December 2nd, our friends, The Murkison’s, were involved in tragic car accident.  Involved in the accident were David and Ellen, their two boys Ben – now 11, Brian – 7 and the boy’s grandparents Gene and Marilyn Murkison.   The accident required Gene, Ben and Brian to all be flown by helicopters to Memorial in Savannah.  Gene and Ben were kept for a good many days then released.  Unfortunately, Brian was critically injured, he had received a traumatic brain injury.  He was in ICU until the week of Christmas fighting for his life.  A few days before Christmas the family was given the horrible news that nothing more could be done for sweet Brian.  The family made the tough decision to transfer Brian to Ogeechee Hospice here in Statesboro.  THEN… a day or two before Christmas, Brian’s big brother Ben asked for everyone to please pray for a Christmas Miracle for Brian.  You see, during this process Ben had been told that people all over the world were praying for Brian.  Ben asked, “Even in Fiji?”  Turns out that through Facebook, Lands End’s website, church prayer lists, etc, that Yes, Ben, people were not only praying for Brian in Fiji…but literally in EVERY continent ALL over the entire WORLD!

Well, the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say, is that Brian did receive a Christmas Miracle.  It wasn’t a movie plot one where on Christmas day where he woke up and started talking and walking…but that is OK.  His has been a day-by-day process of a million little miracles.  Miracles we “groupies” that have been praying for him since the beginning rejoice with the family for…even the tiny ones!  Through the last five weeks of preparing for the fundraising concerts he has begun doing a million new things!  When Dr. Braz called me and shared his idea of doing the concerts for Brian I was so excited!   He asked if I would help him put together the concert and of course I said YES!  When I called David to share the idea with him he was really excited but mentioned that Brian may not be able to come to them.  I told David that I totally understood…but I would pray specifically for that too…and I also said, “you know a lot of the things we have all been praying for have been answered!”  What a huge blessing for Brian to not only come to both concerts…but he surprised us all by preparing something he wanted to say to the audience – then he and Ben helped Dr. Braz play the finale song, “Amazing Grace”.  Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe it…if you don’t believe me, then take a look at the video.  You too, will believe in MIRACLES!

The money raised from the ticket sales and silent auction will help the Murkison family with rehabilitation expenses for Brian.  The event raised over $7,000 which is a great start to helping them with this journey.  When we presented the money to Brian’s dad he said tearfully that, “now when doctors tell us that some procedure is not covered by insurance we can do it anyway!”  If you missed the events but would still like to help the family just mail a check to:

“Murkison Family Fund”

c/o  34 East Main Street

Statesboro, GA  30458

A HUGE thank you to Dr. Michael Braz for his amazing talent and his big heart for all he did for this event.  He truly was the guy that “made it happen”. Also, HUGE thank you’s for the team of folks that sold tickets, donated silent auction items, put up posters, bought tickets and came to the event to celebrate the Miracle of Brian’s life being saved.  We were so excited to share the first concert with the two Air Evac team members that flew Brian to Savannah and with Tyler Thompson from Bulloch EMS who was the first person on the scene that night.  Giving God all the Glory for the Miracles he has given Brian…but he definitely has a team of “Angels” here on Earth helping!  A special Thank You to the three of you plus all the other countless caregivers that have touched the Murkison’s life so profoundly!  Here is a slide show of progress that was part of the program on Saturday:

Reposted from GSU’s Center for Entrepreneurial Learning and Leadership Publication

March 11, 2011 by Brittanie Barber Leave a Comment

Lori and DeWayne Grice

It is evident after meeting this husband and wife duo that giving back plays an important part in their lives. The couple strives to live according to the “Rick Warren concept” of living on 10% and giving away 90%. But had it not been for one photograph, the Grice’s may not have been able to play such a vital role in their community.

Since the age of eight Lori has had a camera in her hand when her Uncle entered the photography business and later founded Regency Photo.  When she was 18 years old she had the opportunity to attend her first Georgia Southern football game. Working her way through college in her uncle’s photo lab, it was a rare occasion when she got a Saturday off to go watch the Eagles. Given that opportunity, she was sure to take her camera with her. She snapped many shots but one in particular of a Georgia Southern Eagle running the ball, with his teammates cheering him on in the background, for a touchdown.  The owner of Archibald’s, which is now Gnat’s Landing, saw the photo and asked Lori for a print for his restaurant where the famed Erk Russell frequented. Coach Russell fell in love with the portrait and requested that the action shot be used in GSU’s marketing campaigns.  Erk’s endorsement of Lori’s work gave her the boost she needed to launch her highly successful photography business.

“My aunt actually said after that ‘it’s such a shame that you have reached your peak at 18,’” laughed Lori.

DeWayne, Lori and their daughter Edie Grace with GUS before an Eagles’ game.

