When I read Ursulafaw’s diaries, I always imagine some kind of Amazing Amazon Warrior Woman writing them — they are so powerful — often full of angst and outrage, always highly informative and always inspiring me to do more for the cause. Just yesterday she authored another one, and the day before that two others, and I’ll bet she’s working on one as we speak. Ursulafaw is a prolific and dedicated activist here at DK. (Please go to www.dailykos.com/… to see her cumulative diaries.) So I was both stunned and dismayed last week when I read Murfster’s plea for help on her behalf. How could I have known that this champion for justice is fighting for survival?
To be honest, I have had some unusual feelings about the fund-raising that goes on here at DK. Nothing negative, just a raised mental eyebrow. Because I’m pretty new. I haven’t even been a member for two years and the sense of community here just keeps blowing my mind. (Yes, and everything that comes with that.) But the power of the pen and the sharpness of mind and the determination of spirit that so many share here, day after day, without ever revealing their own personal challenges, is incredible. It is a force to be reckoned with. And no one embodies that spirit more than Ursulafaw.
I know it breaks her heart and wounds her pride to have to ask for help. Most of us have been there at some point in our lives. I know I have. But the reality is, if we don’t ask for help when we need it — we can literally drown. Or suffocate. Or fall to the depths. It is, in fact, a strength to know when to ask for help. And Ursulafaw needs our help. That’s all there is to it.
I asked her to help me outline the details, of which she makes light:
Bottom line, I need another $2,500 to $5,000 to save 5 teeth including my two front ones, and to get my old car repaired or alternatively junk it and maybe get a small amount of money from the State of California because my old car is now a "gross polluter." And I don't want it to be that, I'm a responsible person and if the car can't be brought into compliance then it needs to be junked rather than contribute to greenhouse gasses and global warming. That's a no brainer. However, I need to get around because I can barely walk and walking to bus stops with a cane, even, is not realistic. I can't even stand for longer than three minutes or so unless I have something to lean on, like a shopping cart. My right leg is severely challenged due to nerve damage from a bad sciatic nerve and I'm in pain from that on a daily basis.
I'm also in daily pain from my teeth, but that will be handled soon because I'm going to lose five of them, including the two in front and two to the side. They are in danger of "going abscess."
In any event, I became disabled three years ago with chronic anemia and my chronic sciatica and I can barely walk, as stated. Now the teeth are going and finally the car won't pass smog so I feel trapped by circumstance, as would anyone. I will be happy to get just another $2,500 to fix the two front teeth and they can pull the rest -- I'm willing to cut my losses.
Later, in my communications with Ursulafaw, she added this:
I'm getting encouraged that this is all doable. Before Murf wrote his piece I felt totally helpless.
If you are able to financially help her, there is a PayPal account in her name, where you can go and easily send her a few bucks with a just a click or two (PayPal.com) under her e-mail address of ursulafaw@gmail.com . If you don’t have a PayPal account, or would rather send a check, you can contact her by Kosmail, and she’ll give you her address. Of course, even if you can’t donate, please feel free to leave her a message of encouragement. Hard times are hard times. It’s the despair more than anything, the hopelessness, when these things happen, that really get us.
'I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?' asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, 'The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die.'
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, 'But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!'
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, 'It made a difference for that one.’
adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)
The good news is, we really can save this one. Thanks for reading this.