Sunday, February 5, 2012

This One is for YOU !

DON'T GET TIRED OF HEARING IT . . . .

It's not about me, but the many who suffer with some form of cardiovascular disease.  I will fight for you.  Can I count on your help? 

Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.

Most of the time heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.  For example, treatments include some prescription medications as well as cardiovascular activity and a low carbohydrate, healthy foods diet.

No, it doesn't mean surgery. . . don't get that messed up in your head.  Please don't skip regular be aware of risk factors and get regular check-ups.   I didn't want to hear that I was sick.  My condition could only be treated with a new heart.  I wanted to live.  AND I WANT YOU TO LIVE TOO.

Check out my itinerary . . . come see me.   ~Coach Chip

A Hearty Hobby and (Chore)

I am a Bermuda grass man myself :)

I am asked many times if I have any more games left in me or if I would want to come back to maintain the playing fields I once kept for the school system.  I am comfortable to say "no" to both questions.  I am perfectly content watching from the stands.  Sometimes we have to know when to say when.  Keep in mind I was in good health during my tenure in the school system.  I retired because it was t i m e after 32 years of dedication.

When I did coach, a part-time task was to take care of four playing fields by myself.  That's right-I said it.  Full-time after retirement until late June, 2010.   I couldn't let home be deprived because of the amount of time at the other four locations that I maintained.  I was proud of the accomplishments and the community began to notice as well as understand what went into this major task.

What do you think?


Me too. 

I enjoyed talking about grass and lawn care.  I would attend turfgrass meetings to stay abreast of the trade.  Many times I would call Field Managers for large colleges or universities.  It was obvious when I had someone on the other end of the phone that love what they did to keep the fields looking good for televised games.

It is time for you to put out the pre-emergence on the lawn.  This is necessary to stop the weeds from overtaking your lawn in the spring

~Coach Chip

Monday, January 30, 2012

COACH Chip's Itinerary - Follow Us




Grow into a community of supporters. 
Tell your friends, neighbors and help fight cardiovascular disease.


Itinerary:   Feb. 3    National Wear Red - support women in the fight
                             against heart disease

Book Signing and Speakng Engagements

        Feb. 4    Mable White Baptist Church   *Book Signing
        Feb. 4    Celebrations Event Cntr.  *Book Signing Launch Party*
        Feb. 7    Warner Robins Rotary Club  *Speaking/Book Signing
        Feb. 25  The Galleria Mall - Centerville
        Feb 26   Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church *Speaking/Book Signing
           Feb. 27  The International Optimist Club *Speaking/Book Signing
        Mar.  1   Mayor & Minister's Meeting
FOR MORE INFORMATION:  Call 478-396-8224

Thanks to all for helping to make a difference in the lives of the community, your congregation and your family.  I appreciate the oopportunity to join efforts to save lifes and share with anyone who understands the need to maintain a healthier lifestyle!   To contact me call 478*396*8224. 

~Coach Chip

Monday, January 23, 2012

Itinerary of Events

MORE TO COME . . .


I am looking forward to seeing you!  We will be Chip'n Away at Heart Disease somewhere near you.  February is Heart Awareness Month and I will be out (as usual) telling my story, stating the facts.  Your involvement can help to change somebody's life if not your own.  Take a chance on feeling better!  

We are on this planet together.  We might as well live together, laugh,watch some sports and enjoy good health . . ~Coach Chip
I T I N E R A R Y

Museum of Aviation, W. Robins                     Feb. 1  11:30 a.m.       

Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta       Feb,  2    7:30 a.m. to  9:30 p.m.        
Mable White Baptist Church, Macon            Feb.  4   7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.        
Celebrations Event Center, W. Robins       Feb.  4   4:00 p.m. to  8:00 p.m.  LAUNCH PARTY!!

Warner Robins Rotary Club, W. Robins        Feb.  7  12:00 p.m.                              
Union Grove Baptist Church                          Feb.  19 10:30a.m.                              
Business Conf. & Techno Expo, Macon        Feb.  23 & 24    All day                      
Galleria Mall, Centerville                               Feb.  5 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.       
Int’l City Optimist Club, W. Robins                Feb.  27   12:00                                
Mayor & Minister’s Meeting, W. Robins      March 1  11:45a.m.                       