DeWayne started off as a co-op student at GSU where he later graduated with a BBA in entrepreneurship.  While in college, he co-founded Cable Ad Concepts, a consulting agency for Northland Cable.  In this role DeWayne helped establish the advertising, production and news divisions in Northland Cable systems throughout the southeast. While managing Cable Ad Concepts, then Georgia Secretary of State Lewis Massey convinced DeWayne to come to Atlanta and help lead his gubernatorial campaign. In 1997 DeWayne founded Z to A Solutions, a nonprofit and political fundraising company. DeWayne’s company made a tremendous impact in the political and nonprofit arena by raising more $20 million in the short time he presided over the company. But this fast paced life wasn’t quite right for the couple who wanted to start a family.

John C. Maxwell, a successful leadership development author and motivational speaker, spoke to Lori and DeWayne while they were trying to figure out their path and said to Lori, “you have no idea how lucky you are and how wonderful it is to know what your gift is.” He also challenged DeWayne to find his gift, and DeWayne knew that leading political campaigns just weren’t his primary gift. So, DeWayne merged his company and returned to Statesboro full time to join Lori in her photography studio downtown.

Photography is more than just a portrait session and portrait sales for DeWayne and Lori, they pride themselves on their work and their community involvement.

“It doesn’t matter who we photograph, we have made it our goal to be proud to display our prints in any home across America,” said DeWayne.

In 2002, just 14 months after the birth of their daughter Edie Grace, Lori was offered the opportunity to travel to France and train with other professional photographers on a Thursday, on Friday she was chosen for Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 under 40 and the following Monday she was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. After being diagnosed, while holding her baby in her arms, Lori realized that if she couldn’t beat the cancer the only memories Edie Grace would have of her mother would be captured in portraits. Lori was reaffirmed of the power and importance of her job as a family’s portrait artist.  The cancer was caught early enough that Lori did not have to undergo Chemo-therapy.  After several surgeries and treatments, Lori is living cancer free. But she looks at life and photography in a new way.

“The greatest gift of the cancer, I realize, is that every day that I go into the studio I create the images and memories that may be someone’s last. So no matter how I feel that day I have to give my A-game.” says Lori.

Statesboro’s Averitt Center for the Arts as it stands today. The efforts of DeWayne Grice and community members led the renovation of a dilapidated bank into the arts center.

On top of their commitment to quality, the couple is dedicated to building their community. Lori and DeWayne played a fundamental role in rebuilding Downtown Statesboro. As President of the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority, she played an integral role in the redevelopment of several downtown buildings that were in ill repair including what is now City Hall. DeWayne was appointed by Statesboro professionals and then Mayor Hal Averitt to restore an old bank and movie theater into the successful Averitt Center for the Arts. DeWayne was a charter member on GSU’s Board for the Center for Continuing Education. DeWayne led the effort to restructure the largest nonprofit organization in the world, the American Heart Association, by streamlining the organization and creating just 12 regional offices instead of 51. DeWayne served as Chairman of the Southeastern Affiliate of AHA and as a national board member. Lori is an activist and national spokesperson for the HPV vaccination and early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. They were the first husband and wife team to be listed in Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 under 40 and have both received gubernatorial appointments. Lori has been named Georgia Photographer of the Year in 2007 and twice named International Photographer of the Year. She is 1 of 2,000 photographers nationally certified out of the Professional Photography Associations 20,000 members. Lori was only the 14^th photographer in Georgia to be inducted into the prestigious American Society of Photographers.  In 2008, Lori was chosen to create an ornament for official White House Christmas Tree by First Lady Laura Bush, after being nominated by Congressman John Barrow.  Lori was the only photographer to be chosen. Currently, Lori and DeWayne are integrally involved in founding the Hearts and Hands Health Clinic in Statesboro.  DeWayne serves as the President of the clinics’ Board of Directors and they are committed to raising awareness and funds for the clinic, which offers free health care to those in the community, who have lost or cannot afford health insurance.

For more information about the husband and wife team or to schedule a Portrait Session please visit their website: lorigrice.com

If you know me personally, have read my blog or Facebook pages, you know how passionate I am about the healthcare crisis in our country.  The average family in America, making $50,000 per year is paying over $18,000 per year in PREMIUMS.  The median income for our community is $16,000.  How can anyone not understand that this is a problem?

This year, my premiums were going to exceed $20,000 making my monthly payment approach $2,000 per month.  In fact, our premium has exceeded any other payments we have – including our house payment.  Our only option was to switch to a High Deductible HSA plan.  Basically a catastrophic plan – where we now pay $600 for our premium – BUT we have an $11,200 deductible.  ELEVEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED DOLLAR deductible – you read that correct.  This is NOT insurance.

