KCAT CAN: Giving the deaf the chance to hear again

Giving the deaf the chance to hear
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
December 10, 2012

As most of you know, Med-el is my cochlear implant provider. But it isn’t just a brand of a hearing device. Having it also means having a whole company that supports you. When I decided to choose Med-el a few months before I had the implant in 2007, I felt that I did not only enter another dramatic change in my life, but more than that, I was welcomed to an additional family, the Med-el family.

A couple of days ago, I attended the 15th anniversary of Med-el. We were so lucky that it has an office in the Philippines to help people with hearing impairment to be able to hear life once again.

KCAT CAN: Bringing Christmas Back

Bringing back Christmas
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
November 26, 2012

Somewhere in the City of Mandaluyong is an area impassable to any vehicle.

Our neighborhood located at M. Vasquez Street is not as attractive as the other communities. There are a lot of small houses here that are cramped together. Within the area is a small compound called Green Years Apartment or GYA. This is where my friends and I have lived since we were young.

Paskuhan sa OWWA 2012: Share & Donate

This was from my friend Jen Arellano.. Read on:

From Jen Arellano:

Christmas is one of the most awaited day of the year for every Christians aside from celebrating the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ , this is also the time to extend our hand to our fellows who are in need. Its the time of giving, sharing and reaching out.

Hindi lahat ng nasa abroad mayayaman, hindi po lahat magaganda ang naging kapalaran at katatayuan. Maaring 'pag narinig nating OFW ang unang pumapasok sa isip ng ay dollar, chocolates, gadgets, out of the country at kung ano-ano pang mga material things but on the other face its different. Nakakalungkot pong isipin pero may mga kababayan tayo na hindi naging maganda ang kapalaran sa paghahanap ng magandang kinabukasan for their families. May iba sa kanila inutang pa ang mga ginamit na pera para makapangibang bansa, ang iba naman ipinagpalit ang mga trabaho sa Pilipinas sa pagnanasang kumita ng mas malaki at mapaganda ang buhay ng kanilang pamilya.

A GYA Christmas: Excited kids are excited!

Photo from my instagram

3 days after we announced about the upcoming GYA Christmas, 100+ excited kids already registered.. Let's make these kids happy on December 24!

A GYA Christmas for the children:

Care. Share. Donate.

Your blood can help Joshua Esteras in his fight against the big C

I got this from Ate Jamie's wall in Facebook. Originally posted by Gelsie-Julianna Riel Tacata.. ·Read on.

My dear friends,

Joshua Esteras, 15-year old, is in need of a blood transfusion. He's confined at the Philippine Children's Hospital in Quezon Ave., QC.

Below is his message. If I can only ask 5 minutes of your time guys. Please read. :)

I used to be an average 15 year old guy who has many goals and dreams in life. I love hanging out with my buds, play mindless hours of video games and play some awesome musical instruments. On a fateful February 11, I was diagnosed with ALL cancer

Just saying..

"...Now that I have fully accepted everything about my condition and have regained my strength, I am able to enjoy everything I do, even waiting in line. I do get bored when I really have nothing to do, who doesn’t anyway? Especially when there is no internet connection and I can’t check my Facebook, Twitter or browse the web. But I always made sure to find something to do and to keep myself occupied. I really don’t like being idle, for me it is really a waste of time. I would rather do something totally nonsense than doing nothing at all." (Me? Bored? Far from it!)

Besides, who likes boredom anyway?

But most people would often complain whenever they had loads of things to do and deadlines to meet. And then complain again when they have nothing to do again.

"I really like it when I am busy and have a lot of things I need to do and deadlines to finish. I would often get confused with what I should start first and end up doing everything all at once, which is really confusing and stressful that can lead to a seizure; but luckily, I am already able to control it. I just need to do some breathing exercises once in a while and stretch my arms. In my mind, I say, “Thank you Lord”, not because He prevented me from having a seizure, but because I thank Him for the things that I am busy with. Doing so much work means I am doing a lot, that I CAN, and being given a couple of tasks means many people trust me and rely on what I am doing."  (Me? Bored? Far from it!)

Some may complain that it is easier said than done, but it’s not really the case. Yes, life is hard, but doing the things that you can is not really that hard. It all depends on you and your attitude." (Leading an extraordinary life.)

*image from google

A GYA Christmas for the children: Care. Share. Donate.

When we were kids, my friends and I along with the other kids in our street, would always look forward to Christmas celebration the whole day of December 24 – a day full of games and a party at night.

