Twice I have thought, “It’s an 800 number so it must be important from a business connection” and I attempted to answer it with a ‘Hello’. But there was only silence on the other end. I tried a couple of times to say ‘hello’ in case it is was a poor connection, then hung up. The next day the same thing had happened. After the third day, I had reached a point of action. What could I do about this?

So I conducted a web search of the 800 number and found that I am not the only one having this problem with this particular phone number. In fact many people are having the exact same problem and are worried that maybe someone is trying to ‘slam’ them when they don’t get a response from the other end of the line. There is fear that someone may be stealing your phone number and trying to use it elsewhere without your knowledge.

One commenter on a message board had a very good link to register with the National Do Not Call List. Although I had previously done this with our home phone, I was uncertain if I had done so with my cell, so I registered all three family phones. So I am going to STOP THE HARASSMENT NOW and share the opportunity with you.

Here it is the link Register for National Do Not Call List.

To this particular pestering predator I say “Don’t call me… and I won’t call you!”

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If you have been following me for any amount of time, you know how frustrated I am by the limited amount of information about Foreign Accent Syndrome. I had a bit of a breakthrough last week as friends and Tweets pointed me to a newer case that has been widely publicized regarding a lady in the UK suddenly speaking with a Chinese accented voice after suffering a migraine.

The BBC did a story, CNN and other news articles suddenly popped up all over the place. I really believe I know how she feels as she is tired of the novelty of the fact that she sounds different. I know what she means when she says that she want her “real” or “old” voice back. As a result, I sought to contact Sarah and have since connected. I look forward to speaking with her by phone sometime soon, but in the meantime we are in touch across the ocean and time zones via internet.

Then, there was a television program that aired on the Science Channel, but which we don’t have that broadcasting channel. The title of the episode is called “Secret Life of the Brain: Losing Myself.” (If you discover a link or another broadcasting please let me know in the comments).  Though I have not seen it, apparently, it touched on Foreign Accent Syndrome and raised a lot of interest from people who had never heard of it before. Twitter was alive with people who couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

Through those Tweets I discovered some new contacts, one of which is a French speaking writer of medical papers who writes “The Brain From Top to Bottom” (here is a link).  Those writings helped me learn even more about the brain and how it functions or dysfunctions.

With this sudden influx of interest maybe there will be some advances in the study and dissemination of scientific research. We can share in the hope of knowing that people are taking the matter seriously. We can share our struggles and insights to encourage one another. That would be an answer to the prayers of the few who are having to endure living with such a rare disorder that so profoundly affects their identity, that is  not easily explained and to which there is no accepted treatment or cure.

Since we have used the internet to shrink the world, maybe now it is time to use that same mode to make awareness larger in the world.

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ASIDE: By the way the votes for “What kind of accent do you think it is?” is leaning very heavily toward French and Swedish/Norwegian. One good friend has accused me of being a Russian spy. And one of my 4H dog club kids thinks I sound British like Victoria Stillwell of dog training fame.

BEFORE: To help those people who have never heard my “regular talking voice” here is a clip of me conducting an interview of an intercity ministry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JQjncoi9jc You will notice some hesitation in my speech as I am thinking of the questions off the cuff, but even a very untrained ear can tell I do not sound like the same person.

AFTER: Now… compare this to my most recent little clip from last night
http://www.tokbox.com/vm/b6ae3opqguin
You hear a very noticeable difference don’t you??
Friends, students and family are helping me to laugh about it, because if I don’t stay light-hearted enough it will make me want to cry.

THIS IS NOT ME!!
My regular voice is gone! Instead I am having to hear these weird accents coming out of my mouth. STILL, I am extremely thankful to have any voice at all. Can you imagine it?

I have had friends call me on the phone, and then just about hang up as they say “I’m sorry, I have gotten the wrong number.” I go into a quick “wait a minute! it is me, Ellen, don’t hang up!” Then I must give them some kind of fact that a stranger wouldn’t know, to convince them it is ME!! It IS me!!

It has now been a week and a half since the first numbness showed up, and almost as long that I have been speaking with a foreign accent. I sometimes get a bit down about the situation. No doctor has an answer about what is going on — we just don’t see any obvious signs of stroke or any bad tumor or anything on CT or MRI.