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

February - Heart Awareness Month

FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES DEAR TO MY HEART

You can't put a monetary value on feeling well.  Anyone who has been ill even with a common cold can agree.  Because I felt the way that I did, I considered it was normal until the struggle to breathe worsened.


What would you do with a God-given second chance?  My "calling" in life is to share my story and remind the ill that anything is possible.  The thing I find most often with people is they don't have time to hear the impact this has on the body and on a family.  I wrote on my facebook page that when someone sees me shopping for groceries, or at a basketball game they have no idea of the extreme care I still must take with my health.  It is an assumption that well "he don't need nothin'!"

A new game plan has been developed.  Chapter by chapter I am taking the strategy of X's and O's to explain risk factors associated with heart disease wherever I can.  Not just in February or at special events.  You should see me at Kroger!  Though I am not a doctor, many doctors haven't been where I have.  Certainly I  direct anyone to find a healthcare professional to improve their condition.
Itinerary: Feb. 1    Museum of Aviation
                 Feb. 2    Morehouse School of Medicine
                 Feb. 2    Mayor & Ministers Mtg.
                 Feb. 3    National Wear Red - support women in the fight
                             against heart disease
                 Feb. 4    Mable White Baptist Church
                 Feb. 4    *Book Signing Launch Party*
                 Feb. 7    Warner Robins Rotary Club
                 Feb. 25   The Galleria Mall - Centerville
                       Feb. 27  The International Optimist Club

Hopefully I will hear from the colleges and universities in response to my request to give back to the medical community by sharing my personal experience.  They can hear the story, ask me any questions oh yeah,  buy my book "A Second Chance" arriving January 31. 

~Coach Chip

Thursday, January 12, 2012

I'm Rolling Right Along

Most people thought I cared mostly about the win/loss column in the record books.  Like me or not, it is my fair and by-the-book work ethics that gave many something to talk about.  "Relax.  Not everybody has the same work ethic or think like you do," my wife would warn.  

With the blessing of another chance in life, I have learned that I have the same passion when it comes to being able to help people.  Whether they are struggling with heart disease or  interested in learning first hand about heart disease and transplantation as it pertained.  
 
I keep rolling right along researching various topics and reading medical advances since my episode that can help to save lives.  Also I am calling on churches, college nursing/medical programs and organizations that may give me an opportunity to share my story.   

A wealth of knowledge & assistance                                               St. Joseph's nurses provide ultimate ;  
from the transplant coordinators.                                                  care to patients.  Thanks Brooke!
Thanks Tracy and Denise.                   

Even though I "talk heart" and heart-related topics it doesn't mean I can't identify with anyone facing or who have faced a major illness.  I am extremely happy to look into the eyes of an overcomer and listen to the story of another survivor. 
   
Drs. Miller and Jensen take a photo with other
heart transplant and LVAD survivors.  9/11








A CHANGE OF H E A R T

Fourteen months since "the call."

At the time this picture was taken I was five months old  from the transplanted heart.  The baby in the group as we had dinner at Mary Macs in Atlanta. 


We (Cynthia & I) were flanked by some wonderful survivors-- other heart recipients that had some similar symptoms and vastly different experiences.  It was a good time.



A change of heart does happen.  Now I wear a red bracelet with the words "A Second Chance."  Not only is that the name of my upcoming publication, but I present a bracelet to any individual that I hear has been given a second chance in life.  They may have survived cancer, a heart attack, or a car accident.  This is exclusive to the folks that can say they are  able to look into the faces of loved ones after a battle to live and know how priceless that blessing really is. 

But let's remember this touches the lives of the donor family as well.   A common denominator is found love/over/ love.  God loves us immensely and I can't begin to tell you how or why he makes His divine decisions.  I can only remember my wife saying. . . God is faithful."  "It is not as it appears and we will know this when He is ready to let us know."  

I have in me a good heart-- a gift.  The name still unknown; along with hobbies, likes and dislikes.  What I do know is that this hero or "shero" is God's child and He will never fail them.  Wherever their mansion is, He has sent angels to bless us both.  

~  Coach Chip 
P.S. Ever write something and hope it is conveying what you feel?