Friday, May 10, 2024

SUPER MOM TO THE RESCUE!

Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact. We’re searching for one extraordinary mama to win $20,000, be featured in Woman's World magazine, and jet off to Palm Springs, CA, for a well-deserved weekend getaway. Colossal has raised over $2.6 million through the Super Mom Competition benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals®. We take great pride in our collaboration with this incredible organization and share in their vision to Change Kids Health, Change the Future.

So I entered the SUPER MOM contest; to continue sharing my story with my son Nicholas-Liam and the importance of work safety - as it does wear & tear on your body immediately as well as years later. My neck and my baby will tell you so!

So my entry?


What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

That I get to teach and raise my son to become the best he can, and wants to be - together with my husband, equally. And witness everything new & exciting again in Nicholas-Liam's eyes.

What is one memory of your kids that you will never forget?

His first anishinaabe (mini) smudging ceremony for good luck to him and I while we were healing in the hospital. Coincidentally on his "supposed to be birthday" as he came early from his due date.

What would you do with $20,000?

- His RESP that I contribute to monthly 
- Cultural aspects of his mixed ethnicity and heritage - modern Polish/Ukraine and Grenadian as well as traditional Anishinaabe 
- And starting funds for a house of our very own!

My husband, firstborn son, stepdaughter and I would love a beautiful fresh start in a first home from winning this prize. Being able to speak on behalf of mixed intercultural relationships (as well as ours started as long distance successfully) as well as being a non-status civilian living on reserve in Woman's World Magazine would be an honor beyond appreciation. And showing my son when he is older how our contest entry raised donations for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® would be such a great memory for him. I owe my family alot and this contest is a chance to show them just how hard I am willing to work and care for them. I love them.

I'd appreciate if everyone could give a VOTE! All it takes is a free click or a donation. Pear Bear and I would greatly appreciate it! COPY & PASTE THIS LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER TO USE https://thesupermom.org/2024/jessica-brown-12

Monday, September 18, 2023

Sometimes in Life..


Events happen that you don't or can't completely plan for. Sometimes in Life you meet people that keep you going in hard times. Or circumstances that are completely unfair have to be struggled through. Sometimes in Life you have to let others know about your life experiences; if not to thank them or humble them but to warn or educate them.

It's funny how something so small as shoulder pain can be perceived as so many different things. In mid August I thought all we needed were new pillows (granted we DO need new pillows.) and so I ignored it knowing we were due for our family vacation soon - which included the Fall Fair and lots of shopping.

Aug 24th 2023

I developed pain not only in both my shoulders but a "pins & needles" kind of numbness down to my elbows. The feeling when one of your limbs fall asleep? Imagine it consistently not going away for almost 36hrs..

Aug 25th 2023

By 1:30pm not only was I struggling to walk straight or keep my own weight up but the "pins & needles" feeling had started in my legs down to my feet - along with my shoulders and hands still.
I'd like to apologize to the employees of Dryden Walmart that got concerned thinking my water was about to break and the kind Greeter who offered me her chair

By 3:00pm my legs gave out. I stood up from a bed and went back down onto it and was thankful Jeremy was there to catch me.
By 4:00pm I couldn't even hold a pen properly to sign my name on the paperwork at Dryden Regional Health Center.

Aug 26th 2023

Both my sides were numb up to my arms (thankfully I could still feel the little pear sized bear) adding onto the list including my legs, feet, arms and hands.

Aug 27th 2023

I was transferred to Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in my first helicopter ride. Not the way I wanted my first to go... but I must admit it was still incredible wicked! Next time I hope not to be strapped down and numb though.
Thank you SO much to the nurses at Dryden Regional and the Ornge helicopter ambulance drivers. You all showed me great care and concern - and shared confusion. And I hope if ever any of you read this that you know we figured it out, Nicholas-Liam is fine and I am working towards being okay.

Sometimes in Life.. the hardest working people get screwed over.. the people who smile the most struggle to stay strong.. and unfortunately events happen that will hopefully open someone's eyes to the necessity of health and safety, for one's personal present and future self.

Around the same time as having my wisdom teeth removed a few years ago I pinched a nerve in my neck. Doctor's said it was caused by my labor intensive jobs. Fast forward to now and that pinched nerve developed into 4 spinal disks crushing in on each other (for those needs who are curious my C4 and 5 and my C6 and 7) there was also some bone fragments and tissue needing to be removed.

This was NOT because of any weight gain or pregnancy weight gain (before you bother trying to trigger me with your opinion about it.) Medical professionals have assessed me and told me themselves that it was very bad luck & bad timing. Or in this case maybe bad luck but good timing.. Or what I get for being such a hard worker.. It could have been I agitated it by trying to stretch when I first had my shoulder pain. It could have happened while I gave birth or shortly after. It could have not happened until years from now.

