Some difficult news from Oakvillian
Dec 12th 2016, 6:00 pm
#91
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
Well, bloody hell. I just popped in to see what Schnooks and Heather have been up to on my behalf... and now I'm sitting in the hospital reading this thread and blubbing like a very blubby thing. Thank you, everyone, you're lovely people.
It's been an absolutely hellish and yet completely life-affirming month. Rosie is fighting hard: long-stay ICU patients typically have all sorts of challenges in addition to the ones they came in with, and we've certainly had our fair share of those, but in general the number of tubes being removed has exceeded the number of new ones being put in, and Rosie is in remarkably good spirits considering all that she has been through. She's now being helped into a wheelchair for an hour or two a couple of times a day, and is pissed off enough with the number of people it takes to help her with even the most mundane of tasks that she is determined to regain her independence: when challenged to a game of Connect Four by one of her nurses, the forfeit Rosie asked for if she won was "an hour of being left alone with nobody bothering me."
We have, too, been genuinely overwhelmed (to the point of sobbing, frequently) by the generosity of local, global and virtual friends. The GoFundMe thing is completely extraordinary: a friend set it up because we'd sorted out a bank account but people who didn't have access to RBC couldn't contribute. We had no idea it would take off like it has, and with typical British horror at discussing anything connected with money in public, we find the whole thing acutely difficult and embarrassing. We have no idea, at this stage, what financial help Rosie will need, either in the short term as we prepare the house to accommodate a ten-year-old in a wheelchair, or in the long term as she deals with a lifetime of paraplegia and all its attendant challenges. I would like to think that a little bit of it will be set aside for her first full-contact wheelchair sports chair, I reckon that would be a good ambition to encourage!
I really, really appreciate everyone's messages of support. I'll pop in here from time to time over the next few weeks but probably won't post much. Thank you all
It's been an absolutely hellish and yet completely life-affirming month. Rosie is fighting hard: long-stay ICU patients typically have all sorts of challenges in addition to the ones they came in with, and we've certainly had our fair share of those, but in general the number of tubes being removed has exceeded the number of new ones being put in, and Rosie is in remarkably good spirits considering all that she has been through. She's now being helped into a wheelchair for an hour or two a couple of times a day, and is pissed off enough with the number of people it takes to help her with even the most mundane of tasks that she is determined to regain her independence: when challenged to a game of Connect Four by one of her nurses, the forfeit Rosie asked for if she won was "an hour of being left alone with nobody bothering me."
We have, too, been genuinely overwhelmed (to the point of sobbing, frequently) by the generosity of local, global and virtual friends. The GoFundMe thing is completely extraordinary: a friend set it up because we'd sorted out a bank account but people who didn't have access to RBC couldn't contribute. We had no idea it would take off like it has, and with typical British horror at discussing anything connected with money in public, we find the whole thing acutely difficult and embarrassing. We have no idea, at this stage, what financial help Rosie will need, either in the short term as we prepare the house to accommodate a ten-year-old in a wheelchair, or in the long term as she deals with a lifetime of paraplegia and all its attendant challenges. I would like to think that a little bit of it will be set aside for her first full-contact wheelchair sports chair, I reckon that would be a good ambition to encourage!
I really, really appreciate everyone's messages of support. I'll pop in here from time to time over the next few weeks but probably won't post much. Thank you all
Dec 12th 2016, 6:24 pm
#92
Citizenship Nov 10 2016!!
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Stewiacke Nova Scotia
Posts: 6,659
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
Thinking of you all and sending many positive vibes and best wishes to Rosie, stay strong, fantastic to see the support near and far.
Dec 13th 2016, 11:01 am
#93
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Whitby, Ontario
Posts: 730
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
Horrible, tragic incidents like this have the effect of bringing out the very best in people. We all feel so helpless reading Rosie's story that the very least we can do is send some dollars that will at least help her along the recovery path and remind the family they are in the thoughts of so many people around the world.
She certainly sounds a strong tenacious personality and that will be a real plus over the coming weeks and months, with a great family and community to support her.
I can't begin to imagine what you're all going through, emotionally and practically, but Rosie's in my thoughts regularly through the day, as I'm sure is the same for many others in this community.
She certainly sounds a strong tenacious personality and that will be a real plus over the coming weeks and months, with a great family and community to support her.
