Neurofibromatosis Cafe A place to talk, have fun and share.

Lou and I went to the rodeo tonight and had an incredible night! The highlight of the evening happened rather early like within the first 15 minutes. Lou noticed a nice lady next to us with a baby and she looked like she needed to smile. So Lou started talking with her and before I know it, she’s asks me if I want to hold her baby. I was so honored and so proud and so appreciative of the unconditional trust that she had in me.

Michelle Hickman, you made my day today! Thank you so very much!

Lou took…like, over 120 photos so click below to see all of the new friends we made tonight. And, also, a special “Thank you!” to the soldiers from Fort Hood that were at the rodeo tonight. You are a credit to our nation!

I salute you!

PHOTOS

I got the surprise of my life today. Well it shouldn’t have surprised me. Sugar Ray has always been a supporter of my work in JUST ASK.  Sugar Ray wrote me.  He said, he needs a new Just Ask t-shirt, so he can continue to wear my shirt and help spread awareness of neurofibromatosis when he travels to other countries.  This is great to have someone as famous as Sugar Ray Leonard to be involved with making a difference in the  JUST ASK! campaign.  Sugar Ray always ends his notes by calling me the Champ. Sugar Ray is the real Champ!

Thank you Sugar Ray.

The University Of Texas, Health Science Center, is in the process of conducting Rapamycin clinical trials, to treat NF patients with tumors on the body.  I’m happy to say that I’m one of those being treated.  I feel hopeful as well as others members in my family. My mother and sisters are happy to take part in this study.  Second day in the study, and looking forward to what I believe will be a huge step in finding a cure for NF.   I also plan to give updates on any improvements I see on my tumors.

Anyone needing information about taking part in the study, stay tuned. I will have more information on who to contact in Houston, for The Rapamycin Therapy.

OCT 16, 2009

HEY REGGIE HOW ARE THINGS GOING? I’M IN LONDON HEADING BACK HOME AND I FORGOT TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS MY HONOR TO WEAR MY DEAR FRIEND’S T SHIRT! I LOVE YA MAN BUT YOU NEED TO SEND ME ANOTHER T SHIRT TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT YOUR CAUSE CHAMP! ALL THE BEST! SUGAR RAY LEONARD

Guess who is wearing one of my JUST ASK! t-shirts?

You probably already know from the photo you see here. Yes my friend Sugar Ray Leonard. I was so happy when Ray ordered one of my t-shirts. He told me he would be proud to send me a picture of himself wearing my shirt. He kept his word and I have the pictures to prove it. I have known Ray for a long time and he is always supporting my in everything I have done. Imagine someone as famous as him supporting my efforts in NF awareness. He’ll always be the “Champ” in my eyes!

Vote for Reggie Bibbs to host SXSW panel on neurofibromatosis!!!

Reggie has been nominated to host a panel for next years SXSW Conference. His topic: Becoming An Inspiration – One Pixel At A Time.If you all could visit the site and vote, that would be terrific! If you could vote AND leave a comment! http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/view/2339

Reggie,

there I was, back in my home town for the PA HOG Rally.  Nothing to do with farm animals, HOG stands for Harley Owner’s Group.  The rally was a bit of a let down, compared to some we have attended over the years, but being back home was great.

Thought you might want to see my small effort to get the word out in Western PA.

Your friend,
Ed Olsavicky

A friend of mine and Reggie’s, Jason McElweenie, submitted Reggie’s name to host a panel for next years SXSW: Becoming An Inspiration – One Pixel At A Time http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/view/2339

The description is as follows:

Reggie Bibbs has been on a one man crusade to raise awareness for neurofibromatosis (NF) come listen to him tell his story and help you and your organization turn your clients and friends into raving fans for your company or group

Here’s where we need your help: This is a 3 step process. A panel is submitted and then placed in the PanelPicker where the public comments and votes on it. After the voting and commenting is done a group of SXSW insiders vote on which ones they like and the board at SXSW also votes on which one they like. If the public comments and votes a lot for this one we have a chance of swaying the other two parts of the in our favor so now we have to promote, promote, promote.

I hope this can further raise awareness for Reggie and NF, speaking to a crowd of early adopters can do nothing but help raise awareness. If this panel is selected I say we plan a sort of media blitz to make Reggie the unsung hero or face of the 2010 SXSW conference. First thing we need to do for Reggie is get him on Twitter I have registered his name http://www.twitter.com/reggiebibbs.

