Hey gang, here is a pic of a sign we are donating, it is not much, just a 2x3 sintra panel...but the story here is so sad and desperate I just had to share with you all....This is for a boy, 18 I think who is terminal with cancer. I am not sure how much longer he has to live, but I know they sent him home because chemo was pointless. His mom and step dad are friends and customers of mine, and this just kills me, I have three boys of my own, and this, well just sucks.
Here is the sign....
if anyone wants to help out to make this kids humble dream come true, you can email me, or contact his mom at one of the numbers listed there on the sign.
Thanks for reading this guys.
Barry Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
I can relate. I had a guy come into the shop years ago looking for a girls name for a christmas present. I dug a little deeper and found out the girl was 4 years old and terminally ill also. The lettering was for one of those little electric Barbie jeeps that kids can drive around. I refused to take a dime for the lettering and it made me feel awfully good to donate a few pennies worth of vinyl. The dad nearly cried and then I nearly cried. It was a real effing mess the two of us big fools.
Sometimes you just gotta do what feels right.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
A few of years ago, there was a family close to the race track that I worked at whose daughter had cancer. All of us at the track raised funds in any way we could, passing helmets around in the stands, selling stuff at the track, and just doing what we could to help.
Unfortunately, she passed away in 2000 at the age of thirteen, but her memory lives on with all of us.
In 2001, A team asked me to do a soccer ball design on a pickup truck so big it could be used as the side number on the vehicle (she played soccer and wore #13 on her jersey). It was a tough trick to pull it off, but seeing the truck win the car show first place trophy and the thoughfullness of all the people there is something I have always felt honored to have been a part of. Karina...we miss you.
Rapid
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I'm not in a position to make any financial contribution right now, but depending on what ocean he goes to see... I got an extra surfboard & would gladly take him for a lesson. My house is pretty small, but right now my 3 bedroom rental is empty between tenants, but that is probably not going to last long.
The people of Maui have always stepped up to the plate for similar "make-a-wish" type of visitors I've read about in the past, so if this were his destination I'll volunteer to run an ad seeking housing after the travel plans are complete.
Another sad story I am reminded of was regarding a good friends still-born baby. She had stayed with my first wife & I during most of the pregnancy. I had a small woodshop at the time, so I was asked to build a small casket. I made one out of exotic hardwoods with an ornate cross. no charge of course, but I also felt that I should not photograph my work. Amid my other emotions, I was proud of the craftsmanship but needed to let it go completly, except for the memory.
Posted by Tasmus (Member # 445) on :
bump.....
Posted by Rob McCauley (Member # 2735) on :
Man, I just did some donated printed posters last week for a March of Dimes event. The sister and best friend (all just children) of a boy that passed away from a termin illness had written a book about him called "God's Perfect Child". Complete with Crayon drawings about him and by him. They were having a book signing to raise money for the organization and the posters were for the booth. I had to walk away from the computer 3 times and compose myself just doing the layout. Looking at the photos was killing me. There was no way I was going to be able to read the book, couldn't get past the cover. 2 years ago I probably would have been unaffected by the mere layout, but my wife and I just had our first child, a boy, 5 months ago and man how you do change. They called back a few days later to thank us and tell us how much the family loved the signs. They said that when the father of the boy saw them he cried.
Posted by Rob McCauley (Member # 2735) on :
Double post...oooops
[ August 29, 2003, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: Rob McCauley ]
Posted by Tasmus (Member # 445) on :
Just a sad final update to this thread. It has now become a moot point. This boy, Nathan, died before dawn this morning, after a two year fight with cancer. The family is considering cremation, and scattering his ashes at sea at some point in the future.
Thanks for your thoughts, all those who posted and those who read but did not post.
Barry
Posted by Ryan E Young (Member # 2325) on :
Sorry Barry.
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
God bless the little fella.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
ditto J.D.
That is sad news, but I truely believe he can see the Ocean now.
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