Cherie's Progress

Friends forever: Barbara Beasley, Cherie Stannard, Yours Truly

Cherie has a brand new place where you can make TAX DEDUCTIBLE donations! Her uncle worked hard at finding out how to make the possible. She really still needs all the help she can get as she has no health insurance and is relying on Medicaid to pay her bills and they do NOT cover everything she needs.

Cherie and Yours Truly last February on her birthday

President Obama raised a record breaking amount of money for his campaign in $5 increments online. Can you give $5 to help an amazing woman in need?

As of late she has been making progress! She has been gaining strength in both arms and is finding she has more sensation in her right arm. She is able to keep herself up sitting straighter without the benefit of armrests and THIS IS HUGE! It means that the muscles in her torso are getting signals, which means her spinal cord is making pathways and her brain is getting the message. She is also getting tingling in her legs, which is also new. Physical therapy has helped this very much, but PT costs money and Medicaid does not cover all of it.

Here is the link, check it out for yourself and consider a small donation, forward to your family and friends. Do something good for a stranger today. It will make you feel good, I promise.

 http://www.helphopelive.org/find-a-patient/profile/index.cfm/patient/E209D2EA-B1F5-9953-49F117782A848AC7

Cherie's Progress

Cherie (right) and Me sitting on the front porch of her family's cottage on Martha's Vineyard, 1982

Tomorrow is Ground Hog Day. It is also Cherie's 44th Birthday. That means that she and I have been friends for 37 years. Ever since middle school I have called her Hoggatha, on her birthday.

For all of you who have followed along with Cherie's progress on this blog, who have made and sent her art and cards and notes when she was in ICU and at Shepherd Center for Spinal Cord Rehab... I'd love for you to reach out to her once again and send her a birthday email. Yes, that's right, I said email!! Thanks to Dragon software, Cherie now can read and reply to email and Facebook via speech recognition. Email is best because Facebook requires some mouse clicking, which she can't quite do... yet.

Can you take a minute to send her a Happy Birthday email?
cas2268@msn.com

Cherie (right) and I taking a break from touring, Spain, 1985

For those of you who might be new to Cherie's story, the quick synopsis is that she was in a car accident on September 30, 2010 in which she broke her neck and became a quadriplegic. I have been asking artists and folks with big hearts to send her well wishes ever since her accident. www.CherieStannard.com

Cherie has been touched beyond words by the generosity of strangers from far and wide. She has been touched by all the artists who contributed to my fund raising book for her, Art With Heart

Cherie (left) and I on that very same cottage front porch the summer after we graduated high school together, 1987

We have been through thick and thin together, We HAVE BEEN thick and thin together. Do you see us both getting BIGGER and BIGGER in these photos? Well, Cherie was always small, but me...

Cherie (left) and I on that very same cottage front porch, Memorial Day 1988

It has meant a lot to Cherie to have such an influx of kind words from friends of this blog. It has meant a lot to me too. I hope if you have a minute you might send some birthday wishes to Hoggatha. Tell her I sent you. :)

cas2268@msn.com

Cherie's Progress

I know it's been a while since I posted about my friend Cherie. For anyone who has not followed this story, Cherie was paralyzed in a car accident last September 30, 2010. I have known Cherie all my life.

I drove to Vero Beach this weekend to spend Saturday and Sunday with Cherie and her family. We had a great time. Cherie and I enjoyed catching up, eating sushi, and enjoying the warm weather in Vero Beach.

We looked on Facebook at some pictures of "kids" from our neighborhood and people we went to school with. We remembered some stories and people we had not thought about in a very LONG time and it was lots of fun! Cherie and I have been friends since we were about four years old.

I'm SUPER HAPPY to tell you that she has regained some significant movement in her arms (not hands)! She is left handed, and she can move her left arm, from the elbow, in and out, back and forth, and hopes to soon be able to drive her wheelchair with it via a joystick. Right now she is using the head array to control the chair. This is big news, because her injury is C4-5, which is very high up in her neck. The therapists are very excited and continue to use electric stimulation on her hands and arms!

