by CHRISTA WEATHERS

Every day at Open Aid Alliance, we work with people who are trying to pick up the pieces of their life after an HIV diagnosis. Many of our friends are battling not only the virus that resides in their body but the social and emotional effects of dealing with a highly stigmatized disease that still frightens many people.  
One client shared with me that he’s been rejected by 23 potential partners- and he’s not just looking for physical intimacy, but true companionship. It starts to weigh heavily on a person. Through my experience working with others like this fellow, I’m convinced many of our clients suffer from some form of post traumatic stress disorder brought on by the initial diagnosis, the process of telling family and friends, navigating the complicated health and financial implications and dealing with the social isolation.  HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was and we are grateful for the advances in treatment; but it’s still very complicated.  Living and surviving with HIV means that you are reminded of the virus that resides within you by the medications you take every day, every job you apply for or new friend you meet you wonder if you should share your HIV status, and then wonder how they will respond. We have clients who aren’t welcome to attend Thanksgiving dinner with extended family because someone is afraid of their disease.
Maybe you’re reading this and you didn’t know that Open Aid Alliance existed, or you have no idea what services we offer. I had a woman who tested positive for hepatitis C once tell me, “I always thought your organization was for those other people until I became one of them.” Open Aid Alliance is here for the Missoula and western Montana community as a resource for sexual health, and that includes education, referrals, HIV and hepatitis C testing, support groups, housing assistance for people with HIV and free condoms and personal lubricant. It’s true we serve the other people,  some of the most underserved and marginalized people in our community, but we also serve your neighbors, family members and friends. OAA is a safe place to seek answers and receive open and non-judgmental support.
We are always looking for ways to connect to our community and tell our story- though it’s sometimes hard to tell stories about things most people don’t talk openly about. The 2013 calendar we’ve created is our interpretation of what sexual health can look like in our community, it’s playful and celebratory and most importantly it’s beautiful. We need your support to continue doing what we do, please consider supporting Open Aid Alliance and our programs through the purchase of this calendar or other products this holiday season. You can see the whole line on our website or at various businesses throughout Missoula. You can also learn more about our programs, schedule an HIV or hepatitis C test, and find other resources on our website www.OpenAidAlliance.org

Christa Weathers is executive director of Open Aid Alliance.  
She can be reached at 543-4770.

by THOMAS SWANSON

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month.  Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects about 1 of every 100 people world-wide. It is characterized by recurrent seizures, which are electrical storms in the brain due to an abnormality of brain cell excitability. Seizures can begin just about anywhere in the brain and cause a variety of symptoms depending on the brain region involved.
Causes of epilepsy are also varied, and include head trauma, brain tumors, stroke, brain infections, and congenital defects of brain development. However, the majority of cases arise in seemingly normal brains. This disease affects people of all ages, races, sex and socio-economic classes. Many spells can mimic epilepsy and an accurate diagnosis is important for proper treatment of epileptic and non-epileptic spells.
Treatments include many different drugs, brain surgery, and electrical brain stimulation devices. Most properly diagnosed cases will respond to drug treatment with a single drug, but about 20 percent of cases are refractory to medical treatment.
Diagnosis should include a detailed account of the spells coupled with expert evaluation of the electrical components of brain function utilizing EEG (electroencephalogram). A careful neurological exam should be performed to rule out underlying brain abnormalities. Brain infection should be ruled out.  Certain laboratory abnormalities should be ruled out. In cases with partial (localization related) seizures, high resolution MRI should be performed.
Cases that do not respond to drug therapy may be misdiagnosed or the improper anti-epileptic medication is being used or used at inappropriate doses. In certain cases, video-EEG monitoring in an epilepsy monitoring unit will make an accurate electrical diagnosis.  The major dilemma in epilepsy treatment is balancing side effects of medication with seizure freedom. Some times the side effects of the drugs are just as disabling as the seizures themselves. There are more than 10 commonly used medications and several others used in specific epilepsy syndromes.
Some complications of recurrent seizures include brain damage, broken bones from falls, head trauma, drowning and sudden death. These complications are, for the most part, related to uncontrolled generalized convulsions. However, any spells with alteration of awareness can cause morbidity such as car crashes, drowning, and falls from ladders or high places.     
The Epilepsy Association of Montana is our state’s organization responsible for educating patients and the public on epilepsy related issues. We provide information about treatment options and support group meetings.  A number of epilepsy specialists state-wide are involved in our group. We hold several fundraising opportunities each year, including our annual trick-or-treat for epilepsy on Halloween and several fundraisers in partnership with the Missoula Osprey.

