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| I recently spent a pretty cool night hanging out with you guys and gals in cyber space.
I want you to know that I have never met Ashton but I hope to someday. Even though I have never met him I am changed by his story. (Stop it Jenkins) His story will not end here. He has 7+ years of surgery ahead of him & a lifetime of being special. It is not going to be easy. I think most of us will forget about this little guy after some time. Let's not let that happen. I think most of you in the chat room that night felt it or have sometime in your life wanted to make a difference. Here's our chance. I have started something called "THE Piganator Challunge" which is nothing more than a bunch of guys getting together and just talking, fishing, learning, and getting to know other "NUTS" I would like to expand this. We have it started in Cave Run and the "Piganator" will be on hand.
What I would like to do is organize 1 big 4 - 5 day outing at the end of the year on a BIG well known or not so well known water that can handle 20+ guys fishing. If a bunch of us band together and work on this we can get donations to make it happen. I think we can get a resort to donate lodging and many other companies to donate food etc...
We then will charge each person approx. $250.00 a person for food, 4 nights lodging, prizes, contests, seminars by Sponge on how to eat a payday etc... If I can get some of you guys to help organize it would be great! This can be a yearly traveling event and could be much better than a tournament, university, school, PHD or camp.
If we can get 40 guys a year x $250.00 that's $10,000 a year to help Ashton out.
I think I have a sponsoring resort...just need help.
Perhaps a new name of: The "Just Fish IT" Outing.
Let me know what you think.
[email protected]
763-227-7653
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| Hey Steve,
Sounds like a Great Plan. Will it be formed for an event this year or next. Will it also be scheduled around the Musky Tournaments Like P.M.T.T. & Muskies Inc? Let's talk I also have some big hitters starting to get involved with a non profit orginazation call Future Angler's of America that we could also help raise money for. Count My Family In.
Keep Up the Great Work Guys I almost lost my son Two Years Ago You will all be Rewarded at The End. There Priceless
Jeff Miller | |
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| Steve- I'm in!!! I have 3 year old Grandson w/ same problem (Double bi-lateral cleft). I've seen what Jason's going to go through. It's not easy for the family. They do start to talk- but takes time & patience. Very frustrating for him because he can't understand why everyone else can't understand what he's saying. He just had tubes put in both ears (second time) was totally deaf in left ear- 5 minutes after waking up from anesthesia, "Papa! I hear in both ears" [:bigsmile:] [:bigsmile:] [:bigsmile:] [:bigsmile:] [:bigsmile:]
You're right we shouldn't let Ashton slip into the MF archives.
Al
icantplayfindmyfoot.com
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| What happened to Ashton anyways? Sorry I wasn't here the day in the chat. Its cool you guys are trying to help him out. | |
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| 14 hope this helps.....
The future muskie fisherman is a little boy named Ashton. Ashton was born with a double bi-lateral cleft palate; he will have a minimum of 8 surgeries over the next 7 years. He will not be able to speak until he is 7 or so, and will not get his 'hard palate' until that time. Ashton has one of the more serious forms of the birth defect, but it is fairly correctable with extensive plastic surgery.
And the following is a update post written by Ashton's Gramma.
Ashton had his first surgery on Thursday, January 17th at 7:30 A.M. He was in surgery for three long hours. They put his lip together (no easy feat-it was a lot more involved than just sewing it together), sewed his nostrils the way they should have been and attached his nose to his gum line as it should have been. The surgeons then put tubes in his ears after sucking a lot of fluid from his middle ear. He looks terrific, albeit stitches around his nostrils and middle upper lip. But I must say, I miss how he was, that was the face I originally loved and will miss his wide smile!! He looks like a regular little boy now, and is even more handsome than he was. His arms are in little restraints, to keep him from damaging any of the work the surgeons did. And I must say he does not like them!!
His first couple of days home were very hard for us all, as he was very inconsolable and cried almost constantly, until he exhausted himself and went to sleep. Then a friend mentioned something in passing to me and I in turn mentioned it to my daughter. When her son had gotten tubes in his ears, he kept them covered and told everyone to quit shouting. So we turned the lights low, kept our voices down, muted as many household sounds as we could, and low and behold, he quieted down. My "Little Trooper" has lived in a muffled world for his first 3 1/2 months and was in sensory overload, he's not used to hearing every little sound. Now he is adjusting slowly and everyone is getting happier again. Occassionally he even graces us with his new smile, and what a nice smile it is to see.
Today he is back in Madison for his first post-operative exam, and I am waiting patiently to hear from my daughter about how it went. Next week they have to go back again, and we'll see where this goes from there. Hopefully they will take his little arm restraints off then. Let him enjoy his new found freedoms!!!
He still has other problems, but we are coping with them. He is allergic to any fabrics that are not 100% cotton, and finding him clothes is a chore. That and he is only 3 1/2 months old and is already wearing 12 month old clothes. He is one tall drink of water!
His next surgery is in October 2002. At that time the surgeons will build him a soft palate. I don't know what that will all entail, but I will keep you posted on his continued progress. Again thank you for all the prayers, donations and continued support. We don't know what we would have done without it and thankfully we didn't have too. What a GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE YOU TRULY ARE!!!
From the Bottoms of Our Heart Thank You All! []
Sincerely,
Ashton Janka aka "Little Trooper"
Layla Janka aka "Little Trooper's Big Sister"
Teresa Janka aka "My Daughter"
Jared Janka aka "My Son-in-Law"
Jody Holbrook aka "Muskiegoddess" aka "Grandma"[]
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| How about a early to Mid-November outting somewhere in N.WI? The resorts lower their rates, but most are still open. And if its Vilas/Oneida counties, there are MANY lakes to choose from day to day, therefore no crowding on any single lake. I don't know if I could do four full days, maybe a Thursday night to Sunday afternoon deal, but lets see if we can make this happen. Fishing for a good cause, sounds better than the usual reasons to fish (escape work, wife, family, etc).
Slamr | |
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| Lets go someplace were we can get some fish. Like Canada or Minn. [:bigsmile:] | |
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| I like TECK's idea. Big water in the fall? | |
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| A lot of us can't get our butts down there to fish but I am sure we can help out with items for the prize table to be drawn and help reward the anglers who participate in such an event.[:sun:] | |
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| Steve-
Can't guarantee that I'd make the Challunge but I'd be willing to help out with setting stuff up. Let me know what I can do.
Scott | |
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| I knew somehow there was a purpose in my life...showing others how to unwrap a candy bar must be it! No more staying up late at night wondering...my mission is clear![;)] Keep us updated....I'll do what I can to make it![:sun:] | |
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| I would like to also, depending on the length of the trip. Will have to see. It's definitley a great idea steve.
We need to do the auction too, once or twice a year also.
Steve, you da man![:halo:] | |
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| Sounds like a great plan, hopefully I would be able to make it. Al[:bigsmile:] | |
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| Great idea! I'd much rather get into this than pay the $100 - $300 entry fee to some tournament again. At least this money goes to something worthwhile.
If you big name boys don't mind me crashing your party, I'm in. If there's any help you need in organizing, let me know.
Buddy | |
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| Steve-
Where does this family live?? I would be willing to let the parents stay at our house in Madison next time they have to come down for surgery. We have plenty of room for them.
Can you pass this information on and let me know how to get a hold of them and pass along the invite??
Cory | |
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QUESTION FOR AUCTION GUYS & GALS?