If you are looking for a place to make a small donation that can make a big difference this holiday season, Cherie has a charitable trust in her name: www.CherieStannard.com. You can donate via PayPal or credit card there and any amount helps. Cherie has no health insurance and Medicaid is very limited in what they cover.

If you would like to purchase a wonderful book of art from artists around the world that I put together, Art With Heart is a great coffee table book and 100% of the profit margin goes to Cherie: http://www.blurb.com/books/1854848

I received a very very special gift from Cherie and her sister Sue while I was visiting. Some of you remember that Cherie's mother was an artist, and my first artistic influence. She took me to visit an art museum for the first time, and I used to love to look at her work and watch her use watercolor and pastel at the easel in her studio. This painting, a copy of a Degas, hung in Cherie's home as LONG as I have known Cherie. Jean Stannard painted this painting as a lesson painting, to learn the techniques of Degas. I always admired how beautifully it was executed and was especially drawn to the lighting on the dancer.  I  can still picture where this painting hung in their home as I always enjoyed walking past it, heading up the stairs to Cherie's room!

Cherie and Sue surprised me and GAVE Me this painting! Jean passed away several years ago, and they said that they could not imagine anyone who deserved the painting more than me. They said that Jean would be happy to know I had it.

I can't tell you how much this means to me and how close I have been to Cherie all my life. This gesture was truly generous and I am much appreciative. I just thought I'd share it with you this morning, as we approach Christmas.

Cherie's Progress

Global Peace Film Festival Poster

I'm happy to say that the Global Peace Film Festival is working with me to raise funds for my paralyzed friend Cherie. They have agreed to give 50% of proceeds from the sales of posters to her charitable trust. 

The posters this year feature my original artwork and are all hand signed! 

What's the connection between Cherie and Global Peace Film Festival you ask? They are screening the film "Defining Beauty; Ms. Wheelchair America" here in Orlando. Cherie is making the trip up to Orlando from Vero Beach on Thursday, September 22 to speak at the film screening. It's at the Plaza Cinema Cafe in Downtown Orlando.

Come out and see the film and meet Cherie if you live close.
Click here to purchase your signed copy of the poster and donate to TWO great causes!

Cherie's Progress

Cherie has Gained Some Independence!

I'm happy to say that I went down to Vero Beach to visit Cherie this weekend since I have completed my triathlon and the training is giving way to a little bit more free time. It's absolutely surreal to me that I have the physical ability to accomplish athletic goals and Cherie has to struggle to move her body at all. Despite everything she's been through, you can see from this big smile that she remains in good spirits. She has more movement in her forearms and is driving her temporary electric wheelchair with head controls!

For those of you who are new to this blog, my childhood friend Cherie Stannard rolled her vehicle on the morning of September 30, 2010 and suffered a broken neck. She is now a parapalegic and being cared for by her sister and brother. She had no health insurance and the other driver did not stop. You can see my previous posts about Cherie here.

I am happy to say that when I arrived, Cherie and her sister had made me birthday champagne cupcakes! Sue did the cooking and Cherie said she directed the whole process. Cherie loves to cook, so often times she will talk Sue through some of her favorite creations. One of these awesome dishes were the mozzarella and tomato open faced sandwiches toasted in the oven that Cherie and her sister made us for lunch!

Cherie is scheduled to receive her custom fitted electric wheelchair on Monday, the 18th. She now has a shower chair thanks to her boyfriend's brother in law who donated the funds. You might be surprised to know that a shower chair for a quadriplegic person runs about $2500. Medicaid does not cover this.

Cherie's brother does stretching and range of motion physical therapy with her daily, he gets up at 5am to reposition her in bed and her brother in law gets up at 6am to administer her meds. Her sister does all of Cherie's personal care, and then her sister and brother use the manual Hoyer Lift to transfer her out of bed and into her chair. The dedication of her family to her care is incredible, and this care is a full time job. Visiting this weekend I got a chance to truly appreciate all that is required just to get Cherie up and out of bed, showered, dressed, and into her chair.

