Archive for April, 2010

Our Great Strides walk was on Saturday! We had such a great turn out!

It was so uplifting to feel so supported. We had family, old friends, friends we hadn’t seen in years, and new friends all there to fight for Ginger. These great strides walks hold a special place in my heart because just last year we found out Ginger had CF and I was so devastated that there really is no word for it and we signed up to walk thinking it would be just a few family members and hopeful a few friends would give up their Saturday to be there. I was shocked to watch the donations and the support come in. Our team grew and I realized we were not alone. We had a team to back us! We would all fight for Ginger. This year the response was even more overwhelming. The team more than doubled and so did our total donations for the Foundation that will save Ginger. Every person that gave to the CFF in Ginger’s name gave more than I ever thought imaginable. It was overwhelming, but at the same time so comforting to know that so many people care and they know this is our only hope. With no government funding it is all of you guys that are pushing a cure closer and closer to our babies. I save every little note, every dollar rose, every email so someday I can show Ginger all the people that saved her life. If it wasn’t for the love of family, friends and strangers I would not have the hope that gets me through the day. I would not have the fight in my heart. I might not even have Ginger. Thank God for all the love! Even 50 years ago when there was not hope the families and their friends worked towards a dream and that is why we are so close now.  I just want to truly say thank you to every single person that made a donation, walked, prayed, and gave us hope. I will never forget it as long as I live. I’m forever in dept to all of you. I have truly seen all the hearts of those around me. I’m thankful for the beautiful supportive people I’ve been blessed to know. Thank you all so so much! We love all of you! We owe you all our thanks. You’re giving us time with our child. There is no bigger gift. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

It’s been a long time since I sat down to write! This month has been nonstop crazy busy. Our Great Strides walk is the 24th and so I’ve been doing all my last minute fund-raising. We have 9 different business’ selling our paper roses for a dollar and I can’t believe the kindness we have been shown from strangers wanting to help stop this monster of a disease from taking more children. I did a letter campaign in our neighborhood. And baked tons of brownies to sell at the school my friend works at. My dad’s work is doing a 50/50 drawing and selling candy bars. A friend I met through another friend gave her talent as a professional photographer to donate all her proceeds from multiple photo shoots to the foundation. (www.stephanienewboldphoto.com) She did all this and has NEVER even met Ginger! My sister in Florida is forming her own walk and a Poker tournament there. My bestfriend also can not be here so she is forming a team where she lives too! We are doing every event we can think of to get the word out that we need help. With NO government funding these donations are our only hope. I have fallen in love with the people that are empathetic and can take a minute to imagine what this race against time would feel like. If everyone would do that and not just turn their emotions off because this makes you feel too much it would make all the difference in the world. I have found there are two types of people in this. One FEELS and can imagine what it might be like to hurt like this, to fear for your child’s life, happiness and future. When you take the minute to “feel” what it might be like you would be willing to give up that cup of coffee at Starbucks and donate $5 or $10… Then there is the other type of person. I try to imagine it is like when we go to the movies. I NEVER pick a sad one. I always tell Derek real life is sad enough I don’t need to go there. I chose to surround myself with the happy things in life. I think that some people see a child is suffering and they stop right there. They don’t read on because that would make it too real and they would rather not “see that movie.” The problem is it’s not a movie it is what people really live through. This is my reality and even worse, this is Ginger’s reality. She is just a child. Life should be easy and care free. She should not worry that a cold is going to give her permanent lung damage or worry about her next breath. Now for the people that chose to be in group two. The ignorance is bliss group imagine this… You want to just live life and feel happy (who doesn’t?) Now imagine the happiness you would feel being part of something huge like saving lives from suffering. You could be part of a CURE! What on earth would feel better? A cure is in reach and you could know in your heart that you kept the research and trials on track, getting these meds to us and SAVING LIVES. This is not an impossible disease to cure. It will be done. We just need help to do it sooner. The sooner part is where my baby girl comes in. As the days fly by she grows and the world keeps turning. Everyday she goes without help shortens her VERY precious life. This is why I’ve been MIA. I can’t stand the thought of it. I will do my part and more if I can add days for her. She deserves it. She’s MY baby. Help me if you can.

http://www.cff.org/great_strides/SarahSampson6603

Ginger Update:

Everyday Ginger does something new. She shocks me with her motor skills. She runs all over the house, picks up the smallest things, climbs, and stacks blocks high, claps, gives high fives,blows kisses, gives kisses, give raspbeeries on your belly, signs “all done” after eating. She is so smart! She has really started to tell us what shes thinking too. She says, “Whats tat?” pointing at everything. She loves yellow stuff and says, “wellow.” She says yes, no, hi, uh oh, ouch, da-da (dad),  na-na (mom), da (dog) or she pants when she sees one. Apparently a very loud happy scream means grandma and grandpa are here. She has quite the sense of humor too. The other night we sat around the table eating and she was all done so she took one thing at a time and dropped it off the side of her tray onto the floor. Food, then toys, then her cup. Derek grabbed the vase of water and flowers in the middle of the table and pretended to hand it to her. You should have seen her eyes light up as she reached out for it. Then she burst into laughter when she realized it was a joke.  She is so happy to be alive and wants to explore all life has to offer. We got her a tent with her birthday money that has balls inside. She brings all of her other balls big and small to the tent and now it seems she thinks baby food jars also belong inside her tent. Life is sweet…

Daddy and Ginger enjoying the sunshine