I knew we could not be alone in this struggle – so I began researching this and asking other small business owners what they were doing for insurance.  My findings were staggering.  Most of them are UNINSURED!  These are reputable small business owners – operating businesses in our community. 

My parent’s always told me that you have two choices in life – accept things as they are or work to change them.  We do not have any real political power – so we looked for ways in our community to make a difference.  Through this process we met Andres Montes, a student at Georgia Southern, who shared our passion for providing healthcare to those who simply can not afford it.  I remember when I would hear stories of people who did not have healthcare for one reason or the other and I would judge them negatively.  It is different now.  As the old saying goes, “Walk a mile in their moccasins”, and due to cancer, I have.  We were so impressed with Andres and his vision that we decided to partner with him.

A great friend and client of mine, author and mentor, Dr. John Maxwell says this:

“People don’t resent being asked for a great commitment if there is a great purpose behind it.”

With this quote in mind – we went to work “asking for a great commitment” recruiting volunteers, board members, medical professionals and others that shared our vision.  So MANY of you said YES – THANK YOU!  Because of you, last September, our dream became a reality and thanks to Pastor John Long, Andres and so many others – we helped open the Hearts and Hands FREE Clinic in our community.  The clinic would provide Medical, Dental and Optometry care to our target group of the “working poor” in our community.  Hundreds of our community, state and national leaders were in attendance. 

What happened next, none of us could anticipate, was the FLOOD of applications from our community.  (We only serve Bulloch County at the present time)  I had NO idea how GREAT the need was.  So we doubled our efforts and worked harder to identify resources to help us meet the needs.  Many of you opened your hearts and wallets and have given generously.  The Bulloch County Hospital Authority gave us a HUGE head start with a $15,000 grant, then the local homebuilders stepped up and gave $500.  Edie Grace even held a Birthday Fundraiser and instead of asking for birthday gifts she requested donations to the clinic.  So many others of you followed suit.

But our need was greater and our vision larger.  Board President, George Chappell went to work on writing a grant request from the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation.  Dr. Bill Perry and Dr. Ed Johnson, along with Pastor John Long and others worked tirelessly to help George with the grant and help educate the organization of our needs.

Today, DeWayne traveled to Atlanta and received the $120,000 check from Dr. Robert White, Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Convention.

This wonderful grant reconfirms our purpose and adds greater responsibility to our commitment to step up even more for our community.  Our goal is to double these funds in our community.  This sounds like an impossible task but If every student at Georgia Southern gave just $6.00 (the cost of a small pizza) we could double it.  In addition to funds, we need volunteers – medical and non medical.  LOTS of volunteers…

Watch for a launched web site coming soon, which will have weekly updates on our needs and continued progress.

Another great friend and client, Dr. Michael Guido based his entire ministry on Jesus’ Parable of the Sower.  He was even known as THE SOWER and his messages were called, SEEDS FROM THE SOWER.  He was the master of sowing seeds. Tonight, our hope is that he is looking down on everyone involved in this effort and everyone reading this and smiling gently, as he did so famously, in recognition of the time he invested in so many us – teaching us patiently the importance of sowing seeds – everyday.

A very special employee of ours gave DeWayne and I the book, The Prodigal God, written by one of my new favorite authors,Timothy Keller.  This has become our guide stone for this project:

Keller writes, “In Matthew 25, Jesus describes Judgment Day.  Many will stand there and call him “Lord,” but Jesus says, stunningly, that if they had not been serving the hungry, the refugees, the sick, the prisoners, then they hadn’t been serving Him.  There is no contradiction to what we have heard from Jesus in the Parable of the Prodigal son.  He is not saying that only social workers get into heaven.  Rather, He is saying that the inevitable sign that you know you are a sinner saved by sheer, costly grace is a sensitive social conscience and a life poured out in deeds of service to the poor.  Younger brothers are too selfish and elder brothers are too self-righteous to care for the poor.”

Thank you for sharing this with us.  If you are not involved, please join our effort – in whatever way God leads you!

Join Lori Tuesday night, September 28th at 7PM at the PAC on the GSU campus as she keynotes the Cancer Prevention Works conference presented by the GSU office of Health Services Health Education and Promotion.  Following Lori will be a performance by the national award winning Adrenaline Show Choir.

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month!
Get in the Know: Cervical Cancer

September 8, 2010

Stats: Approximately 12,200 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year in the United States.
Prevention: Get your annual check-up and regular Pap test, starting at 18 or within 3 years of starting sexual activity.  Get an HPV test when recommended.  Speak to your doctor about whether the cervical cancer vaccine is appropriate for you or a family member. (Vaccine recommended for 11 and 12 year old girls and is approved for girls and women ages 9 – 26)
*Symptoms: Bleeding or pain during intercourse, unusual discharge, abnormal bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause and ongoing pelvic, leg or back pain.
Get Screened: Pelvic exam & Pap test
Talk about Cervical Cancer:

• (818) 992-4242 – National Cervical Cancer Coalition’s phone/e-mail pals program
• (800) 813-4673 – Cancer Care counseling

Be Empowered By Survivors:

• Cheryl S., Illinois
• Kimberly C., Texas
• Carolyn H., California

Learn More:

• The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation

• National Cancer Institute

• American Cancer Society

• Cancer Schmancer

*Symptoms can often be similar to other diseases and conditions. However, if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor right away to discuss your personal health and what tests are best appropriate for you. 

