my vision has shrunk from a 10-degree to 5-degree visual field — fueling a determined quest to halt the progression of the disease and preserve what precious eyesight I still have. Having concluded that the retina specialist was bad for my health, I’ve instead sought out every alternative treatment I can find. I’ve changed my diet, I down Chinese herbs, I undergo acupuncture, I ingest cocktails of vitamins, I stare into a color therapy lamp, I pump electrical micro currents into my eyes, and I try to do daily eye exercises.

In a world of fading vision, I’ve encountered plenty of things to avoid. They include coffee shops that allow dogs (one belly flop onto a hard cement floor amid a Saturday morning coffee crowd is enough), treadmills (flying off of one at six miles an hour hurts), stairs without rails, crowds, darkness and negative people.

But I’ve also discovered plenty to embrace. Every day I look at my two daughters, now 12 and 9, and soak in their amazing beauty, their smiles and their zest for life. I walk a lot, which means I’ve gotten to know my Seattle neighborhood and the neighbors in it, and I’m in good shape as a result. I eat better, have grown to love spinach and even have my 9-year-old daughter craving salmon and salad. I’ve learned to accept help from people who extend an arm when it’s dark, that I have a husband who doesn’t shy from adversity, and that living fully in the moment is the best defense against fear.

I’m still feeling my way around this world of semi-darkness. During an evening party a month ago, I spent an hour talking with a woman, only to introduce myself to her a few minutes after we had parted ways. The next night, after tucking my daughters into bed and making myself some tea, I went searching the house for my latest issue of the New Yorker. I rounded a dark corner too sharply, smashed into the divider wall, and cracked open my forehead — leaving an inch-long vertical gash extending mid-forehead to my eyebrow. My husband cleaned up the blood and cinched up the wound as tight as he could with a bandage, then warned me I might not want to look in the mirror.

Gazing at my reflection the other day, I found myself lamenting over the fact that the new scar on my face wasn’t going away. Then it occurred to me that the alternative was not seeing the scar at all.

That’s when I discovered something new to embrace. Because every time I see the scar, I’m reminded to stay vigilant about doing everything I can to save my remaining eyesight. But I’m also reminded to focus on what matters in life — my family, my friends, this moment. I try never to lose sight of that.

 

This essay appeared in Salon three years ago.  I wanted to share it with all of you because I think what this eye disease gives us all is the reminder every day to REALLY SEE what counts. Wishing you all an amazing day – Ingrid

 

 

Join the conversation!

Second RP/Acupuncture Trial Enrolling Participants

Written By: ingridricks - Mar• 07•14

acupunctureI just learned that Dr. Andy Rosenfarb and Dr. Ava Bittner will be kicking off their second clinical trial to measure the efficacy of treating Retinitis Pigmentosa with electro-acpuncture. The trial, based on the success of their initial RP/acupuncture study,  is scheduled to begin next month.

If you live near Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and have not yet been treated with acupuncture, you may be a perfect candidate for this trial.

The enrollment process is already underway so if you are interested, contact Dr. Andy Rosenfarb: acupunkk@aol.com  or Dr. Ava Bittner: abittner@nova.edu as soon as possible.

 

Join the conversation!

A Shift in Mindset

Written By: ingridricks - Feb• 22•14

Skiiing with the girls

Last year at around this time, I was holed up in a hotel room—sobbing over my latest doomed prognosis from a retinal specialist while my husband and two daughters bonded on the ski slopes.

This was our third family ski trip and like the others before it, I chose to sit it out, telling myself there was no way I could ski with only a few degrees of central vision and a strip of blurry vision in my outer periphery. I had only skied three or four times in my life and hadn’t been great at it when I had a panoramic view of the slopes. So how could I possibly think of doing it now?

Maybe it’s because my yearlong quest to save my eyesight has empowered me and made me realize that there is plenty I can do to save my remaining vision. Or maybe it’s just because I’m tired of missing out on family activities. Whatever it is, something clicked inside of me recently and I’ve decided I’m done letting my eyesight hold me back. Two days ago, I put on the winter gear, strapped on the downhill skis and hit the mountain. It was an admittedly rocky start—but not because of my eyesight.  I just couldn’t remember how to ski. Luckily my husband was patient and two days in, I’m now traversing my way down the slopes with the rest of them. It doesn’t matter that they’re faster. I’m doing it and we’re all having fun. My daughters both told me that watching me ski made them forget that I even have a vision problem.

The burger and beer in the lodge after a few hours on the mountain haven’t sucked either. Amazing what a change in mindset can do.

 

Join the conversation!