We can all learn a little something about love and dedication from this family, and we can all learn something about the power of positive thinking from Cherie. She is looking forward to mastering her voice software and beginning to work on writing a book. When we were kids, Cherie wrote amazing poetry, every single day. She is a talented writer and I can see her reaching her goal of writing a book. The book that she wants to write will help to teach people like you and me that a person with disabilities is just like anyone else you know. As a matter of fact, up until September 30, 2010, Cherie was just like you and me. She had goals and dreams and lived an independent life.

Your whole life can change in an instant, it can happen to any one of us. Cherie wants to encourage us to find it in our hearts to give a smile and an encouraging word to the next person we see in a wheelchair, rather than avert our eyes, look away or give a wide berth. She wants to remind us that that person in the wheelchair has feelings and wants to be accepted just like anyone else.

In order to achieve her goal of writing this book, Cherie needs adaptive equipment that Medicaid is not going to pay for. I have sold  art and created a coffee table art book to help her family with funding such expenses. There is a benefit concert on Martha's Vineyard on July 31st in her honor.

To learn how you can donate funds to Cherie's charitable trust, visit www.CherieStannard.com

To preview and/or purchase a book of art that I designed with donated work from amazing artists all over the world, visit http://www.blurb.com/books/1854848. All funds go to Cherie's family

Art With Heart; Raising Money for Cherie

Indian Paintbrush #1 and #2 purchased by Andrew for Cherie

If you are new to this blog you must know that since last September I've been trying to help out a friend who was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a car accident. See her stories here.

Recently I received photos and a couple of emails from a VERY generous man who purchased two Indian Paintbrush paintings from me when I offered them for sale with all of the profits going to Cherie and her family.

Andrew has had hard times in his life when he was down on his luck and did not know where he was going to get money to pay his rent. He lost his job and at times lived day-to-day. Andrew's mother raised him with an appreciation for art and music that he never forgot, even in hard times.

I am a fan of the band Cake and through their newsletter I found out that they were coming to Orlando. I went online to purchase my tickets and out in the right hand column, I clicked "like" and left a comment that I was a big fan. Andrew is also a big fan of Cake, and he does not live in Orlando, he lives all the way on the other side of the country in CA! He saw my comment in the side bar and decided to follow my art links. Andrew found my blog, saw my Cherie story and was touched, he wanted to help. Just at the time Andrew landed on my blog, I had put a wildflower collage up for sale for Cherie. The original collage sold to the trauma nurse at the hospital who cared for Cherie for over a month. I told Andrew that I would offer a second piece for the same reduced price, with 100% of the money also going to Cherie.

Wildflowers #2 Purchased for Cherie by Crista

Andrew and I communicated back and forth and ultimately he picked TWO pieces he wanted to purchase, Indian Paintbrush #1 and #2. This was a BIG deal for Andrew because it was a LOT of money to spend in one fell swoop, especially for someone who had experienced money troubles and knew how easy it was to loose your job in today's economy. This was also a BIG deal for Cherie and her family, as Andrew purchased two paintings and Crista had already purchased the first one. And it was a big deal for me because I was using my art sales for my very best childhood friend.

Andrew emailed me with some of the most kind words about my art that I have ever received and I wanted to share them with you.

OMG, amazing.  I love the art so much that words can't articulate.  It is what art is - something that you sense and feel and experience.  And I love it.  I am so, so glad I followed my instincts and got over my fears (which I told you about) and went for it.  When I take in art that speaks to me, I can feel it in my gut and my heart and my head and my eyes.  And I am experiencing all of that now.  Art is such a trip that way with me...

I said I can't explain but I'm trying but certainly failing anyway.  So perhaps I should express gratitude.  Thank you for being you and being so nice and patient and generous.  Artists such as yourself, or CAKE or whoever make this world a much better place.

Sincerely,

Andrew

Ultimately Andrew shared one of the paintings with his mother, since she was the one who taught him his appreciation of art and music. He was hesitant to tell me that he had split up the set, but I think giving one to his Mom was really very appropriate.