The speech therapist I saw on Wednesday was thinking maybe Bells Palsy, but some of the symptoms do not jive. I have just started finding something called “Foreign Accent Syndrome” mentioned on the web. So I will continue to research as I await my neurologist appt. on the 29th.

I praise God that He never gives us more than we can handle. I am being forced to
(1) speak funny OR (2) shut-up. Those of you who know my passion for communication (talking with people and about the Gospel) know which option of those two that I am taking.

Here are some things running through my head a lot lately:
“Be still — and KNOW — that I AM GOD!” –
We are fearfully and wonderfully made; tho’ this is scarey it IS facinating!
I must laugh because if I take it too seriously I will cry.
How much faith do I really have?
I choose to believe that God IS in control of even this.

What do you think about this? I REALLY want to know.
I am seeking any advice, ideas or answers anyone might have.

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My family and close friends know that I’ve been having greater word finding problems as well as poor decision making, memory, org. skills. Now it has escalated to include some other problems that I can’t ignore as being a flare up of Chronic Fatigue.

Yesterday, fatigue was horrible, severe headache and then 4:30ish numbness in lips and rt. side of face, stiffness in neck increased and went from just numbness/tingling thick feeling to sometimes burning.

This morning, I woke up to spreading of numbness down my rt arm.
RATS! God really wants my attention here I think.

I’ve just finished wrestling with myself to submit to God’s plan of not relying on my own understanding, which is clearly failing when decision making is so cruddy. I sought outside advise. It actually looks like I’m going to have to do the unthinkable and forego my fun plans for this glorious sunny day to plant and do gardening with my daughter. I was really looking forward to that more than you know. Instead wisdom says I need to go to ER.

I’m pretty bummed about that, but it is the “right” thing to do. I must be able to rule out stroke vs. just some kind of pinched or inflamed nerves. My family dr. said it’s up to me whether I go into ER or not! Thanks for no help there Doc. Seriously, he said he couldn’t diagnose over the phone, but nurse recommends that since its involving mental stuff, probably not just a pinched nerve. So she suggests I go ahead and go into the ER.

Other friend said better go in cuz no matter what, something is definitely wrong..

So I must forgo one of my favorite activities to go sit for hours in ER. Grrr!
Please pray for the situation. Tho’ I’m not happy about this, I can do nothing but what I believe to be right and trust that I am in God’s loving care no matter what.

My Title of this blog post is a great start off for a spiritual illustration that is brewing in my mind, but I am afraid that it will have to wait; I’m going to the ER now.

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We are again meeting from 6:30 – 8:30 on Thursday nights at the Marion County Fairgrounds in the 4H building or just outside of it on nicer days. We will have one day (MAY 14th) when we must meet elsewhere; otherwise we will routinely meet here until time to vacate for County Fair Preparation.

If you are joining us for Warren Waggers 4H Dog Club. There are a few things you should know.

1.) ENROLLMENT: This 4H Club is for children grades 3-12 who register for the dog project with 4H through the County Extension Office. However, you may enroll at your first club meeting up until the May 15th deadline. Also, children from neighboring county may join us as long as they enroll with Marion County 4H and do NOT show projects at another county fair.

2) CLASSES: All dog project kids must take part in the obedience aspect of the club. We also teach showmanship and dog agility which are also competitive at the county fair and if you chose, the Indiana State Fair. Also, we encourage each student to also sign up for the dog poster project. We are easily learning enough about dogs through the year as to make this an easy project for them to complete and compete.

3) ANIMAL CARE: Animals coming to club MUST BE CURRENT ON ALL OF THERE VACCINATIONS. There is a 4H Veterinarian form available at this link or may be obtained at club. NO ANIMAL MAY attend a club meeting without proof of current vaccinations. The completed designated form is required by the 4H organization and needs to be signed by your veterinarian. Any dog showing signs of illness, in “season”, showing signs of fleas or other physical disability should not come to club, however the child may attend without the animal during its recuperation so as to stay up to date on training sessions.

4) BEHAVIOR: The main objective of our club is to train obedience. Not that we leaders are training the animals. Rather, that we leaders teach the kids how to train their own animals. The 4Hers are to be the principle caretakers of the animals. They learn responsibility, animal care and training skills, and record keeping. They grow in confidence as “masters” of their animals. The animals develop skills of obedience and being a good canine citizen. It is a wonderful process to witness and be a part of.