GYA  Christmas Party 1994

KCAT CAN: Leading an extraordinary life

Leading an extraordinary life
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
November 12, 2012

It really does feel great whenever people tell me that I have touched their lives and influenced them in one way or another. Actually, I am not really doing anything greater other than enjoying my life and living it the way I want it.

I accept whatever life gives me despite the odds and enjoy whatever comes out from it. Some may complain that it is easier said than done, but it’s not really the case. Yes, life is hard, but doing the things that you can is not really that hard. It all depends on you and your attitude.

October Festivities

October 5

Merienda with my longest closest bestest friends (Daisy & Michelle) though sila lang ang kumain dahil kakatapos ko lang..

October 16

New Found NF Friend who in the same street as I am.. Jonalyn.

October 19

Minor Surgery on Talitha's birthday. The party surgery was held at PGH-FMAB (the new building for outpatients) which was done by, of course my neurosurgeon, Dr. Willy Lopez. Yes, it's a super minor and small surgery than can be performed by another doctor (at a cheaper price), but I want my doctor to do it because I'm more at ease with him.. We just need to raise raise raise funds.. and thank you for your continuous support :)

The very small, but very very very terrible tumor under my right toe finger

The processing of papers was actually longer than the duration of the surgery..

 

 

Ready. Get set. Go.

KCAT CAN: Cheerful givers

Of course I wasn't the one who discovered and started celebrating birthdays though outreach and gift-giving, but whenever I learned that one of my friends would do as such, I would always feel giddy and have a feeling of satisfaction because somebody, who is just a common person like me, is doing the same thing I have been doing – sharing my blessings on my special day.

You really don’t need to be rich or be a public figure in order to share and help by organizing an outreach project, right? Like what my friend Jen always say, “It’s not how much you give, but the love you put in giving.”

Erratum: The photo was from last month's event

with the Street Kids of DBS, not Grace Be Born.

The cheerful givers
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
October 29, 2012

A few days ago, I took part in Kathleen Madula and Coe Tolosa’s 2nd Birthday Project in Don Bosco School (DBS) with a couple of streetkids. Kathleen and I were schoolmates at DBS and we share a passion for reaching out to those in need.

Five Stitches

Looks can be deceiving, you know. It's not painful, not at all. Because suddenly it's magic. Haha

It's like magic!

After only 2 days.. The pain is gone!

It's super duper AMAZING!

Up until last night, there's pain, although it's just like the feeling of having a regular fresh wound. Makirot. It's hurts to stand still even for just a few seconds, and it's painful every time I took a step.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS!

...because prayers move mountains

Minor Surgery on Talitha's birthday

October 19, around 4 p.m.

After less than 30 minutes (though it seemed like less than 20 minutes)

Minor Surgery Today

Excision of this small tumor today at 4pm

I'm actually quite excited with this surgery. Haha. Seriously, because this small lump really really really hurts when bumped or pressed. As in I cry every time. It was just as small as a mung bean before, and then it grew a little bit bigger like the size of an orange seed.. It grew a little bit bigger now and it hurts a couple of times a day and affects the 4 innocent toe fingers beside it. :( I really really really really want it to be removed. As in.

Of course I'm not scared and I CAN make it but that doesn't mean I don't need your prayers anymore.. Pray for me, okay? ☺

P.S.

Happy Birthday Talitha!

KCAT CAN: BFFs in NFF

BFFs in NFF
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
October 15, 2012

Here’s a tumor. This also. This. This,” said Dr. Willy Lopez, my neurosurgeon, while pointing to the tumors in my brain from the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. “You have a disorder called Neurofibromatosis,” he finally told us. It is such a long and tongue-twisting word that I often forget what the abbreviation NF stands for.

Neurofibromatosis is a neurological disorder that causes benign tumors to grow on nerves. These affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and skin. It can be inherited or it can happen because of a mutation in genes. And once you have it, you can pass it along to your children.

Neurofibromatosis on Pinoy MD (October 13, 2012)

Neurofibromatosis is a neurological disorder and causes benign tumors to grow on nerves that can affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves and skin. It can be inherited or it can happen because of a mutation in genes. And once you have it, you can pass it along to your children.

NF can be classified as Type 1, Type 2 or Schwannomatosis.

People with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) develop varying numbers of bumps and spots that grow along the nerves or underneath the skin.

Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) is a rare type of NF in wherein multiple tumors grow on the cranial and spinal cord.

Please watch Pinoy MD on GMA tomorrow

My mom and I had a brief interview for a case study on Neurofibromatosis this week and it will be aired tomorrow morning.