Can you send the PanelPicker link above to everyone you know and ask them to not only comment but also vote for the panel?

This would be an incredible experience for Reggie as well as a great boost to his mission to spread the word about neurofibromatosis.

If you could take a few minutes to help, it would mean the world to me and Reggie!

Thank you,

Lou

Texas has been lobbying since 1997 to ensure that NF research continues to make progress. Since that time, over 200 million has been contributed to NF research programs. Within the last few years, research funds have steadily been decreasing. However, today I am proud to announce that they are “back up!” The House Appropriations Committee just ruled that another 25 million will go towards the 2010 Department of Defense NF Research program. This is a tremendous victory since last years projects only collected 10 million. That’s a 250% increase!
Thanks to all of you for writing your Representatives, It worked! And thanks to Reggie Bibbs, Sandra and Emily Parker, Dr. Slopis and Dr. Moore for taking the time to personally visit Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.
HOWEVER – The 25 MILLION IS NOT SECURED – YET. We still need YOUR HELP to SECURE THESE FUNDS! Please email, or better yet, hand write and fax a personal letter asking that our Senate approve the House Appropriations proposal of 25 million towards NF research. Thanks again, together we are making a difference!

Senator John Cornyn FAX: (202) 228 – 2856
Compose an online letter to Sen. Cornyn
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison FAX: (202) 224-0776
Compose an online letter to Sen. Hutchison

Another nite at Lou’s.  Last night steak nite,  became Music and Pizza nite.  It was quite different from our regular Thursday nite.  All of the guy’s though it would be a good idea to work on our  music and eat pizza.  Mark Sansoucy new to the Reggie Bibbs Orchestra, alone with the regulars William Hughes,Matt Jones, and Supporters Geo Austin  and Lou Congelio.  Our friend  wrote a song that  we loved. Mark was  inspired by JUST ASK, to write a song. The name of the song?   JUST ASK. You will enjoy it as much as I do, I’m sure of that. We hope to have the photos and videos  on the blog soon.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the idea. And I know I can look forward to terrific comments of the music.

Download Lyrics to “Just Ask!”

Watch the video.

Just Ask (A Song for Reggie Bibbs)
Music and Lyrics by Mark Sansoucy

Just ask
Just ask
And I’ll tell you all you want to know
Just ask
Just ask
All you have to do is say Hello

I see people staring at me in restaurants
When I’m hanging out with my good friends
Yes, they see the way I look
And they get a little spooked
But that’s because they don’t know what I have

So, just ask
Just ask
And I’ll tell you all you want to know
Just ask
Just ask
All you have to do is say Hello

Pull your chair on up and come on over
I don’t bite, but sometimes my friends do.
Yes, we like to clown around
When we hit the town
But just like you they stepped on up and asked

So, just ask
Just ask
And I’ll tell you all you want to know
Just ask
Just ask
All you have to do is say Hello

Living a life like mine it isn’t easy
Sometimes I don’t want to leave my house
But I can’t live in fear
For those who hold me dear
Cause they know it’s what’s inside that really counts

So, just ask
Just ask
And I’ll tell you all you want to know
Just ask
Just ask
All you have to do is say Hello
All you have to do is say Hello

PHOTOS

12:16am (CST) 5/8/09 Late tired and going to bed. Tomorrow Matt and I will hit the radio waves.
Matt owns a few radio stations and he wants me to go on the radio with him.  I also will be meeting with Gillian Andersons mom tomorrow. She Told Debbi she wanted to take me to lunch. Debbi said everyone wants to meet
you. We are making a difference. I will check back if you write me back. I have a computer in the room. This is me most awesome home I have seen. I will have photos so don’t worry.

9am (CST) 5/8/09  – Reggie just called in and he’s having a great time in Grand Rapids, Michigan. So far this morning, he has been interviewed on four radio stations in the

10:39 am (CST) 5/10/09 – Lunch with Rosemary Anderson. In the photo of Rosemary and me, you will see Grace, Debbie and Matt’s daughter. Rosemary said it was ok to post our picture. She is a wonderful lady.

Citadel Broadcasting network:

WKLQ-FM (Grey & Kluck Show)
WLAV-FM (Kevin Matthews Show)
WTNR-FM (Scrubs in the Morning)
WHTS-FM (The Todd Chance Show)

Reggie’s Interview on WLAV-FM

Reggie’s Video Presentation to Group

Neurofibromatosis Support Group of West Michigan

Gillian Anderson Website