5) REQUIRED FORMS:
a) 4H enrollment form and enrollment fee
b) Vet Form – http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/downloads/Dog/4H671W.pdf.
c) Marion County 4H Fair Dog Show pre-enrollment – Due June 15th
d) Indiana State 4H Dog Show Enrollment form (optional)
e) Dog Record Sheet

6) RESULTS: We have fun learning by doing!!
We have a new “pack” each year. Each 4Her and animal are a team. All 4Hers and their animals form a family unit “pack”. The parents usually stay and socialize with each other and participate with some of the club activities, and all of us together are THE WARREN WAGGERS 4H DOG CLUB!

If you need more information, just leave a comment with your email and I will contact you back.

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Today’s 4H offers Mini clubs for children who are not yet in the 3rd grade to learn even more simplified lessons while having fun in a structured, nurturing club setting. The total number of projects offered has skyrocketed over the almost 30 years since I was a 10 year 4H member. The offerings now include such things as collections, writing, personality, health, woodworking, woodcraft, computer, animal posters, wildlife, forestry, genealogy, bowling, gardening, clothing design, sewing, miscellaneous crafts, recycling, pottery, ceramics, electricity, and independent study projects. These are only some of the offerings. Chances are, if your child is interested in it, there is a project for them. If you have knowledge of it, there is a 4H leadership opportunity for you.

I was a farmer’s daughter and a former FFA member at my highschool. Besides taking part in animal projects, vet science, livestock judging, fine arts, soil judging, parliamentary procedure, sales demonstrations, speech, choir, wildlife management…etc, I developed skills of leadership, cooperation, community awareness and civic responsibility.

Now, that I am raising my daughter in the city, I got plugged into 4H anew as a leader. My first love is in leading a local 4H Dog Club. We offer obedience training which all members must participate in, then, optional Showmanship and Dog Agility. My husband and I have made most of the equipment, but are in need of obtaining more as our program advances. The parents of the kids in our club are ACTIVE participants. Together we are a family. Like a pack of dogs, we show one another respect, learn from each other and experience successes with one another. All the while the kids are learning that I am not there to train their dogs. We are there to help THEM to train their dogs. Even the most timid little child learns how to take charge, communicate clearly (even nonverbally) and grows in understanding and confidence. It truly is a wonderful thing.

Our particular dog club is open to any child grade 3 through age 18 at the beginning of the school year. They first register as a 4H member, pay a nominal membership fee, and sign up for as few or as many projects as they believe they please. There is the Dog Poster project available for even the child who may not own a dog, but want to learn and exhibit. Many materials are provided by the County Extension Office through trained and certified volunteers who schedule and lead meetings. There are also record sheets to be filled out to assure orderly organization and team the skill of record-keeping.

The 4H year culminates at the County and State Fairs where the project(s) of the child can be viewed by all. At the fair, projects receive ribbons and the appreciation of the general public. A sense of accomplishment is instilled in the growing minds of our communities children thanks to the program of 4H, the service of volunteers, involved parents and leaders, and the effort put forth to “make the best better”.

If you have questions regarding signing up a child in 4H or becoming a volunteer leader or resource assistant, please contact your local County Extension Office Agent and inquire. The number for your area is in the blue pages under county government or just search on the web for “County Extension Office AND (the name of your) County.”

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In 2004 we began to meet at the Marion County Fairgrounds and were therefore able to practice even when it rained. Club usually meets weekly and addresses the disciplines of obedience, showmanship and agility as well as general dog related education.

Parents of the children often stay for the 2 hours of instruction and learn right along side the rest of us. Educated parents then become a valuable tool in reinforcing the good habits that we learn at club.

The leaders are certified by the Marion County Extension Office as 4H Volunteers. Generally speaking the leaders are people who share a love for that special bond between an animal and child and are willing to nurture that through the 4H Dog Project Program. Recognizing the importance of good citizenship of both people and their animals, these volunteers come alongside and instruct the child, who then instructs the dog.

Together, leaders, children, parents and the dogs all become a “pack”; a tight family group. We learn and problem solve together. No one of us “knows it all”; but what we don’t know gives us the opportunity to find out together!

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