Stronger Every Day

We have a saying in our house. We talk about "the age of independence". And yes, there are some eyerolls from our kids, but we push them to do stuff for themselves.

A rare event. A solar eclipse in the United States. Where was Tess on that day, and what was she doing?

You're busy. Sometimes you think about how busy you were a year ago and think wistfully--man, that wasn't busy at all compared to now! But in spite of this busyness, there's something that's required from all Hao-Fountain patients. If you need to donate to our biorepository because you haven't yet, email me here: bo [dot] bigelow [at] gmail.com. Buzzy - personal vibrating ice pack for easier shots for kids. Order on Amazon here.

I always tell you I got more questions than answers. But this week, I've come up with an answer. And it's helping me every single day.

Student-athlete Tess. She's been on a team this winter through her school, and we've just come off a massive, colossal celebration of the whole shebang.

Sometimes when you're on the road, your plans go out the window. You have only a fraction of the stuff you need. But something unexpected comes up. And you have to MacGyver a solution.

Tess has this thing. It's not a superpower, but a way of seeing the world. The best way to describe it comes from a movie from 1982.

Tess has developed a new habit. It's about her breathing. And it seems like she may be trying to tell us something. If you're from the Hao-Fountain community and you see behaviors that you're working to address, give me a shout: bo.bigelow@gmail.com

If you're like me, you're bombarded these days with articles all about the importance of regularly getting good sleep. My wife and I would do this if we could. But instead, we have children.

I have aged. Since the last time we were together, I've passed the half-century mark. And I have a few thoughts for ya.

Come spend a day on a snowy peak here in Maine. Come watch our Tess as she puts on her ski coat and hits the slopes once again.

We're basketball fanatics in our house. And when I say we, I'm including Tess.

Psst! Hey. You. Yeah. I'm talking to you. Can you help me? Here's where to send folks to donate: usp7.org/donate

Seven men. On foot over 183 miles total. Nearly 300 kilometers. Deep in the heart of Texas. This marathon was to raise money for Hao-Fountain research. Thanks to all of you who've generously supported us so far. In case you haven't had a chance to donate yet, here's where you can do that: https://bit.ly/3vGHHIy

An invitation from across the Atlantic. And a return after many years to a city west of here. The city where it all began.

The bedroom of your teenage child. It's a refuge. Sacred territory. Never to be breached, unless specifically invited inside.

Our sweet Tess returns to the emergency room, for the THIRD time in a month.

Our sweet Tess returns to the emergency room, for the second time in a month. The latest in a long line of medical mysteries involving our girl.

What's a word you'd pretty much never use to describe Tess?

You're familiar with Sam-I-Am, probably. Tess definitely is. But there's a new book on our shelf that has become her favorite.