Please watch PINOY MD tomorrow, October 13,

on GMA7 at 6:00am 

Be aware of Neurofibromatosis (NF). Watch.

KCAT CAN: Our Best Friend's Wedding

Our best friend's wedding
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
October 1, 2012

I am so blessed because all of the close friends that I knew from when I was growing up are still the same people whom I call friends.

The lyrics “For good times and bad times, I'll be on your side forever more. That's what friends are for,” exactly describe the friends that I have. They grow in number but none of them ever left and empty their spot in my heart. And among these best people in my life are my longest and closest best friends Michelle and Daisy.

Blissful September

The month of September was full of celebrations and I can foresee that there will be a lot more happenings and celebration in the coming months until this year ends..

✿✿✿
September 3

Because it's Talitha's holiday from work.. ;P 

 

 

In the evening, there was a surprise birthday celebration for Mother Banix, Tita Ate Bel, prepared by Kariz, Kayze Batching and Kathreen (even though she's currently in Japan).. Of course, the GYA peeps were the visitors and not to forget the Tamagochi Katren Banix who is always present.

 

 

 

✿✿✿
September 6

Janna MOMO's birthday at Momo Cafe. She had a super momolicious birthday dinner with (Congressman/Security Guard) Dong, Kariz, Kayze, Michelle, Talitha & me.

Good Luck Teacher Michelle!

My longest closet bestest friend Michelle. Will be taking the LET (Licensure Examinations for Teachers) Board Exam tomorrow.. Please, please, please include her in your prayers.. Thanks!

With Teacher Michelle - my very beautiful (sabi niya!) BFF-Ê (BestFriend Forever & Ever)
during Daisy's wedding (Daisy is our other longest closest bestest friend).

Be a blessing. Share. Give. Reach out.

This October, my angel in the dessert friend, Jen Arellano is coming home for a vacation. And this year, she is planning to hold an outreach program for the kids of Lingap Pangarap ng mga Paslit Center (LPPC Inc.) in her hometown, Batangas City - which she does whenever she comes home.

Do you want to be a channel of blessing? 

Then this is one way for you to be :)

JOIN US on our GIFT GIVING (October) FEST

Kathleen's Birthday Project

Last year, my schoolmate in DBS, Kathleen Madula, had her first successful birthday project at Grace Be Born foundation.

Kathleen writes:
"I wanted to do something more than I did last year. With all the blessings that the Lord has given me, it’s just right to give back some love. With many charity institutions in the Philippines, listed in WikiPedia and not, I can’t decide what to pick. I narrowed down to somewhere close to my heart. In the end, I choose the Street Kids of DBS. Don Bosco School (DBS) is where I attended school half of my educational years (elementary & high school days) so these sisters are somehow responsible on who I am today."

Visit her blog, share & support :)

Send her an email at me@kathmadula.com

Lailane has Leukemia and she needs our help (RIP Ate Lailane)

Below is the letter of my friend, Manong Joel, about his sister in need of our help:

 

I am very well adjusted with my own discomforts for so long now as a physically handicap, because it is my life. I never complained or even asked my Creator about it, coz I know I am here to find the answer. I know that my seemingly lifeless life as handicap is already a life to live on its own, but now I feel somehow very helpless not because of my physical disability, but just knowing that my sibling Lailane Tangunan Bonilla is suffering spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally and financially because of her condition. I’ve been into something like connecting the sick people to those people who are can be of help in any way through old I blog I used to do and spreading, reposting the blog of my friend’s blog of cancer patients just to find help, but I never thought and imagine that one day in my life that I would write a story about my dear eldest sister who is now sick of leukemia and pushing my wheels hurriedly to bridge her life in my own little way. 

KCAT CAN: ‘Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good people?’

‘Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good people?’
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
September 17, 2012

It was early in May when someone sent me a message on Facebook and asked me if I could re-post on my wall about a baby who was in urgent need of blood donations. I obliged and I got to know Baby Yvan Calimlim.

KCAT CAN: Me? Bored? Far from it!

Me? Bored? Far from it!
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
September 3, 2012

I bet you get easily bored most of the time.”

Someone said these words to me after telling her my story that I am deaf and immobile.

I told her I am not and asked why did she think so?  She told me that it’s because I’m sick and the things I can do are limited, so it must be boring.

I politely disagreed and explained my “I can’t, but I CAN” outlook in life.

She doubted my words so I asked her to browse my website and know the “possible” in the word “impossible”.