TER General Board
"This may not be the most eloquent or the most powerful piece I have written "
...umm sister, I'm not so sure about that. I am currently working on a rant of all rants about how negative this business has become, and then I read this. It gives me a little hope.
Many talk the "we are a community" talk, you walk it, literally and figuratively. I wish more were like you.
I have asked Staff permission to make a post and to ask for support from our community. I want to tell you about a man in Atlanta by the name of Sad One.... He is suffering from ALS which is better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He is only in his 40's. I have had the honor of his friendship for 2 years now. He's been able to go to our monthly gatherings without much of an issue but he is getting visibly worse now. It is nearly impossible for him to walk on his own now and probably won't be able to drive much longer. He will be made to stay at home by the first of the year, meaning no driving or going out on his own.
This is a man who has a wife and two beautiful colllege age daughters. Being a daddy's girl and knowing this family I can tell you that the girls adore thier father and he adores them. They are in college and trying to live their life and plan for the future. What a bitter sweet thing to do since they aren't sure if thier daddy will see them graduate college.... Stop and think about what it would be like to know that you probably won't see your children's graduations, let alone thier weddings and grandchildren.
Right now there are two studies being conducted. One is for the cure and one is to halt progression of the ALS. The latter one is expected to be ready for application within the next 5 years. Wouldn't it be an incredible gift to give a man in our community the hope of life? Whatever the chance, don't you think we owe it to help him and his familiy?
Whenever I am around him, I can see his fatherly love and it is as if I am with my own. All of us Daddy's girls know what I am referring to. Many of you fathers know exactly of the swell you feel in your heart when you think of your children. I can't imagine not having my daddy.
If you can find a way to help by donating just a few dollars we might be able to help make a difference in our own community and the 30,000 other people suffering with this disease.
I will be walking on the 20th of September, with some of our other friends and this family to show our support.
I beg you to find a way to help. Sadone is an amazing man and I want to let him know that we are going to support him in any way possible. I know we can all afford $5.00. This is tax deductable and you can make it annonymously too.
I have made a special page for this on my website. Within the text of the page is a link where you can make a donation. This will go directly to ALSA. This organization has been really good to their family. So far they have donated a wheelchair, a lift for a van, and other things to make him more comfortable.
I will also give away prizes for the 2 people who make the largest donation. One of the sports memorabilia which is an autographed basketball from George Gervin. Yes the "Iceman" #44. I also have a few other amazing sports goodies. Another one will receive two autographed baseballs, one of which will be from John Smoltz.
I am begging for your help. Look inside your heart and think of what it would be like to leave your family behind. This may not be the most eloquent or the most powerful piece I have written but it certainly comes from my heart.
The deadline for the prizes and the walk is September 15th.
All my love,
Brooke Butler
-- Modified on 9/2/2003 8:24:23 AM
...umm sister, I'm not so sure about that. I am currently working on a rant of all rants about how negative this business has become, and then I read this. It gives me a little hope.
Many talk the "we are a community" talk, you walk it, literally and figuratively. I wish more were like you.
You are such a doll.
It is great to know that so many ladies do have feelings and love to help others.
I am glad I can call you a friend.
Shaye
Your heart is in the right place, Brooke. I only wish more people had the emotional stucture that you obviously do. May God look after you and yours.
Thank you for bringing this issue to the forefront, Brooke. I lost a friend from ALS two years ago. We'd known each other for 30 years; he was my college roommate. Watching his detioration was the most helpless feeling in the world.
There is one very important point I'd like to make. If you have a friend who is dying, BE A FRIEND. You'd be amazed at how many "friends" stay away! Having spoken with people in the medical community and Hospice, this is the case way too often. People are simply afraid. But by not interacting with the dying person, we cause terrible pain.
So suck it up and go see your friends when you get The Word! Don't spend the rest of YOUR life saying "I wish I'd seen him/her before the end". You have no idea how much comfort YOU can provide by visiting the hospital or the persons home. You really have NO IDEA!!! (Unless, of course, you've already gone through this!).
I spoke to my friend on the phone the night before he died. His wife held the receiver to my friends ear and I spoke to him for 15 minutes, reminding him of all the great times we'd had together. I could hear my friend choking. It sounded like he was also crying. At the 15 minute mark, my friends wife took the receiver and said they had to go. I could tell he could barefly breath. The next day, he was gone.
Oh, and regarding the specific condition, ALS, you can be of great help by offering to help the family/loved one's of the dying person. At some point, living with an ALS patient means you are Nursing 24/7. The caregiver must take care of EVERYTHING because the patient no longer has control of their muscles, bodily funtions, etc. This is not a pretty sight. So help those who are providing Care.
My friend was "lucky". His girlfriend decided to Marry him, though she knew they'd only have a year of two together. She became his defacto nurse. 24/7. I cannot imagine her courage.
To any of you in a similar situation, keep in mind how difficult this can be.
Thanks, Brooke, for being a friend to your friend.
I met him through his daughters at first. The girls came to work for me through my business and then met thier family. A bit of a strange story but found out he was a hobbiest and thus became friends when I realized we knew many of the same people. I am one of the few gals in our community that CAN go visit his home and do plan on being there as much as possible.
Sadly, they have nother very ill family member his wife is taking care of which puts an incredible strain on thier family. The girls do as much as they can but can't do it all. I think after the walk on the 20th, it will be easier for me to bring some of my friends around to help and make life a little easier.
I have another friend who owns a construction company who is going to build ramps for the doorways and handrails where needed.
Sadly, I have seen death a bit more than I care to this year. Seeing this happen to our friend is tough to say the least. I think my lesson this year is to understand the cycle of life. Death is a part of it and we all have a purpose on Earth....
Thank you for sharing and I know he reads these posts and feels the love and support.
for the cause instead of just linking us to your main page of your escort site. In my mind it just would help the credibility and I'd be more likely to contribute.
I know you've got a good reputation.. I'm just a cynical guy and think that a proper link would help--I'm just not sure why you would link your escort website and not the cause page. Seems like you'd want people to go straight to the cause page and not just to your escort site which promotes you. Just an FYI. Not meant to offend. And yes, I voted for you in the eyes contest. I am a fan.
I tried to fix it yesterday afternoon but for some reason I can't edit the post.
Here is the link. I wasn't trying to do anything but help a friend in Atlanta. Thanks for the constructive criticism.
xoxo
B
-- Modified on 9/4/2003 10:23:53 AM
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