Aug 29th 2023

For those who actually paid attention to his due date, yes Nicholas-Liam came early by c-section so that I could prepare for spinal chord surgery two days later. 
To the 1CU and doctors at Thunder Bay Regional I owe you so much! Thank you for keeping me positive and being the most supportive amazing people I've ever met! I tried my hardest to give you all the respect and positivity you deserve because its not your fault that a scared confused expecting mother showed up on your doorstep to deal with. Nicholas and I will forever be grateful to the care you gave us!

Aug 31st 2023

Ever wonder what's in your neck? A doorway to your spine apparently! Bye bye old bones and loose bits and hello to another addition to my bionic body collection! For those who forget my left foot is half metal now a chunk of my spine is too! Thank you SO much Neurosurgeons of Thunder Bay Regional!

Unfortunately my left arm did not come out of surgery unscathed - which sucks being left handed. I have (hopefully temporary) neuropathy in both my hands and feet and my left arm is very weak. BUT I can feel all my ligaments again!

My new home is a neck brace for 3 months and full recover 1 year on top of recovering from the c section simultaneously. My neck muscles will also need rehab physiotherapy once the brace is off because I won't have turned or tilted it for realistically almost 4 months. 

Before you grab your devices to contact me.. Nicholas-Liam is fine and I am on track to recovering fine.

I wanted to explain this so that one other person in the world will question when they have shoulder or neck pain. I wanted to explain this so that one other person decides to lift heavy objects properly with their knees, back, a cart or stool or with a partner at their workplace. I wanted to explain this so that one other person that gets injured either at work or in their personal life does not get scared or bullied into not getting it checked out - that they don't just shrug it off because they need to work hard and make money to survive.

If I could go back in time every injury I got while working over the past 3 years I would have taken the courage, time and money to have checked out. I wouldn't of just touched out my pinched nerve hoping it healed right on its own. I wouldn't of just paid for a knee brace out of my own pocket when I popped out my knee. I would tell myself to get these things looked at so it doesn't come back to mess with me in the future. And I hope this is a wake up call to someone else as well.

Don't worry I will post a more happy "welcome to the world" for Nicholas-Liam later! It's the least he deserves for his early womb evacuation. And for the choice few that I did give news to I'd like to thank you for all of your love, concern and support. 

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Coming to Theatres Sept 2023

 Welcome all to the newest Chapter in J&J Adventures!

Most of you personally know by now that Jeremy and I can officially announce our expansion of the Brown Bear clan! Thank you to the few select trusted family and friends who had the honor of keeping our secret & excitement. We wanted to wait for it to be public knowledge until both of our mothers could participate in the announcement and excitement - we also help a baby gender reveal that we wanted both our mothers to be apart of.


Thanks to everyone who voted guessing for Team Girl or Team Boy! 

It was great fun - despite the hair sprayed with bug spray and mosquitoes attending our family cook out to be able to surprise everyone with the newest boy to come to the family.

Our Baby Registry is a WIP for those interested but your continuous love, support, friendship & excitement is more than enough needed! You can also help out on my ko-fi page if you'd rather not deal with Amazon shipping, haha! I've been using it to update on our adventures and my journey from East to North Ontario.

More will be updated later! On first time pregnancy experiences, opinions and boundaries. As well as more long-distance tips & tricks on making it work!

Wednesday, November 02, 2022

New Life, who 'dis?

 “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new” -Socrates
In 2021 'my song' was 'release me by Agnes' and in those 365 days since I have made many realizations, decisions and changes in my life. Now in 2022 'my song' is 'Hello by Allie X' and soon to be 'Break my soul by Beyonce.'

Some of you keeping up with me personally already know but I have been very busy as of late - with my blog and new TikTok taking a delayed result, haha. Closing one chapter of my city life for a new one in the country. 
If you need a full update read the post here but for the spark notes version:

2016: A city cat met a country Bear and became quick friends 
2018: The friendship continued with plans to reunite but had to cancel.
2019: Misunderstanding feelings and miscommunication kept them supportive friends... 
2021: After much growth & heartbreak for both, the cat convinced the bear they deserved to accept their feelings & each other. 
2022: The long awaited reunion & vacation! Followed by decisions to close the distance!

Curious about the J&J journey? You can Follow along my Ko-fi Page for updates, info and greatly appreciated support for the big move at https://ko-fi.com/jandjadventures I've been very grateful for the time, lessons and memories I've had in Kingston and truly thank everyone who has been supportive or excited for my new chapter! The reunions & good lucks (not goodbyes) I've had with many of you truly touch my heart. I'll be using my TikTok and Facebook Reels to make snippets and updates don't worry!

I will be posting about my Long Distance move experience soon after so keep an eye out! 

Also for anyone else planning a long distance/remote move I will be posting a how-to so others can learn from my experience or know where to start!