Indian Paintbrush #1 at Andrew's Mom's house

Indian Paintbrush #2 from Andrews perspective!

"I love it there as it is the last thing see at night and the first thing I see in the morning.  I love it at least as much, maybe even more, than when I opened the box."

I'm teaching a workshop this weekend in Atlanta and if I have said it once to my students, I have said it 10 times, the generosity of others never ceases to amaze me. I have been graciously given art supplies, papers, postage stamp collections, old style Starbucks bags, hand painted papers, and cancelled envelopes all the way from Greece to name a few. Artists even donated their work to Art With Heart my fundraising book for Cherie.

Most recently a friend from our hometown has offered to donate proceeds from a wonderful product he invented, to Cherie's charitable trust. Traveler-ER's PERFECT card is something that everyone and anyone can use to store their medical records and emergency contacts on a tiny USB drive, right in their wallet. Please check it out and remember to use the promo code that gives you free shipping and handling, and makes sure that the money goes to Cherie.

Cherie and I on her birthday

Thanks to EVERYONE who has helped me support Cherie. I have to tell you that just last week her sister in law told me that she has some NEW MOVEMENT in her forearms, we are very excited about the possibilities of this.

Cherie's Progress

It's been a while since I posted about Cherie's progress. For those of you who are new to this blog, you can catch up on the story of my childhood friend who was paralyzed in a life changing car accident on September 30th, 2010 from previous posts.

I have asked you to make and send cards and notes to her, first at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and then at Shepherd Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Center. I have asked you to consider contributing to or purchasing a copy of the book that I created for her on Blurb, with proceeds going to her family.

I'm still trying to help raise money for Cherie and her family. Cherie has no health insurance, she is not married and has no children. Her sister and brother have quit their jobs in order to provide 24-hour care for her in Vero Beach, FL in the home of her sister Sue.  They are still in need of simple things like a front door ramp, widened doorways, a shower chair, and other adaptive equipment as Cherie is paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Recently I reconnected with an old friend from our hometown, Tom Mihalek. Tom, Cherie and I all attended Westfield High School together. When I told Tom of Cherie's story, he wanted to help. Tom's sister was in a life threatening car accident when he was a kid and he remembered how hard it was on his family. It just so happens that Tom Mihalek owns a company that makes a health care related product. This product is the PERFECT Card©, a Portable Electronic Records For Emergency Care and Treatment. Basically this USB card (MAC and Windows compatible) is YOUR portable records protected and in the palm of your hand. Click here to view the emergency records report.

TravelerER has a very special offer, they are willing to donate 100% of proceeds of this product to Cherie's charitable trust fund.

Please click to enlarge the letters here from Tom Mihalek and learn a bit more about his product and how he plans to share the proceeds with Cherie. The offer for you is FREE SHIPPING AND HANDLING when you utilize the CS2011 promo code. This code also signifies that your purchase proceeds will be applied to the Cherie Stannard charitable trust.

Our goal is to sell 1000 pieces! Spread the word to family and friends. This is a great product for a wonderful cause.

BUY IT NOW!
and use promo code CS2011

Cherie's Progress

Me and the Birthday Girl, February 2, 2011

Today got out on the FL Turnpike in my smart car and made the 2+ hour trip to Vero Beach to visit Cherie for her birthday. Got stuck behind a couple of big HUGE trucks carrying citrus on route 60 in Vero and could not help but wonder how the ones on the bottom do not get totally crushed. Then I figured, they probably do since FL citrus is primarily for juice anyway....

Cherie has been home less than a week and they are still trying to work out a system for her care, but overall she seemed really well as did her sister and sister in law. I finally got to meet Milla (say mee-lah) the cat subject of many awesome portraits! She stepped on my iPhone and almost sent a text from the kitchen table.

Cherie's tracheotomy has been surgically closed and should be healed soon, hence the gauze you see at the base of her neck in this photo. Doesn't she just look great with her big smile and her new hair cut? She is in a temporary wheel chair here until her custom made ride is ready.

