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

Hello, everyone! Well, it’s that time of year again. This Sunday I will be joining NF, Inc. in Washington, DC  to represent individuals affected by NF and advocate for continued and increased federal funding of NF Research. A delegation of NF  representatives from organizations across the country,  will be visiting our Representatives and Senators. They will receive a packet of information describing our requests, and we would like to include personal stories from those who live with NF. We encourage you to send your personal story about how NF impacts you or your family, and how important federally funded research is to you. All stories will be hand delivered in Washington. Please include your name and address on your letter, and fax your letter to (630) 627-1117 or email to kbischoff@nfinc.org

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!

jptex: I said you are a pathologist….

Guest34: A pathologist of the speech kind haha

I wouldn’t work with dead people because its kind of hard to teach/evaluate their speech.

adgiant: Yea, they tend to mumble

jptex: You will love to come here and here us Texans talk

Guest34: Well I’m just here under guest

Is that so?

adgiant: Evere see 6th sense?

Guest34: Nah

adgiant: the kid saw dead people. I hear dead people. (more…)

Here is a link to past your draft letter

DRAFT Senate Support Letter

Dear friends,

I received this support letter template via email from our neurofibromatosis lobbyist in Washington, D.C. She asks that we distribute this letter to all our friends of NF so they can sent it to their congressperson in D.C. This letter is the result of our meetings earlier this year when I went to talk with the senators and Army people to continue funding for NF research. This is very important and I know everyone with NF will want to help. Thank you.

Reggie

Okay, this will remove the last barrier to 100 percent compliance with Sir Reggie’s command. Here is a website with names and addresses of all 100 Senators. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm – Bart Moore

The Honorable (Senator’s Name)

(Office Address)

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator (Name):

As someone closely touched by Neurofibromatosis (NF), I write to request your support for the Army’s Neurofibromatosis Research Program in the Fiscal 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations bill. The House of Representatives included $25 million for NF research as part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) for FY2010, and I write to encourage the Senate to also include $25 million for this program when the FY2010 Defense Appropriations bill is considered. Significant advances in NF research have been made, due in large part to the Army’s program, and leading researchers are now on the threshold of a treatment and a cure for this terrible disease. (more…)

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

Watch the interview that has all of Reggie’s blog talking as FOX News 26 interviews Reggie Bibbs. Damali Keith revisits Reggie to see how he has adjusted to life now that he has taken his disorder, neurofibromatosis, yo the public through his “Just Ask!” campaign.

There’s even an appearrance by Lou and some of his staff!

HERE’S THE INTERVIEW!!!

I hope this link works. if not, go to

http://www.myfoxhouston.com and search for Reggie Bibbs.

How can I begin to tell you how much fun I had yesterday at the International Festival. The day stated out very well with meeting people who have seen me before. There where happy to take photos with me. I was remembered from last year. The food was terrific music was great. All types of music. I enjoyed the country music of course.

The best part of the evening was music from the Neville Brothers. Arron Neville. I actually got to meet the Neville brothers. A very big thank you to the Neville brothers for taking time to meet and take photos with me. Also thanks to my friends who joined us, Matt Jones, “The Tall One” and William Hughes, “The Smart One.” I said man I would love to meet the Neville brothers. Matt said, “I bet I could make that happen.” Well, he did and you see the photos as proof. I have to tell all of you I had the best time ever.

SEE PHOTOS OF CONCERT AND BACKSTAGE

It would be a really good thing if we could get a group together and do what I have been doing for a year. I can promise you it will change how people feel about NF, and you will feel better that you did it. Whether you have nf1 or nf2, it is a great thing to let people get to know who we are. I would really like my friend, Brian, to go with me some time. I really think people are more understanding now. It seems to me that people expect me to be there. How cool is that?!! Next stop, the “Art Car Parade!”

Another amazing day out at Minute Maid Park! Lou and I went to the Astros game today. We had a great time. The game was great and the Astros won! It was really nice to see so many nice people. Like Brandon, who saw me on TV and came up to introduce himself. Thank you for doing that!

I saw Cathy Clark, who was my bus driver when I was in school. Lets just say it was over 25 years ago when I used to ride the bus to school.

Cathy remembered me by name. I was so happy when she told me she use to drive me to school. Cathy works at the concession stand in Section 409 of Minute Maid and, I got to tell you, I’ve never been treated with more love and respect than from that entire food area!

I think Cathy is a supervisor or some other type of important person because she was definitely in charge! What a great representative for the Houston Astros staff. Cathy, you made me feel so special and it means the world to me! Hope both you and Brandon will be a regular on my blog. Thank you both for making my day!

After the game, Lou and I went to the fabulous McKee Street Bridge and took some photos. WOW!!! What a beautiful bridge and park! Lou’s friend, Kirk Farris, had single-handedly transformed this bridge and bayou area into a place that is totally cool, beautiful and peaceful! It’s just a few blocks north of Minute Maid Park on McKee Street just south of I-10.

Of course, taking all those photos at Minute Maid and McKee Street made us pretty hungry and thirsty so we went to the new Porch Swing Pub at Washington and Waugh in The Heights for crawfish!!! Man, oh, man, were they good! Lou had beer. I had Coke.

It was a beautiful day!

Tonight was another great night at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!

I started out with the live stock show and all of the other fun things. Oh, my God! Did I enjoy the FOOD. Everything was to die for. Deep fried Oreos, steak burgers, foot-long sausage sandwiches, giant cinnamon rolls with lots of icing. But don’t take my word for it, check out the photos for yourself.

Click here to see photos from today!

I went to the Rodeo to see Martina McBride. She was great and the music was terrific! She really sang her heart out. She sang all of her best songs and the crowd loved it. Of course, so did I. Martina loves Houston and she looks forward to her show here every year.

I know why she loves Houston. I feel it every time I go out. So many people here have been so kind to me. I’m thankful to be in a great city like Houston. It made me feel so good when people I never met came up to be today and spoke kind words to me. You will see them in my photos. People like that are heroes to me!