YaY!

Here are my award and ribbon winning images:

Thank you, GPPA, for awarding my images the following awards:

Best of Show: Wedding/Social Events

American Society of Photographer’s State Elite Award

Kodak Gallery Award

First Place Award Bridal Portrait

First Place Fine Art Scenic

                                                                                Distinguished ~ Portrait of a Woman

                                                                                Judges Choice Ribbon {& other ribbons too}

Here are a few images of the awards.  I apologize…I took the award pics really quick because I was so excited about sharing all of this with you!  I am truly overwhelmed by all of this!  This is the cool part… 1/2 of these images are fine art pieces but 1/2 of these are from actual client sessions.  Thank you for sharing in this journey with me! 

I was overwhelmed by the number of you who came to hear my story and celebrate Administrative Assistant’s Day at the Nesmith Lane Continuing Education Center on the campus of GSU.  The room was packed and it was a BIG room….yes nearly 130 of you! The standing ovation was humbling.  You guys overwhelmed me. 

I always enjoy sharing my story and challenging each of you to join me in making a difference in our community.  There are so many wonderful opportunities to get involved and give back.  We are all so blessed in amazing ways.

A special thanks to Sybil, Stephanie, Jennifer and Rhonda for all of their hard work to make this event a huge success.  Lot’s of vendors donated door prizes and Emily Wildes, an LGP client, created the beautiful flower arrangements on every table.

Several of you have emailed and asked if I would share the closing video with you. I have attached it at the bottom of this blog…ENJOY!

If you missed the event and would like for me to speak to your civic club, church or organization – I would be honored to do so.  Email me at info@lorigrice.com or call me at 912-764-7274,

Don’t miss the first of what we hope to become an annual celebration of surviving cancer – First Friday in October (Friday, Oct. 2, 2009) 6:30pm at the Emma Kelly theater in Downtown Statesboro.  We (Lori Grice Photography) are sponsoring this celebration concert – so it is Free to the Public.  If you are a cancer survivor, caregiver, relative or friend of a cancer survivor – come CELEBRATE with us.  No matter where you live – come join us.  We hope to pack the house and rattle the windows with our joyful voices of celebration.

The concert features four community quartets – One Voice (First Baptist Church), Light House (Primitive Baptist Church), group from Pittman Park Methodist Church and a group from Brannen Chapel.  The concert will include a sing-a-long session as well.

This event provides a wonderful opportunity for survivors to get together as a group and celebrate LIFE.  We have so MUCH to be thankful for!

A special Thanks to Eddie Olliff for coordinating this incredibly special event. 

One of the burdens and opportunities of surviving cancer, or any other horrible disease or accident, is the ability to use this gift to help others.  Earlier in the year I was contacted by the PKIDS organization and interviewed by them to be considered for a series of public service announcements and radio and TV interviews to be used to promote the importance of vaccines.  I was thrilled to be selected and traveled to New York today to share my story of survivorship.  The producers and staff at the production facility were wonderfully talented and passionate about the PKIDS mission.  This is the first national TV interview that Edie Grace has been able to tag along with me.  I assumed she would be impressed with the studio and control room – but her favorite was the green room – and the ping pong table. 

For those of you who have never been in a large TV production facility – I am including some “behind the scenes” pictures for you to enjoy this experience with me.

I will keep all of you, my faithful blog readers, posted on how and when the commercials are used.  Thank YOU, PKIDS, for this wonderful opportunity.

  Today we flew into New York.  I am here doing advocacy work for the HPV Vaccine, photographing clients and enjoying a few days with Edie Grace and DeWayne in the Big Apple.  This trip is part of Edie Grace’s 8th birthday celebration.  After an adventurous day of travel we finally arrived.  We were delayed in Charlotte and then again in the air because of bad weather which caused them to shut down the Newark airport.  The weather is great and tomorrow morning I will be interviewed for a series of PSA’s promoting the importance of the HPV vaccine.  I am here at the invitation of PKIDS (Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases) a wonderful organization founded by a wonderful mom.  We had dinner tonight with other parents who will also be featured in this series.  Their stories were heart warming and very powerful.  I knew tonight that this is a fight I must continue with renewed spirit.

If this vaccine will prevent only one child from experiencing cancer – my fight, time and effort is well served.