A personal journey & thanks
A year of challenges and a lifetime of thanks
A personal message-
In my lifetime I've been told what I couldn't do, by doctors more then what I should try to do. Never once in my type 1 diabetic journey did any doctor say, "Well Deb what's see what you can do." it has been a rewarding challenge to push myself past stereotypes and limitations. For that I am grateful. Many people have helped me see & believe in my potential, and Id like to thank them for that. From my K9 days in detection with the PA OAG/BNI to 9/11 Where I held 2 rallies/fundraiser's in order to give Officer Dave Lim a new trained explosives detection dog with the help & support my trainer & friend Mark Rispoli @ Makor K9, Officer Lim's partner "Sirius" was the only K9 killed in the NY city attacks on 9/11, A day I will never forget. The Fire service as a firefighter/EMT later paramedic, and especially my Chief "Chip Chipazzi who always challenged me because he believed in me more than I did myself.
With gratitude for believing in me, & helping me in this beautiful journey
With my sincerest gratitude & love Thank you to:
My God & savior most especially because when they told my mom I'd be dead by 20, he has given me almost 50 years with this disease, and many opportunities I thought I'd never have.
My husband Scott who has been beside me to build this dream, help me thru my amputation and other setbacks,& my sons, Chris & Brandon as well as my mini me granddaughter Brooke they all have helped me with work, or marketing or plain old chores and handling reindeer.
My mom, Toni Barbich & sister Michelle Ritzel who always help my family's 2 legged and 4 legged ones without question or hesitation.
My father-in-law Dan Apthorp who enjoys the animals on his frequent farm visits
Emma Woods Cusson my fearless friend, get through the hard SH*T with friend who has courage & strength to tell me like it is.
Tracy Snowman & her husband Scott my call me anytime buddy, the 2 most talented artists Ive ever met.
Cassandra Hoover my positivity personal life coach & we've got PA covered buddy who always answers my numerous calls saying "hello beautiful" she taught me to not speak negatively about myself no matter what life throws at you.
Cindy Murdoch my voice of reason & support and diabetic care guardian. She has been the 1st reindeer friend I met at a New York conference.
Karen McCue my sister from another mother, a beautiful soul who never turns her back on ANY animal as well as a amazing art professional.
Kyle Wilson my mentor & leader with integrity & value
Dave & Danny Aldrich my voices of experience & wisdom
Steve Pulera my "I have a question" go to person with his awesome partner Colleen Vana
Carol Borton My health question "bounce this off you" go to friend
Dr. Greg Finstad my "Ive got a tough question for you" friend and former UAF RRP professor
John Cusson my "Ive got a great reindeer for you" who saved me from being done in the reindeer business in 2014 when a parasite wiped out 3/4 of my herd in 1 year.
Sue & Billy and Nick Ledbetter for selling me the very best Rudy ever and my son's 2nd mom on our cross country road-trip stop
Diana Frieling my CA best dog rescuer & reindeer mom
Denise Hardy for running a Facebook page to network and starting RFA with our peers also my personal hero
Nick Marrow a brilliant up-in-coming vet & amazing young man who helped me undo a walking on lead mistake I made
Bill & Janet Roark amazing friends who take us to the best food place
Doctors Ginger Pelc, Kathryn Hamilton, Ainsley Strong, Danielle Myzk, Missy Shypulski, Sheila Imbur, Isaac Bott, Heather Palm, Bob Bell, Mike Cary- for without all of you this wouldn't be a reality
and all our reindeer babies past and present
I know I cant list the 100's of folks I've become friends and acquiescence s through RFA, and their Facebook page, you all know who you are, whether you have helped me or I have helped you, Thank you
through my struggles and hurdles my family & special reindeer friends have been the best. through my good & dark days you have all kept me going in many ways talks, cards, visits & calls. My dream has come true, and I am very blessed