Get the Word Out Wednesday Link Up #9

Thank you for stopping by and please be sure to tell everyone you know (bloggers and readers) about the opportunity to spread the word.

Great news!  We have started a Pinterest page at The Zippy Zebra.  Want to follow us?  https://www.pinterest.com/thezippyzebra/  It is still in the baby stages but we would love to have you join us there.

It has been a full week in this zebra’s life with the debut of a local play, out of town guests including a beautiful little baby and now a round of some very nasty flu.  But the weather is beautiful so things are looking up.

 Book Giveaway:  Click here to check out our book giveaway (The first in a paranormal series) and receive a link to the 2nd in the series (FREE).

Read more »

Giveaway at The Zippy Zebra

In honor of the launch of Rebecca Howard’s 3 Book DARK HOLLOW ROAD (release date March 30), we are excited to offer the chance to win a FREE Kindle copy of WINDWOOD FARM .

The first in a paranormal series featuring a protagonist who struggles with a chronic illness (revealed in book 3).

I have to admit I have not had the opportunity to complete my copy but I have enjoyed the little bit I have read so far.

For details on how to enter please check the rules below.

Rebecca is also offering a FREE copy of the 2nd book  Griffin Tavern for anyone who signs up for her email subscriber list.  (I just did and it took less than 2 minutes to complete).

This is available to anyone not just those purchasing a book or entering the contest.

To discover more click here.

To learn more about the series and check out other great books by Rebecca check out her Amazon site here.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

Just click on the box below (provide your email or link to your FB page to be contacted ONLY if you win the giveaway, this does not sign you up for repeat emails or FB notifications, it is ONLY for notification for winning)

Then leave a comment on this post below and follow the other instructions to be entered for a chance to win.  I know some have been confused by the “rafflecopter box” when it says to “leave a comment”.   Simply click the blue box at the bottom of this post and leave a comment there then return to the rafflecopter box and click “I commented” and you are entered!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For contest rules click here. (Due to the fact no shipping is involved non-U.S. residents are welcome to participate).

If you would like to follow The Zippy Zebra please like our FB page, follow us on Twitter, or sign up for email notification.  We would love to have you join us in our journey to brighten everyone’s day.

 #WindwoodFarm # RebeccaHoward #Giveaway

 Note:  I am in no way receiving compensation for this promotion.  I have not received free material or financial restitution.   These are not affiliate links.   As previously stated I have yet to finish the book.   I am simply helping a fellow zebra promote her series.

Karen’s Inspiring Story Part 2-Life With Marfan’s

Karen’s Inspiring Story

Life With Marfan’s

Part 2

I was so very appreciative that I finally got to experience it.  Tree branches were no longer just green colored arms sticking out of a tree; they were suddenly branches that had beautiful vibrant individual green leaves on them.  Flowering plants weren’t just a blob of color anymore; they were a beautiful living creation from God, with their own blooms and leaves, and little bugs that crawl on their petals.

Want know what Karen is referring to?  Read the beginning of Karen’s story here.

Read more »

Get the Word Out Wednesday Link Up #8

Thank you for stopping by and please be sure to tell everyone you know (bloggers and readers) about the opportunity to spread the word.

If you are a return guest a The Zippy Zebra you will note that we have been making some changes to the blog in layout and content.  The last few weeks have seen more growth than we initially expected and while we are still small and relatively new it seems that we are reaching people. Be sure to check out the changes including our new “Featured items of the week.”

BONUS THIS WEEK:  Book Giveaway

Thursday March 5th we will be launching a book giveaway.  The first in the paranormal series by Rebecca Howard (a fellow EDSers).  The giveaway will also contain a link to an additional free book and other info so please check back in March 5th for the details.  Feel free to sign up for emails or “like” us on facebook to receive reminders.

If you or someone you know is an author, blogger, video person or has a story to share please send them our email and ask them to share with us. thezippyzebra@outlook.com

“Get the Word Out Wednesday” Link-up will be available EVERY  Wednesday for blogs featuring articles that will help those with a chronic illness.

This linkup is not only for zebras but ANYONE with a chronic illness that has a personal story, help (allergen-free recipes, ideas), adaptation ideas, testimonial or anything that would be helpful or encouraging to others, (even sharing a day in your life).

The idea of the “Get The Word Out”   link-up is to spread the word about our illnesses, adaptations, short-cuts, tools, articles, stories, etc… and support each other during this sometimes lonely journey.

Bloggers struggling with pain and challenges can visit other sites, while non-bloggers can find others like them and follow along while offering encouragement to one another.

I LOVE fun crafty, save money, anything goes linkups but the “Get The Word Out” Link-up is not one of those.  We will have a few rules to keep the links useful and uplifting to our readers.

RULES FOR LINKING UP

1.)  Blog Links must be family friendly and link to a post.  Not a home page.  You may link up to 3 posts in one link-up party.

