We’re torn between needing and appreciating that kind of help but not comfortable asking for that kind for help. Caringbridge just doesn’t seem like a place to do that. I know someone said earlier there is no shame in asking for help. Honestly, I don’t know the etiquette, but our gut tells us right now that personally asking for financial help feels weird.
I follow another Caringbridge journal (for a terminally ill schoolmate of Whatsit Jr’s) and they’ve put a disclaimer right up on the front page letting people know that the donation solicitation link on the side goes to Caringbridge, and not them, because a lot of people were confused. So that may be something to consider doing.
I just have to say, by the way, that from my outsider’s perspective it looks like you and your wife are holding up remarkably well under the circumstances. Little Owl is in very good hands.
A friend of mine is a graphic designer. She sells owl cartoons and I was thinking of buying some of her owl merchandise before the news came.
Here are some of her owls… and here.
She is willing to make an owl logo for us and throw in whatever slogan we pick for use on things such as t-shirts. I told her she could include whatever website info or anything else she wants to promote her owl sales.
Let me know what’s going on so I can get you her artwork.
I love the owl artwork…especially if she could incorporate a heart into the logo like the “i <heart> owls” shirt.
Another vote for making it clear on caringbridge that the donation button is for them, not you. I love the caringbridge site as the journal updates really keep everyone in the loop without having to repeat yourself to every family and friend. Good stuff.
Oops! :o
Quasi
In the Jewish religion, it is considered an obligation to allow others to help you. A mitzvah, if you will.
Please, let us help. To know your story means we know some of your pain, and the best way to relieve that pain is to do something that will help - donations of time, money, and effort.
Please, let the district tell the other teachers about what you’re facing and ask for donations of sick days. There are some teachers out there who never get a sniffle and would be thrilled to send days and days your way. There are other teachers who usually use up their allotment but will gladly give up a half a day or a full day to help out.
Please, let us give you donations through Paypal or other avenues. We hurt for you. Let us make the pain a little less. We are a community. We are tied to one another by our shared experiences. Caring for you means that when we are each in that dark place, we are a little more certain someone else will care for us.
I like the first owl design. Maybe she could make it in blue, the same blue Getty is wearing in those photos? I absolutely love those photos by the way. She’s the Second Most Beautiful Baby in the World. (Sorry, First Place belongs to my son Alex.)
Please let us help you. You’ll have to shoulder most of this burden alone, but if you let us, many hands working together can help buoy you, your wife, and Getty right now.
I put my PayPal here because people were asking about it here. I would never have put it here on my own had people not asked me how they can help. We feel weird putting it on caringbridge.
I am glad to accept anything people have to offer. We feel strange asking for it, if that makes any sense. It just feels odd if the help comes in response to our solicitation instead of from being initiated by those who want to help. Am I making any sense?
The owl won’t go on the shirts. However, a friend of ours was considering a fundraiser, so we may still want an owl logo.
All I said was that we would love an owl design and we want something blue. She is happy to oblige.
That owl logo may end up as a tattoo for my wife and I. I never understood why anyone would want a tattoo, but I may end up with one out of all this.
That’s just the kind of people we are.
I can relate to some of what you write, having had to ask for help myself from our Doper friends. It was gladly given, but I am still smarting from the effect it had on me having to ask for it.
Take it in the spirit with which it is intended: love and caring for our friend and his family.
Quasi
I would be happy to buy a shirt, please do post how to buy one
I cannot express how saddened I am by this.
No news on the blood test yet? Still hoping for a misdiagnosis.
late next week
Amen. Hoping so here also. I was holding it together pretty well until I clicked on CaringBridge & saw the pics. Of course, I knew I’d lose it them but I just didn’t expect how heart-rendingly precious she looks. The eyes! The eyes!
I’m so hoping & praying something works out here for you all. And of course, I’ll be kicking in a bit also.
Some time next week, we’ll have them printed. I’m going to see my aunt this weekend and give her the final details. I’m thinking $15 a shirt. Do you guys think that’s too much or too little?
Here’s holding to hope that there’s been a misdiagnosis.
I am just now seeing this whole thread for the first time. Let me start by saying how very, very sorry I am that your sweet baby is sick and that you and your family are going through this. It just breaks my heart.
I live in Sacramento, too. I am a mom who is currently not working outside the home, but my son is in school during the day…please, please call on me if there is anything I can do to help. Run errands or come over and help or whatever. I know you probably have real life friends who are totally there for you, but I would like to be there, too. I will PM you my number and email address.
Much love to the three of you!
If something goes amazing, and it turns out you don’t need the donations… a misdiagnosis, or a lotto win or something, then take the money and kick it to the FSMA folks or something. Seems an appropriate course of action.
We would never keep money we don’t need, and any surplus would go to FSMA.