"I Wish To Be A Comic Book Creator."

Luke knew what it meant to be a superhero before he ever saw Spider-Man, The Hulk or Wolverine. Born with a heart defect, Luke underwent open-heart surgery when he was only five days old. His doctors estimated a mere 20 percent chance of survival, but Luke’s extraordinary strength helped him overcome the odds. Three years later, he faced another opponent when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Luke rose to the challenge, spending three years in chemotherapy that zapped his cancer into remission.

While in the hospital for chemotherapy, Luke turned to comic books for entertainment as well as inspiration. His courageous spirit was continuously revived as he read about valiant superheroes. Luke tapped his creativity during his hospital stays, thinking up stories and sketching comic book characters.

Luke stands in the shadow of the mammoth wall showcasing many of the Marvel Comics characters.

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Middle Tennessee offered to grant Luke’s one true wish, he had no trouble naming his wish: to create his own original comic book, have it published and share it with others. "I wanted to help kids understand they shouldn't be scared of doctors," Luke said.

Wish granters sent Luke, his brother and their parents to New York to visit the Marvel Comics headquarters. At Marvel, Luke worked with professional comic artist Ryan Dunlavey to bring his ideas to life. Luke showed Ryan his sketches; together they developed the characters and storyline for the comic book.

Luke’s comic book features an invincible superhero doctor named Dr. Shrink and his sidekick Super Shot, a boy with cancer. Luke says he modeled the sidekick character after his younger brother, Josh. Dr. Shrink and Super Shot team up to defeat an evil monster called The Virus. This villain draws his power from sick people and tries to stop them from getting the treatment they need.

Together, Ryan and Luke created the original comic book Super Shot. Luke hopes that other children will read Super Shot and be inspired by the superheroes’ courage and strength – just as Luke drew inspiration from superheroes during his long stays in the hospital. He wants kids to understand that doctors are not trying to hurt them, but to save them from their illness. Luke wants kids to take on the positive, determined attitude of Super Shot: “I might be sick,” he says, “but life’s not over, and I’ll never stop fighting!”

http://www.wish.org/stories/hitech/professional/luke_comic_book_creator

Delta Gamma Making a Difference

Delta Gamma, Kappa Chapter, hosted a philanthropic event called Anchor Splash. Anchor Splash is a major fundraiser of the Delta Gamma collegians. It is one of the most well recognized philanthropic fundraisers in the Greek world today. The event consisted of swimming relays, synchronized swimming, and a diving competition. Funds from this event support Delta Gamma's philanthropies; Service for Sight. To lead up to the event, Delta Gamma sold "do good" t-shirts and held a "Most Beautiful Eyes" competition. Over 200 people attended Anchor Splash and the $5,000 in proceeds went to aid to the blind. Go DG!

Special Olympic Athletes Show Off Their Dance Moves

Art by ME! :)

Check out my Facebook page if you'd like to see more work and for more information on placing an order!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-by-Emily-German/112163995478270?ref=ts

Unified Teams Making Unified Friends

(Lincoln, Neb.) With the addition of flag football to the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, Payton LaCivita took the opportunity to volunteer his time and talent by joining the Arizona unified flag football team.

As a “unified partner”, LaCivita, a college student at Arizona State, is just as much as part of the team as his teammates with intellectual disabilities.

LaCivita said, “Three years ago my high school coach asked me to come and help out with these guys. I volunteered then and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

The unified sports program started with an idea called “Project UNIFY”. According to the Special Olympics website, Project UNIFY’s goal is to “activate young people to develop strong communities where all young people are agents of change-fostering respect, dignity, and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities by utilizing programs and initiatives of Special Olympics.”

The program creates special bonds among teammates. In the case of Marc Whatley, a 30-year old athlete from Tucson, Arizona, he has found a friend in LaCivita. Both are athletes. Both love football. Both had smiles reflecting on their win. It’s their similarities that bond them verses their differences.

Dustin Plunkett tells his story of survival and the importance of health screenings at the Games

(Lincoln, Neb.) Six years ago Dustin Plunkett didn’t know he had gum cancer. As a Special Olympics athlete, Dustin went to a Special Smiles screening, a program that provides dental checks to people with intellectual disabilities. The volunteer screener noticed Dustin’s teeth were in bad condition and urged him to see a local dentist. With his coach by his side, Dustin sought professional help. After surgery and routine check-ups, Dustin is now cancer free.

“If I would have waited two months longer,” Dustin said, “it would have spread everywhere, and I wouldn’t be here today.”

Dustin Plunkett kicked off the Young Athletes Demonstration Monday morning at the Pershing Center. Dustin is a passionate and professional speaker with an inspiring story of cancer survival.

Dustin was chosen one of 12 International Global Messengers for the Worldwide Special Olympics. With this opportunity, he has traveled as far as China to speak to 100,000 people with NBA star, Yoa Ming. Dustin is humbled to have been selected as an IGM, but quickly says that he is first and foremost an athlete. Although he is not participating in the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, he is excited to begin training for his events when he competes in Southern California.

When asked about his favorite event, golf, Dustin said, “It teaches me patience. If you have a bad shot, you’ve got to forget about it and just move on. That’s what helps me in my everyday life and my job.”

Chairman of Special Olympics, Tim Shriver stated, “Special Olympics is not only in the business of sport, it is in the business of changing lives.” And that is just what it did for Dustin Plunkett.

Finger In The Nose

Okay, how cute is this?! And the French brand name, "Finger In The Nose" is all too appropriate. "Finger In The Nose" is perfect for emerging mini-fashionistas with their rock n' roll attitude and laid back style.