2.)  The links used can offer personal stories of your life with a chronic illness, pain, handicap, physical challenge or invisible illness.  Income earning ideas for those with physical challenges (not promoting your downline specifically-it must be an actual post sharing what it is how and it helped you.)  Tools (splints, braces, grabbers, kitchen tools, etc… that have helped you in some way to “adapt” to your challenge (illness), recipes adapted to deal with an allergy, articles on helping a child with physical or mental challenges (diet, behavior, sensory, ADD, ADHD, etc…), articles on awareness, information, compiled useful lists, etc…

3.)  If you are a reader and do not have a blog but would like to offer an article you feel would be helpful.  Just leave the name or a link in the comments and our readers can look it up and I will contact them about joining our weekly link-up.  (Hopefully as word spreads we were have an abundance of articles to offer.)

New To Link-ups?

Bloggers here’s how:

1.)  At the bottom of this post you will find a blue button that says “Add Your Link”.  Click on it.

2.)  Follow the instructions on the next page.   Please remember to link to a specific post and not your main page.  (We encourage readers to explore your page but do not want them to get frustrated and quit looking if they cannot find the article they originally wished to link to.)

3.)  Stop by a few of the other blogs and leave a note of encouragement on the articles you enjoyed.  Feel free to mention that you were sent there through this linkup.  (To encourage them to link-up again.)

4.)  Please link back to The Zippy Zebra.  I do not have a special button yet but feel free to use the icon at the top with an embedded link OR a simple text link will do.  (If you dont know how please message me and we can walk through it.)

[inlinkz_linkup id=502829 mode=1]

Karen’s Inspiring Story-Living with Marfan’s-Part 1

Karen’s Inspiring Story

Living With Marfan’s

Part 1

My name is Karen and I have Marfan Syndrome.

I accept my disease and am actually grateful for it.  Having Marfan’s has helped make me who I am today………and if I must say so myself, I think I’m a pretty cool person.

Read more »

Real Life Story #5- Rikard’s Life With Marfan Syndrome

Rikard’s Life With Marfan Syndrome

My name is Rikard and I have Marfans Syndrome.  Despite that, I consider myself quite fortunate in my situation.  I am 24 years old.  I study to become a lawyer and go to regular doctor check-ups, both of which are free.  (I’m a Swede living in Sweden.)  I exercise several times a week, maintain a healthy diet and generally manage the complications from my diagnosis.  If all else fails, I have friends and family who look out for me and know about the symptoms of my disease and side-effects of my medication.  All in all, I suppose I am quite lucky.  Unfortunately my father wasn’t. Read more »

Get the Word Out Wednesday Link Up #7

Thank you for stopping by and please be sure to tell everyone you know (bloggers and readers) about the opportunity to spread the word.

It is has been another fun filled week here at The Zippy Zebra Household.  I have been reaching out to more chronic illness communities in hopes to “Get the Word Out” asking them to share their “Real Life Stories” for our Tuesday and Thursday series.  If you are interested in sharing your story please do so by emailing it to thezippyzebra@outlook.com or click here for more details on what we are looking for.

If you or someone you know is an author, blogger, video person or has a story to share please send them our email and ask them to share with us. thezippyzebra@outlook.com

I also began a “Closed” facebook group for encouraging those of us who find it difficult to do the everyday things in life (dishes, getting out of bed, laundry, dinner), etc… Check the details out at  “Celebrating Each Day, Each Project, Each Accomplishment at a time.”   You can request to join here.   It is to offer encouragement to each other as we make plans for the day and try to complete them.

We will be hosting a “Get the Word Out Wednesday” Link-up EVERY  Wednesday for blogs featuring articles that will help those with a chronic illness. Read more »

Real Life Stories #4-Awaiting Diagnosis Marfan Syndrome

Awaiting Diagnosis

Hi!  My name is Rachel.

I am 14 and a freshman in high school.

I enjoy designing clothes, reading books, hanging out with friends and watching movies.  I like creating stories and drawing.

I have been diagnosed with severe scoliosis, flat feet, severe vision issues, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Type 3, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

I am currently awaiting gene testing results for Marfan Syndrome. Read more »

The Story of Me (In verse).

For further details on her illnesses, simply click on the highlighted words.

THE STORY OF ME

My name is Rachel.

   This is the story of me.

My body is full of surprises, as you will soon see.

I have strange joints, not just elbows and knees

 but ALL of my joints are really bendy.

Read more »

Real Life Stories #3-Marfan Journey

Jennifer’s Journey

My Name is Jennifer Cross

I was born in Springfield Illinois on October 1st 1972 ( I accept birthday gifts all year =) )

I am the middle monster of 3 kids.  My brother Jeff is 47 (Marfan’s and valve replacement at 32 like my dad and ticks) and my sister Jeanine is 41 has Marfan’s and no surgeries (we are polish twins ) Most of my childhood was spent outdoors…even more when we moved to Clearwater, Florida in 1980 following my father’s valve replacement at the age of 32.  My dad was 6’4 handsome, fun, and always loved being outside so moving to Florida was ideal since shoveling snow was not a great idea for him.

I remember sitting at the dinner table, hearing a “tick” on some nights and on others nothing.  That was the sound my dad’s heart made after his surgery.  My family didn’t discuss such things as health etc.. so I just thought it made my dad even more special .

At that time little was known about what my dad had.. Marfan’s Syndrome.

I never gave it any thought..

Then I became a teenager.. Read more »