Thomas Swanson, MD, is the director of Montana Comprehensive Epilepsy Program; faculty, University of Montana Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience.

by JEAN BOWMAN

Twelve years ago a group representing 27 non-profits collaborated to put together an awareness campaign to encourage their donors to leave something in a will or trust.  Such gifts can ensure that those non-profits to continue to make our communities the best places possible.
We called ourselves Legacy Montana.  Today we number more than fifty in Missoula and the surrounding area.  Our goal is to make people aware that they can leave something for their favorite non-profit(s) in a will or trust.  This is not a quick fix, but an educational effort, designed to raise public awareness about the importance and ease of leaving a gift to a non-profit organization. Such gifts can enable those non-profits to continue to do good works long after we are gone.
In the coming years, middle-aged American children will inherit over $10 trillion from their elderly parents.  Many people who share their financial blessings while they are alive are rightly concerned that their contributions will be missed when they are no longer here.  And they are right.  Nationally, only 3-5% of probated wills include gifts to charity.  Locally, that percentage is estimated to be nearer 1-2%.
Leaving something to your favorite non-profit(s) does not mean your children, spouse, or friends are left out.  Wills and trusts re flexible and can be written to make sure your desires are met.  Much of what makes our communities special are the result of  the gifts others left for us—collections of art, medical care for the disadvantaged, park land, food and shelter for the indigent.  The list goes on and on.
This year alone at least five Missoula non-profits received a legacy gift.  These usually unexpected gifts enabled them to continue programs, or start a new program, or helped them meet an unexpected expense.  These gifts indicated the confidence of the donor that the organization was living up to its mission, and would continue to thrive.  
If you think a small gift won’t matter, please think again.  Every gift matters. Your gift, large or small, helps build the future.  It matters because every person matters.  
For more information about Legacy Montana, to learn about the organizations which participate, and to meet people who have made a legacy gift, visit our web-site, www.legacymontana.org.

Specializing in bereavement camps, Tamarack Grief Resource Center (TGRC) offers year-round bereavement programs and services for children, teens, adults and families to support their journey with grief.  The strength-oriented programs of TGRC honor individual responses to loss while strengthening the larger systems in which they live: families, schools, organizations and communities.
Tamarack Grief Resource Center provides stabilizing support for children, adults, and families as they reconstruct their lives after loss.  Our grief support and education programs are individualized for bereaved kids, adults, families, communities, and professionals.
We offer creative, active, meaningful gatherings for kids, teens, and adults in western Montana who are grieving the death of a family member or loved one.
Our clinical staff is available to offer tools and exchange ideas with parents, guardians, professionals, and care providers.
Our resource network includes licensed counselors and social workers on hand to support individuals, couples, and families.
 Tamarack Grief Resource Center is committed to staying on the cutting edge of grief research and practice. Our Director and Program Coordinators integrate their combined years of experience and inspiring enthusiasm into our interactive professional seminars for schools, hospitals, clergy, and mental health professionals.
 From TGRC executive director, Tina Barrett:  “We never know exactly why folks participate in grief support programs. Some describe a desire to honor and remember loved ones. Some are seeking constructive outlets for grief-related anger, loneliness, despair, and isolation. Some seek help moving forward in life. One theme for everyone seems to be a desire to re-create relational bonds with family members and loved ones who are no longer living.  We know how to put energy into relationships with significant friends and family members who are alive. How do we create continuing bonds following the death of someone we care about?
This summer at A Camp to Remember, I came across a boy sobbing on a bench, yelling, “I miss my mom” and writhing in despair. As we began to walk, his body slumped as he oozed sadness and expressed longing for his mom. He began to share snippets of who she was: her name, her interests, some of the moments they shared, what he admired about her, etc. As we walked I noticed tiny blue flowers peeking through the wet grass. I pointed out these blooming Forget-me-nots and shared that they made me think of people I have loved and lost, and that I couldn’t help but find it significant that we came across some as we were talking about his mom. This lanky 12-year-old immediately dropped down on all fours, searching for these precious yet elusive bits of beauty—hidden, but present in the long grass. He shared that his mom loved flowers, and he knew she would love these Forget-me-nots. He collected the tiniest delicate bouquet and eagerly went to show his new camp friends. Days later when we left camp, I noticed the bouquet remained taped to his nametag.
 Like this young camper, each of us seeks to experience connection with deceased loved ones in various ways: through music, special places, particular foods, or indeed, precious flowers. These varied and individual bonds with our loved ones reinforce our feelings of connection and also serve as sources of hope, healing and strength.”
 Please join us in our upcoming fundraiser, The 2nd Annual Big Sky Commerce Charity Golf Classic on Wednesday, August 22nd at The Ranch Club in Missoula. Big Sky Commerce has organized an annual charity golf classic to raise funds for a designated non-profit with this year’s beneficiary being Tamarack Grief Resource Center. Starting the day with a continental breakfast, a Shotgun Start Scramble at 9am followed by lunch, auction and awards. This is sure to be a fun event with golf contests including a $1 million shootout and a chance to win a car with a hole-in-one.
 There’s still time to register and/or be a sponsor of this great event. For registration info, go to www.tamarackgriefresourcecenter.org. For more info on sponsorship opportunities and/or to register, you may call Danielle at Big Sky Commerce at 406.327.0611 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