We spent the day eating, drinking tea, and talking -- just like the old days! We had a very nice visit, her sister Sue and sister in law Alison took advantage of my being there to run some errands and gather up some birthday surprises. The plan is that the family will have order-in Thai food tonight in celebration of Cherie's 43rd.

I'm was really touched at one point when Cherie choked back the tears to tell me that all the cards and letters she has received as a result of this blog have meant more to her than I could ever know. She said that she could never thank me (and all of you) enough for that. She told me that she was amazed at the ripple effect that I had caused, all over the world, by throwing in that stone and asking people to reach out to a stranger in need.

So thank you she says. from the bottom of her heart on her 43rd birthday.

Stylish Blogger Award

This past weekend I received this Stylish Blogger Award from long-time blogger friend Rhonda Carpenter. Rhonda received her award from Peggy Stermer-Cox who told her that it came without strings and that she did not have to do anything but accept it, Rhonda chose to share it with me.

Rhonda wanted to share with her readers about Cherie, she told Cherie's story and about my quest for cards. Rhonda also talked about Art With Heart, my fundraising book for Cherie, and the website my husband and I put together for her family to take donations.

I'd love to ask you again to consider sending Cherie a card for her 43rd birthday which is February 2nd, Groundhog day. On this day, throughout our childhood, I called her "Hoggatha" all day. You may address your card to her this way, and she'll know I sent you!

Cherie Stannard
c/o Sue Merrick
515 11th Court
Vero Beach, FL 32962

Rhonda's card and small paining are in the mail, on their way to Vero Beach, FL where Cherie will be cared for permanently by her sister Sue and her brother Rich and their spouses. This car accident has altered all of their lives forever.

Thank you Rhonda for helping me to spread the word to YOUR readers too. We can all make a difference in our own way by opening our hearts and sharing our talent. Rhonda said it perfectly "Give love away and it will return to you ten-fold!

Rhonda, I did run my first half marathon after the age of 40! I'm currently training for an Olympic distance triathlon which will take place three days before my 43rd birthday. When I am tapped out and I think I don't have anymore gas in my tank, I think of Cherie, and I push harder, farther, than I think I can.

Monica Paints Milla

© 2011 Monica Dahl, sketchbook project and detail, watercolor

Yesterday I received an amazingly heart felt email from Monica Dahl who told me that she had come across Cherie's story via Kimberly Santini's blog when she did the painting of Milla, Cherie's cat. Monica wanted to do the same.

This is a watercolor study that Monica included in her sketchbook project. This little book and the portrait of Cherie's beloved cat Milla, will tour the country and be on display in five cities. Check out the project here: www.arthousecoop.com

Monica asked me to forward these images to Cherie, which I did through her sister Sue. I also wanted to share it with you. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me. Whether it's Kim Santini mailing me palette papers I can use in my collage work, or Aurore Brunet sending me hand-painted papers, or all of you who have sent Cherie cards, notes, donations, and purchased or submitted artwork to Cherie's art book "Art With Heart" (click here to learn more about how to buy the book or donate).

Thanks Monica for sharing this with me, and with Cherie. Since Cherie just arrived home from Spinal Cord Rehab YESTERDAY, these images could not be more timely!

If you are interested in learning more about Monica's artwork, you can email her:
greyhound8@yahoo.com

Cherie's Progress

Cherie (right) and I, somewhere in Spain, 1984

Cherie is making the long trip home to Vero Beach today from Atlanta! She's all finished at Shepherd Center for spinal cord rehab. They are driving 10 hours, stopping every half hour for her to reposition. She is returning to her sister's house and I encourage anyone who'd like to send a hand-made or even a store-bought card to welcome her home! The family has used donated funds from www.cheriestannard.com and the book I produced, to help pay for a manual lift, installing a ramp, and widening doorways in their home.