I can't begin to imagine what you're all going through, emotionally and practically, but Rosie's in my thoughts regularly through the day, as I'm sure is the same for many others in this community.
Dec 13th 2016, 11:45 am
#94
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
Been following the story and just want to say from t'other side of the world, what an amazing place BE is, how everyone always rallies around those that need it year after year. It's an awesome community. All the best Oak, Rosie and family. Rosie sounds like a fabulous little girl and I'm sure once she's in control of those wheels there'll be no stopping her.
Dec 13th 2016, 1:25 pm
#95
Concierge
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Oakville, ON, CA
Posts: 8,320
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
There is now a public Facebook page for Rosie that the neighbours have set up, you can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/TheRosieSpa...c_ref=NEWSFEED
Rosie had a visit this week from three members of the Canadian Women's Soccer Team from Rio, who won Bronze. One of them is also from Oakville and attended Rosie's school. The photo and a bit more information is here: https://www.facebook.com/TheRosieSpa...type=3&theater
(You don't need a Facebook account to see the post, you'll just have to ignore a prompt asking you to sign up.)
Rosie had a visit this week from three members of the Canadian Women's Soccer Team from Rio, who won Bronze. One of them is also from Oakville and attended Rosie's school. The photo and a bit more information is here: https://www.facebook.com/TheRosieSpa...type=3&theater
(You don't need a Facebook account to see the post, you'll just have to ignore a prompt asking you to sign up.)
Last edited by SchnookoLoly; Dec 13th 2016 at 1:27 pm.
Dec 13th 2016, 3:14 pm
#96
Concierge
Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,211
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
There is now a public Facebook page for Rosie that the neighbours have set up, you can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/TheRosieSpa...c_ref=NEWSFEED
Rosie had a visit this week from three members of the Canadian Women's Soccer Team from Rio, who won Bronze. One of them is also from Oakville and attended Rosie's school. The photo and a bit more information is here: https://www.facebook.com/TheRosieSpa...type=3&theater
(You don't need a Facebook account to see the post, you'll just have to ignore a prompt asking you to sign up.)
Rosie had a visit this week from three members of the Canadian Women's Soccer Team from Rio, who won Bronze. One of them is also from Oakville and attended Rosie's school. The photo and a bit more information is here: https://www.facebook.com/TheRosieSpa...type=3&theater
(You don't need a Facebook account to see the post, you'll just have to ignore a prompt asking you to sign up.)
Dec 14th 2016, 11:53 am
#97
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
It's still going up. That 25k is within reach (and that doesn't include the RBC donations).
Good stuff.
Good stuff.
Dec 14th 2016, 1:27 pm
#98
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,032
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
I went in to my local RBC branch yesterday and when I handed over my post it note with the details written on it they said, 'you are the second person this morning to come in and donate to this' so the evidence suggests that the RBC fund should be substantial too.
Dec 14th 2016, 1:43 pm
#99
Concierge
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Oakville, ON, CA
Posts: 8,320
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
For those in Oakville or the surrounding area, Rosie's school friends are doing a huge bake sale fundraiser on Sunday at the Canadian Tire at Trafalgar and Dundas. The info is on Facebook. There will also be a raffle with a whole host of great prizes on the list.
You can also buy raffle tickets by messaging the people linked on the Facebook post if you can't make it in person.
Dec 14th 2016, 3:12 pm
#100
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,021
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
Dec 14th 2016, 3:20 pm
#101
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
Probably just a clueless jobsworth (unless you were depositing several millions).
Dec 14th 2016, 3:38 pm
#102
Concierge
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Oakville, ON, CA
Posts: 8,320
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
You are most definitely a shady lady...
Dec 14th 2016, 4:16 pm
#103
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,032
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
I got the impression that my experience was somewhat smoothed by the person before me. The teller called over the supervisor and said, 'is this what you just emailed us about?' and that was when the supervisor said there had been someone in before that day. I told them the story, I am hoping they might chip in a bit themselves.
Dec 14th 2016, 4:59 pm
#104
Happy
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,942
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
Such a tough journey for Rosie and her family, sending much love
Dec 14th 2016, 5:19 pm
#105
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: Some difficult news from Oakvillian
As I've failed to get into RBC during opening hours & looked unlikely to do so anytime soon I've donated through GFM instead. It's certainly a convenient way to do so & as I've said upthread their take is 8% or so.