by Kyle Stensrud

“I’m a five-year survivor.”  “I have a family history of breast cancer.”   “Is there financial assistance available to help with treatment?”  These are just a few of the comments heard at a Chicks n Chaps™ event.  Founded in 2008, Chicks n Chaps™ is a Women’s Only Rodeo Clinic focused on raising awareness, financial assistance and support for those fighting breast cancer.
The partnership between breast cancer and rodeo is a unique one.   The Missoula Stampede organized a Tough Enough to Wear Pink performance in 2006.  That evening’s performance was a soldout event and the start of “Pink Night” at the Missoula Stampede.  Every year since, Pink Night has been one of the most popular performances at the Stampede, during the Western Montana Fair.  This year’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink night is August 9.  
Chicks n Chaps™ will also be held August 9.  So what is Chicks n Chaps™ all about?   The event begins with check in at 3 pm.  There are professional cowboys from around the nation in attendance to mingle with the ladies and pose for pictures with them.   The “8 Second Saloon” is open, food and beverages are available, and live music is in the background as chicks walk around eyeing the raffle items available.
Not only is Chicks n Chaps™ focused on breast cancer, but also on the sport of rodeo.  Chicks learn from professional cowboys and cowgirls about the seven events of rodeo.  They learn how to rope, ride a bull, and learn how to barrel race.  No live animals are used during the event, but the women learn first-hand, and get a close up look at the stock from the professionals that make their living traveling to rodeos across the nation.
After learning about the sport, the chicks take a seat in their own private seating area.  Before the live auction begins, the emcee introduces a special guest, someone who has been touched by breast cancer.  Sometimes it’s a survivor, sometimes the breast cancer coordinator from a local hospital.  The ladies tend to go from having a good time to listening intently as the speaker shares their story.  It’s not uncommon to see tears in the ladies’ eyes, and some of the cowboys.  That’s what Chicks n Chaps™ is all about, sharing the importance of early detection and providing support to those families battling breast cancer.
As the first bucking chute opens, the ladies watch the sport they just learned about, cheering for their favorite cowboy as he spurs a bronc or bull.  This is what makes Chicks n Chaps™ unique to every other non profit in the nation.  Raising funding that is donated directly back to those in need in the local com-munity it is raised in.  In 2011, $40,000 was donated to Tough Enough to Wear Pink of Montana to assist those in need in the Missoula community.  
For more information about Chicks n Chaps™ or to register, go to www.chicksnchaps.org.  

Kyle Stensrud is vice president and founder of Chicks n Chaps™.