My Journey

Friday, February 27, 2015

Functional Leg Muscle Developed From Stem Cells

There are hundreds of individually-named skeletal muscles in the human body, each positioned in a specific place to allow the body to move in countless different ways. When muscles lose function due atrophy or injury, motor function decreases, and it can diminish an individual’s quality of life. A new paper published in EMBO Molecular Medicinedescribes a study that used stem cells to grow leg muscle tissue in a dish, which proved to be functional after it was grafted into a mouse. In the future, this technique could be applied to humans, providing tissue transplants to treat muscular dystrophy or a number of other muscle-related diseases.

Read more here:
http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/functional-leg-muscle-developed-stem-cells

Monday, February 23, 2015

People With Disabilities Can Easily Find Accessible Spots With This App...

This is a great APP! I am unable to take escalators and some stairs since I had my brain surgeries. I am always on the hunt for a workable elevator at the train station and other public spaces.

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Inspired by his own experiences, a filmmaker has created an app to help people with disabilities.

Jason Da Silva was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system, in 2006, and uses a motorized scooter to get around, according to Mashable. As a filmmaker based in New York City, he quickly discovered that it wasn't so easy for people with disabilities to maneuver around the city.

"It was very frustrating," Da Silva told Mashable back in 2013. "I was finding that the freedoms that I had -- just simple things like meeting up with friends and things, it was becoming more and more difficult."

Read more here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/22/axs-map_n_6721138.html?utm_hp_ref=technology&ir=Technology

Friday, February 20, 2015

My Journey: Living Abroad with a Chronic Illness...Firenze, It...

My Journey: Living Abroad with a Chronic Illness...Firenze, It...: Ponte Vecchio - my favorite bridge in Firenze...over by the 3 arches one can see both sides of River Arno I was sitting a few afternoon...

Living Abroad with a Chronic Illness...Firenze, Italy - Terza Parte!

Ponte Vecchio - my favorite bridge in Firenze...over by the 3 arches one can see both sides of River Arno

I was sitting a few afternoons ago enjoying a great cappuccino and tiramisu in La Cité Libreria Café when I suddenly realized it was Thursday and I had not even started my blog. I also realized in that moment that I was "living" and enjoying life here totally and completely! This was just too awesome!

Unfortunately, I had to hold off on my enthusiasm to write this Blog after already being tardy because I had been home bound for two days because of excessive pain along my shoulder and my entire right arm. My posture has really suffered due to my constant pain and I have been trying to correct it. But I am acutely aware that trying to fix my posture will not happen without even more pain. Today I am feeling better but my arm is stiff and sore. It's part of what I manage in my present life and yes even here in Italy. I must say though that I had a pretty good "run"... of escaping with only "normal" pain up to this point.
It is harder to be patient and wait for the pain to subside while I am here in Firenze (Florence). I just want to get outside every day but I know I must be patient because it can get worse if I push the limits.

My three bridge options to get to downtown Firenze are the Ponte Santa Trinita,the
Ponte alle Grazie and Ponte Vecchio.

My favorite by far is the Ponte Vecchio which means "Old Bridge". It is also known as the Bridge with Houses.
The bridge is said to have been built in Roman times and was destroyed by flood and was last rebuilt in 1345. It was the only bridge in Firenze that was not destroyed when the Germans retreated out of Firenze in World war two. It is believed that Hitler himself gave the directive not to destroy it. Some buildings on both ends of the bridge were damaged but were restored with old and new material and design.

This is the entry to the Ponte Vecchio..it's crowded on the weekends

I live on the left side of the River Arno and the Ponte Vecchio and downtown Firenze is to the right

The other day I was out on the square and saw a host of Asians dressed in ceremonial garb and they turned out to be Koreans promoting their upcoming Traditional Arts Festival. They made their way through the square to the Ponte Vecchio where they gathered and burst out in song!

Korean Group singing. They stand between two of the arches on the Ponte Vecchio

Steve and I went to LaCite Libreriacafe for a free dance lesson and to listen to a live band last week. Unfortunately we got there a little late and the lesson had already began but the live band was great! The dancing seem as if it would have been too much for me but it was great watching the guys and gals have fun. La Cite was recommended by our new friend Matt from Chicago. Matt is an App Developer who is also here in Firenze for his second extended stay.

Having Cappccino and Tiramisu at La Cité Café

Literally every square inch of Firenze has something interesting to see. The other day Steve and I were just wondering along one of the narrow streets close to the Ponte Vecchio and came across some unusual art. Creatures painted white with human bodies with heads of different creatures. Some were scaling the wall of the Hotel while others were suspended in the air.
It was commissioned by the Gallery Art Hotel and created by artist and architect
Simone D'Auria as a tribute to the city of Firenze to beautify the space.
The goal of the exhibit is to send a positive message and invitation to continue moving forward whatever the challenge maybe....to climb up...to be innovative and overcome one's limits!
Which beautifully sums up my reason for being here in Firenze!

Until next time, Ciao!!