We Asked, You Answered: What You Have to be Thankful For

We’re on the cusp of the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, and for many of us that means family traditions of turkey, family gatherings, and football. It may also provide people with an opportunity to ponder and reflect what they are thankful for. We asked members of the extended Scleroderma Foundation community that question, and here are their responses.

Nancy Baldwin of Westmont, Illinois, said she is very thankful for her family, friends, and faith. “I am also thankful to my friends who helped me get through my ordeal (a stem cell transplant), and my scleroderma support group.”

Elaine Schwager, a member of the New England Chapter Board of Directors, said she is thankful to be alive and for everyone in her life.

Cindy Nolen, of Wisconsin, who serves on the Foundation’s national board, said she is thankful for the Foundation and everybody she has met.

Natalie Murdolo

Natalie Murdolo, of New Jersey, who helped organize one of 11 Tri-State "Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma" walks this year, said she is thankful that she has scleroderma. “While it affects me, there are others who are much more physically challenged than I am. I am grateful I can be of help to them and am thankful for the health that I do have.”

Christina Thrailkill, the Miami, Florida support group leader, she is thankful for her family, and the kindness and generosity of her friends. “I am also thankful for being part of the Scleroderma Foundation, and very thankful I have become involved with my group.”

Bonnie Handmacher of Minnesota is grateful she can get out bed each morning. A person living with diffuse scleroderma, Handmacher realizes she is fortunate to have solely hand involvement at the moment, allowing her to work two full-time jobs.

Barb Heenan, the support group leader in Omaha, Nebraska, said she is thankful for her husband, and her support group, “Without whom, I am nothing.”

Shannon Abert, the West Houston support group leader, said she is thankful for not only her family and friends she can call upon any time, but also Dr. Maureen Mayes, and the research she is performing on scleroderma. She is thankful she lives in the south, “where it is warm in the winter.”

Lee Roy Jones, the Minnesota Chapter president and a member of the Scleroderma Foundation Board of Directors, said he his thankful that his wife, Bonnie, who has scleroderma, is feeling much better than she did a year ago. He added that he is grateful that his family is doing well.

Bob Rich, the support group leader in Ventura County, California, and a person with diffuse scleroderma, said he is thankful that he can still play golf occasionally, despite major hand involvement. He is also thankful that he can give back to fellow people who also have scleroderma.

From all of us at the Scleroderma Foundation, we wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.