Christine Webb (SM)
   Henderson, NV USA

   Syringomyelia Rep & Admin
   

  
SM & CM Network: America - Canada
SM Information for the newly diagnosed
Doctor's Corner - Giggles - Disability Corner
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Charlie Milne was born & raised near Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada.  Growing up on a horse ranch was her life. She has received numerous honors for her outstanding achievements such as the Nova Scotia Womens Progress of Excellence Awards; she was a 'poster child' for an Easter Seals Campaign; Maritime Appaloosa Horse Club Queen 1980, and she won several National High Point Awards with both her Appaloosa's and Quarter Horse's, achieving the honor of showing at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 18. She not only was a Professional Performance Horse Trainer (at the young age of 16), but a Coach, Judge, Breeder and Serious Show Rider as well.  Horses were always in her life until the accident took that away in 1999.  

Digital photography is a relatively new passion for Charlie but loves the escape it gives her to celebrate life by taking in all the beauty that surrounds us and capturing it forever.

It's been 5 years since Charlie met Carion online and they are extremely happy with the outcome of the effort they put into making it all happen. "Don't just stop and smell the roses, but allow yourself to be captured inside and bloom with them". Ms. Charlie Milne

Nancy 
Woodstock, ON Canada

Nancy is an amazing person, friend, and a true inspiration and motivation in helping to encourage Carion to start our support systems, she met Carion through Facebook which they emailed each other, sharing stories, and trying to support each other when the support wasn’t there. Our support system developed as a result of the friendship between Carion and Nancy. She is a special lady, and we thank her for friendship and support. 

Jette
Facebook, admin
Ontario, Canada

David McCauley
Welcoming Angel
Hollywood, Maryland USA

I've been married for 40 years to the same wonderful woman.  I have a grown Son and four precious Grandkids (3 girls and 1 boy).  I live near the Chesapeake Bay and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  I participated in some kind of organized sport from a boy, until I was in my 40's.

I've had SM symptoms since 1997, but I was not properly diagnosed until 2010.  I went through a "boat load" of Doctors during that 13 years of "pain limbo".  I finally found that Neurologist who knew what he was looking at.  I have an 8cm Syrinx extending from C7 toT2 level.  I also have a second smaller Syrinx and a Cyst formation at the T2 level.  With seven disc bulges, annular tear, and some bilaterally neuroforaminal narrowing.  All of this was a language I didn't understand, until 2010.  In January 2011, I underwent Laminectomy and Duraplasty surgery at the National Institute of Health (NIH).  I suffered some complications with the surgical wound ("Patch" was leaking spinal fluid) and I returned for a second procedure in March 2011.  Since December 2010, I've been a participant in the NIH "research project" for SM/CM. 

I retired with a pension from the State of Maryland in 1998, after 25 years in Law Enforcement.  Although my decision to retire then was health related, I was eligible for (after 20 years) and I took a normal retirement.  In 2002, I started a second career as the Chief of Security for a large Corporation.  Our business was power plants and the company owned and operated plants across the United States.  I loved the job, but I was forced to retire on disability in 2010.  My condition had progressed to the point that I could no longer work.

I'm a fighter and I refuse to give in to this condition without an all-out war against it.  I find it comforting to share my journey and theirs with others fighting the same battle.