Don't look for my SS/HG Prompts this year
Two weeks and one day ago, I had lunch with shiv5468 and lifeasanamazon. At that time, I was overjoyed to hear that the SS/HG Exchange would probably be starting soon, and started to think of prompts. Alas, life has intervened. I had a bad fall in Paris. My tooth it seemed, was only part of the trauma. By the time the pain in my face and the fog of the concussion had faded, my left knee made it clear that it was in sorry shape. I went to the doctor yesterday, and have begun the merry-go-round of figuring out what is wrong. I could probably manage to fit in the exchange if that was all.
However, my BIL has just heard that he will not be able to proceed to second surgery or return to work for maybe 18 months, as his femur bone has significant disease that time may heal. As many of you know, my nephew, Stevie Ray, attends a independent school so that his amazing potential, can be reached. Chemotherapy at the age of three caused significant learning disabilities. He is number one in all his classes, ranks in the top fifteen in the school overall. It would be tragic if he was not able to continue. He has a scholarship for about half the fees, of $17,000 a year. Then there are books, transport and other costs. My sister and BIL will not be able to put any funds towards this next year. Here is our fundraising web page with more detailed info.
If I had known this in January, when I planned my trip, it would have been canceled and the funds put towards his school fees. Over the next few months, I will be working hard, fundraising and worky-work, to be able to pay for his school next year. I won't be doing all that I did last year, medieval feast, silent auctions etc., as the effort I had to put in was not reflected in the returns overall. Not saying that the money wasn't helpful, it was. However, I was in a state of near collapse by the time October came around. It was very frustrating to see an injured kitten fundraiser, raise five times more than I was able to achieve for a bright, young man who has fought cancer and won. Note, I support animal welfare, my niece manages a no-kill shelter, not anti-cat, or anti-animal welfare, just pissed that fluffy kitties somehow seem more worthy of support. So, I need to find more effective means to inspire relative strangers to help Stevie Ray.
I'm open to any and all suggestions or help.
I'm sorry that I won't be able to be part of the exchange this year. I look forward to reviewing all the art, fic and crafts that will be posted.
However, my BIL has just heard that he will not be able to proceed to second surgery or return to work for maybe 18 months, as his femur bone has significant disease that time may heal. As many of you know, my nephew, Stevie Ray, attends a independent school so that his amazing potential, can be reached. Chemotherapy at the age of three caused significant learning disabilities. He is number one in all his classes, ranks in the top fifteen in the school overall. It would be tragic if he was not able to continue. He has a scholarship for about half the fees, of $17,000 a year. Then there are books, transport and other costs. My sister and BIL will not be able to put any funds towards this next year. Here is our fundraising web page with more detailed info.
If I had known this in January, when I planned my trip, it would have been canceled and the funds put towards his school fees. Over the next few months, I will be working hard, fundraising and worky-work, to be able to pay for his school next year. I won't be doing all that I did last year, medieval feast, silent auctions etc., as the effort I had to put in was not reflected in the returns overall. Not saying that the money wasn't helpful, it was. However, I was in a state of near collapse by the time October came around. It was very frustrating to see an injured kitten fundraiser, raise five times more than I was able to achieve for a bright, young man who has fought cancer and won. Note, I support animal welfare, my niece manages a no-kill shelter, not anti-cat, or anti-animal welfare, just pissed that fluffy kitties somehow seem more worthy of support. So, I need to find more effective means to inspire relative strangers to help Stevie Ray.
I'm open to any and all suggestions or help.
I'm sorry that I won't be able to be part of the exchange this year. I look forward to reviewing all the art, fic and crafts that will be posted.