Timaeus' quilt -- just shipped today!
Our friend, paradox, has a terrible condition. It is called cyclic vomiting syndrome and it has disabled him. From what I understand, CVS comes on somewhat like migraines do -- and in fact the two conditions may be related. When an attack occurs, paradox suffers through long periods of vomiting and can do nothing but sequester himself in a dark room and ride out the illness. These attacks can last for days and come on without warning. It is pure hell.
One thing that is hard for our friend is that, debilitating as this illness is, he looks well. People don't understand what he goes through -- and this itself is a source of pain. Something we want to accomplish with this quilt is to create a tangible reassurance to paradox that he has friends who care, who understand, and who have only the best wishes for him, without judgment.
smarx's quilt
What is a community quilt? It is a colorful quilt that contains messages of love and support from you. Leave a short message for paradox in the comments below and I will transcribe it in archival ink on muslin. My sister and I will sew it into something that will comfort paradox when he is ill and bring him the pleasure of friendship on his good days. He'll be able to wrap himself in loving care anytime.
smarx's quilt, showing the backing
It takes time and material to make a community quilt -- and it is our small living. If you would like to donate toward the cost of paradox's quilt, here is a PayPal link -- or message me for an address if you prefer a check. $15/message is suggested but some give more to cover for those who cannot afford to donate. All messages are welcome! We are only $43 short for this quilt but need 22 more messages.
FloridaSNMOM's quilt -- did you see her lovely diary yesterday?
These people have already left messages for paradox (and here are their messages for inspiration):
1. In your quilt's bright colors
May you be reminded
That you are in our thoughts.
May you find comfort and warmth
From our messages
And hope for a better tomorrow.
Best wishes!
cfk in the Thumb of Michigan
2. paradox, I wish you all the best and hope you feel much better very soon. Hold this quilt and know that we are holding you close in our thoughts. Youffraita
3. paradox, May you feel the love and healing energy of this community as you are wrapped in this quilt. broths
4. Not just a pretty face -- These quilts are strong and have survived incontinence, vomiting, and worse. These wash out; the love remains. ramara
5. May you find healing and peace through the strength of the community as you wrap yourself in this quilt. Avilyn
6. You're never alone as long as you're a Kossack scamperdo
7. paradox ~ May this quilt offer warmth and knowledge that you are loved. Pam from Calif
We need 22 more messages to make this quilt. Don't be shy!
FloridaSNMOM's quilt, showing the backing
These community quilts have been completed to date:
1. othniel (cellulitis and ensuing complications, RIP)
2. exmearden (cancer of heart and lung, RIP)
3. MsSpentyouth (brain tumor)
4. Moe99 (lung cancer, RIP)
5. Michelle Caudle (ovarian cancer, RIP)
6. BFSkinner (lupus)
7. Kitsap River (long wait for kidney donor that ended 2/18/11)
8. Frederick Clarkson (blood clots)
9. Dreaming of Better Days (lymphoma)
10. one bite at a time (lost house and belongings to fire)
11. Timroff (cellulitis)
12. Sol Fed Joe (multiple cancers and health problems)
13. Brubs (AIDS, immune reconstitution syndrome)
14. rserven (gall bladder infection with dangerous complications)
15. grndrush (brain tumor, RIP)
16. ImpeachKingBushII (needs liver transplant)
17. andsarahtoo (lupus)
18. Frank Cocozzelli (muscular dystrophy)
19. luvsathoroughbred (breast cancer)
20. Predictor (stroke and HIV)
21. Austex54 (caretaker to othniel)
22. Theodore Olbermann, RIP
23. cskendrick (antibiotic resistant infection)
24. Keith Olbermann (caregiver to father)
25. Juan (cancer)
26. Ana (a young horse belonging to Juan, hit by truck)
27. MA Liberal’s mother (Alzheimer’s)
28. Charles CurtisStanley (caretaker to Kitsap River)
29. Lorikeet (cervical cancer)
30. Dr. Lori (metastatic cancer)
31. ulookarmless (cancer, heart condition, stroke, RIP)