February 2nd is Cherie's 43rd birthday, won't you consider sending her a note? I'm planning to drive down and visit her. I'm sure that embarking on this new year of her new life is overwhelming, and I know that our thoughts and cards can only help.

Thanks for caring about Cherie:

Cherie Stannard
c/o Sue Merrick
515 11th Court
Vero Beach, FL 32962

Cherie's Progress

Cherie in her room at Shepherd Center in December

It's been a while since I noted Cherie's progress and I wanted to let you all know that her time at the Shepherd Center for Spinal Cord Rehabilitation in Atlanta has been extended! Her original discharge date was January 13, but they have given her another week, now she will discharge on January 19 and hopefully continue to receive outpatient services after that, until the end of the month.

Since Cherie has no health insurance and the rehab is being paid by Medicaid, we are all very happy and thankful for this extra time she has to perfect her skills with adaptive equipment. When I was there she told me that she was learning to operate the computer completely by voice, with Dragon software. She was also learning to control her electric wheelchair with "sip and puff" technology. Basically, since she is paralyzed from the shoulders down, all adaptive equipment utilizes "sip and puff" which is basically using a tube positioned near her mouth at all times, to blow or inhale, as a controller for highly specialized equipment.

Cherie maintains a positive attitude, she has made friends with another patient across the hall from her and now has someone to talk to and share down-time with. Her sister told me that they all enjoyed Christmas dinner in Cherie's room. It snowed in Atlanta this Christmas, I think it was the first time it did that in about 100 years! Maybe this is a sign of very special things to come for Cherie.

I wanted also to report that my fundraising book Art with Heart has raised over $500 to date for Cherie's family, which they are utilizing to convert her sister's home to accommodate Cherie, building ramps and widening doorways. The biggest expense they face is a customized van, the expense of this is overwhelming.

visit www.cheriestannard.com

2010 Reflections - Visiting Cherie

I guess one can always find good in tragedy. I am happy to have been able to help Cherie's family in their time of need with the creation of the fund raising book Art with Heart which gives $12 to her family for each purchase. Most of all I am happy to have had the means and support from my fantastic husband (and kids!) to visit her every week in Fort Pearce when she was at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and now to have been able to fly from Orlando to Atlanta to visit her here at Shepherd Center Spinal Cord Rehabilitation.

Cherie remains very positive, she is smiling and focused on her recovery. She tells me that she refuses to allow negativity into her heart. She is not bitter or mad, she is just staying focused on the positive,

Since being here we have shared long talks over tea, we looked at photos from our trip to Spain in high school, we looked over our 1982 Science Class final exam The Sludge Test, and we have taken a lot of trips down memory lane.

I am so lucky to have a friend that has been in my life for so long.

Update on Cherie at Shepherd Center

Cherie is small blonde girl in poncho, holding her shoulders is her sister Sue, who is holding her shoulders again these days. Off to the far left in the orange turtle neck is her brother Rich

Cherie has spent the last three days straight OFF the ventilator! This is a huge step and was the focus of the holiday weekend at Shepherd Center. Her sister and brother have been there with her, learning how to participate in her care; skills for the future. On Dec 9, their spouses will also be making the trip to Atlanta to take orientation classes as well as cheer Cherie on in her progress. This family is amazingly dedicated, and as a result they are financially burdened. If anyone has any ideas on how to help with living expenses for Cherie's support system, ideas are welcome. Both her sister and brother have had to quit their jobs and commit to providing her care upon release from Shepherd in 4-6 weeks.

Thanks for the Small Things

Cherie on a boat somewhere exotic!

Today I just want to post this email that I received from Cherie's sister last night. I wanted to remind myself and all of you, how thankful we should be every day for the little things in life we take for granted.