32. riverlover (caregiver to husband suffering from liver failure, now widowed)
33. Melody Townsel (caregiver to dying father, now deceased)
34. dadanation (AIDS)
35. Dr. William F. Harrison (leukemia, RIP)
36. Larry Bailey (sudden loss of partner to heart attack)
37. ramara (adopted son with fetal alcohol syndrome)
38. Noor B (herniated disk from car accident)
39. Louisiana 1976 (fibromyalgia, severe arthritis, depression)
40. stumpy (MS, stroke, RIP)
41. bleeding heart's niece (cancer, RIP)
42. escapee (failure of corneal surgery)
43. SarahLee (lymphoma, Lyme Disease)
44. Bustergirl (ovarian cancer)
45. mimi's niece (cancer, RIP)
46. ZenTrainer (breast cancer)
47. Miss Blue (severe injury to shoulder, anxiety over coverage for surgery)
48. Granny Doc (bladder cancer, RIP)
49. mango (heart attack)
50. nudger (ovarian cancer, RIP)
51. DaNang65 (heart condition)
52. Lt. Choi (exhaustion)
53. Nurse Kelley (spinal stenosis)
54. Ben Masel (lung cancer, RIP)
55. Otterary Scribe (caregiver, grieving grandfather, grieving widower)
56. Aji (autoimmune diseases incl. fibromyalgia, inflammatory arthritis, & Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus Syndrome)
57. JaxDem (suddenly widowed)
58. DavidW (AIDS and other undiagnosed illness)
59. Jester the Marine (facing amputation of leg)
60. peregrine kate (endometrial cancer)
61. mimi (grief due to family illnesses)
62. alliedoc (endometrial cancer, RIP)
63. labwitchy (diffuse scleroderma)
64. Daily Kos (celebrating community)
65. belinda ridgewood (sudden loss of her mother)
66. princesspat (blood clots, deep vein thrombosis)
67. Scott Olsen (severe head injury)
68. SensibleShoes (caring for sister with brain cancer)
69. Joanna (cancer)
70. cany (grieving caretaker of mother with dementia)
71. Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse (breast cancer)
72. Scottie Thomaston (intense chronic pain from spine, kidney stones)
73. paradise50 (throat cancer)
74. woodtick (caregiver to mother with Alzheimer's)
75. BeninSC (mulitple fractures from bicycle accident)
76. Adrian (colon cancer)
77. Smoh (breast cancer, stroke, depression)
78. slksfca (sudden onset of arthritis requiring hip replacement)
79. arizonablue (grief and exhaustion)
80. Lorikeet (grieving widow - this quilt was a gift from the Rescue Rangers)
81. remembrance (breast cancer) and Glen the Plumber (her caregiver)
82. MassHarry (colon cancer)
83. Regina in a Sears Kit House (severe immune problems from Lyme Disease)
84. nannyboz (grief for father, crippling back pain requiring surgery)
85. raina (grief)
86. earicicle (breast cancer)
87. AntKat (cancers of the throat, RIP)
88. Alma (breast cancer)
89. DarkHawk98 (lung cancer)
90. llbear (brittle diabetic)
91. michelewin (grief and trauma)
92. Dave in Northridge (grieving widower)
93. racheltracks (complications from knee surgery)
94. Ebby (grief and stress)
95. Leaves on the Current (cancer)
96. Carol in San Antonio (cancer)
97. commonmass (grieving widower)
98. Clytemnestra (DES daughter, debilitating abdominal pain and bleeding)
99. Oke (survived life threatening pulmonary infection, COPD, depression)
100. shanikka (diverticulitis, intestinal abscess and life threatening infection)
101. Serpents Choice (grief)
102. smarx (caregiver to mother who has dementia)
103. FloridaSNMOM (COPD, chronic pain, anxiety over access to health care)
104. Timaeus (enormous hernia requiring major surgery)
See also these three posts about the community quilt project:
KosAbility: A Virtual Quilt for Sara and Ann, from Community Quilt recipients
We Have Something to Say to YOU, Sara R and winglion!
Community Quilt FlashMob Brightens up NN13
Timaeus' quilt showing the backing fabric
These quilts are planned:
UnaSpensor (Lyme disease)
Vetwife (caregiver to multiple family members)
MA Liberal (caretaker to her mother who has dementia)
Ellinorianne (rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia)
MsGrin (life long heart problems requiring multiple surgeries)
LorelieHI (PTSD, reversals of fortune, depression)
Goldie inspects Serpents Choice's quilt
PAYPAL LINK FOR PARADOX'S QUILT - THANK YOU!
Boots says, "Thank you for supporting community quilts!
Namaste.