Happy Thanksgiving. Cherie is getting settled in to Shepherd Center.  She has done well her first couple of days although she had been on the vent since she arrived mainly because of some secretions due to the transport and the need for the staff at Shepherd to do their own assessment of her.  She was up in her tailor made wheel chair today for a few hours and she said it was very comfortable.  They also started her on solid food and drink today!!!  She has not had nearly as many food requests as drink requests but this is very exciting!  We all shared chocolate cake tonight.  Tomorrow they will be moving her out of ICU and she will be able to get in her chair and tour around the halls a bit.  Rich and I are getting acclimated to our new surroundings as well.  We did take one of the family care lectures this morning.  It was good to get a chance to talk with a couple of the other families here.    The mailing address is the same as I had given in an earlier email: Cherie Stannard C/O Shepherd Center 2020 Peachtree Rd NW Atlanta, GA 30309 Love, Sue

Raising Money for Cherie

Wildflowers #2 / 12x16 / collage on cradled panel / ©St.Hilaire Nelson

Crista Porpiglia (above) purchased a Wildflowers collage from me in my efforts to raise money for Cherie's family in their amazing support of her in this awful situation. She contacted me via Facebook and told me she really wanted to help and that she really enjoyed my artwork. It's not a coincidence, Crista has been Cherie's Trauma PA since she arrived at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center on September 30!

Both Cherie's brother Rich and sister Sue had to commit to caring for her 100% after her rehab at Shepherd Center in order for Cherie to be admitted. They both have had to quit their jobs and head to Atlanta with her tomorrow morning in order to receive full nursing training for Cherie's needs which will involve 24-hour care.

Many thanks to Crista in her donation of 100% of the purchase price of this collage which was transferred to Cherie's sister Sue today.

You do not need to make a big purchase to help this family! We are working on a donation website as soon as we can get a trust fund setup for Cherie. I will also have a new address for Holiday cards which I will let you know as soon as I find out.

I'll be talking to Cherie tomorrow morning at 7am before she flies out, thanks to Crista and her cell phone!!!

Cherie's Progress

Cherie visits me at college, 1986

I visited Cherie today and I'm happy to say that when I got in the room I HEARD her say "Oh, Hi!" Actually with her own voice. She has been doing 2+ hours at a time off the ventilator lately, with a speech collar in place so that she can use her voice and be heard. She asked the nurse's to set her up so that when I got there, she could talk.

I nearly cried, I have not heard her say anything since September, and to actually be able to talk back and forth with her was wonderful.

One of the things she told me in about an hour of speaking was "I am getting so many nice cards, EVERY single day. I want so badly to tell you something to write on your blog, to thank people." She was too tired to dictate today, but I told her next week we will see how she feels. Stay tuned for that!

She told me a story of a a card she received from a woman who told her she had bought it years and years ago and saved it, she loved it so much. This week, she sent it to Cherie. Thank you all so much for your kindness and generosity.

She told me that yesterday she called her brother Rich, and actually told him on the phone, "Happy Birthday" He cried. Wouldn't you?

Rich lives in Colorado and since the accident has made two trips back and forth to Florida. Since Cherie's father died, Rich has tried to be her protector in this ordeal. He has quite a heavy burden on his heart and mind.

Raising Money for Cherie

Wildflowers, 12x16, collage on cradled panel

Cherie's brother Rich has been flying back and forth from Colorado to FL to spend weeks at a time at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center with her. Rich is a professional musician (drummer) and the economy has taken its toll on his line of work.

Rich is headed back to FL tomorrow, after hearing Cherie speak on the phone to him and actually say "Happy Birthday!"

On my drive home from my visit today, I was thinking about how much money Rich and his wife Alison have had to come up with just for plane tickets. The first time they both came, this will be Rich's third trip.

I've decided to offer this collage "Wildflowers" which is being considered for fine art reproduction by Pier One Imports. ALL of the funds from the sale will go to Cherie's brother and his wife to help pay for plane tickets either to FL or to GA when Cherie gets into Shepherd Center for rehabilitation. There's a Colorado postage stamp included in there with Rich in mind.

Retail price on this piece is $495, I'm offering it online for $395 to anyone who wants to support a good cause, and buy a piece of art. I'm offering FREE shipping to anywhere in the US.

Wildflowers
12" x 16" (30.5cm x 40.7cm)
collage on Panel
$395 plus $0 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.