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Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorDec 20, 2006

Hi all.

Something truly tragic has happened here in Chico.  A very young girl, riding with her mother in their SUV, was paralyzed in a T-bone type accident near her school about a month ago.  An EMT who witnessed the accident gave her CPR and saved her life.  She's been in Pediatric ICU for much of the time since the accident.  I heard about the accident a week or so after it happened but it wasn't until I read the blog that has been set up in Taylor's name tonight that the true extent of her situation really sank in, and I just feel compelled to DO SOMETHING for this little girl.

My husband knows the family personally; I do not.  But my heart still absolutely breaks to read that a child this young and precious and new can't speak due to the ventilator in her tracheotomy hole, and must mouth her wants and needs and questions about why she's in the hospital, and what happened to her, to her family.  She's scheduled for surgery to install a "phrenic pacer" which is essentially a mechanical diaphragm that works something like a pacemaker, only rather than jumpstarting her heart for every beat, it will jump start her lungs so they'll breathe without a ventilator.

Her recovery will be long and arduous and at this point, given her upper spine injuries and the time that's elapsed without significant improvement, the prognosis is likely not good in terms of regaining feeling and movement below her neck.  Honestly, it almost brings me to tears just thinking about her in the hospital with injuries like these, especially at Christmas time.

Chico as a community has really rallied around the family, with fundraisers and letters of encouragement.  Schoolmates visit her in Sacramento, which is 1.5 hours from here and which is where she's currently hospitalized.  She was visited by the wives of the Sacramento Kings basketball team; that sounds like a bright spot in her day.

I got to thinking, though, that at a minimum, we here at TEDDY TALK could offer a powerful force of prayer and healing thoughts for this sweet little, innocent girl.  And beyond that, I got to thinking that we are a charitable and inventive bunch, historically.  I don't remotely want to pressure any one of you individually -- or even the lot of you, globally -- to contribute either cash or goods for this girl.  But I did want to share this little girl's story with you all, in the hopes that we soft and cuddly, teddy bear makin', artistic types could possibly put our heads together and brainstorm something really wonderful and childlike for her... perhaps even something we do together.  I dunno.

Please share any thoughts you may have on this subject.  I'd like to do something for this little one but other than whipping up a bear for her, or a doll, I just don't know what that may be.

I'm including the very first, and the most recent, posts from her blog.  You can read it for yourself at the link provided below.  There are also places to contribute to her Hope Fund, even via PayPal, if you're so inclined.

Thanks for any great ideas you may be able to offer.  If anyone wants to send items like bears, etc., I can collect them here and either bring them over to her personally or send them to her en masse.  I'm not sure she's having visitors who are "strangers" like me at this time since it's very tiring for her. 

With gratitude,
Shel

NOVEMBER 16

What happened...

On Thursday, November 16, 2006 Tammy and Taylor were in a car accident near Taylor's school. The car was hit in the center of the passenger's side. Taylor was sitting in the rear seat of an eight passenger SUV. Taylor sustained upper spinal injuries. An EMT, who witnessed the accident, saved Taylor's life by performing CPR at the scene. Thankfully Tammy only suffered from some minor facial cuts and bruises. After a short visit at the Chico Hospital, Taylor was Life Flighted to UC Davis Medical Center. She is currently being cared for in the Pediatric ICU. Currently, Taylor does not have feeling below her collarbone. She is awake and alert. Taylor recognizes family and friends and is able to communicate by nodding her head. She is not able to talk, as she is connected to a ventilator to assist with breathing.

On Friday, November 17, 2006 surgery was performed to fuse cervical 1 - 4 vertebrae. A metal plate was also installed to stabilize her spinal cord.

Update DECEMBER 17, 2006

It looks like Taylor will be moving to Shriner's Hospital in Sacramento at the beginning of January. From what we understand, Taylor will be the first patient on a ventilator accepted to Shriner's Hospital. After Taylor's transfer from UC Davis Medical Center to Shriners, Taylor is scheduled to undergo surgery to install a phrenic pacer. After the surgery they will slowly wean her off of the ventilator. Taylor will continue her recovery and rehab at Shriners.

Taylor is starting to get up in her chair twice a day and even got to go outside to visit the dogs (Chico and Amanda) the other day. She continues to do her physical therapy once a day. She has started doing neck exercises. The excercises were difficult for her at first, but are starting to get easier the more she does them.

The doctors are talking about modifying her tracheotomy to hopefully allow her to speak. The schedule on this is unknown right now.

We would like to thank Round Table Pizza, Costco, and all of our friends and family who helped put together the fundraiser last Thursday. We wish that we could have been there to thank you in person. Everyone's support is felt here in Sacramento.

Taylor got a visit from her friend Xavier yesterday. They had a good time together. Taylor always enjoys visits from her friends. She does get very tired after her visits, so we have to keep visits short. Taylor's teacher sent Taylor her homework yesterday, so that should keep her busy for the week.

Taylor got a visit from the wives of the Kings basketball team last week. She now has an array of Kings paraphenalia, including a basketball, calendar, and a pom pom.

http://taylorparker.blogspot.com/

Cleathero Creations Dec 20, 2006

Oh dear what a beautiful looking child.  I will hold her in my thoughts but if there is something else we can do as a group I would be in it!

doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorDec 20, 2006

Right I was feeling so sad for this little girl but once I saw her picture it bought me to tears. Lets all work out what we can do for this darling little girl.

Hugs Jane.

patsylakebears Dec 20, 2006

What a tragic thing to happen to someone so young. My heart goes out to her and her family... I will keep them in my prayers.. What about TTers having an auction to raise money for Taylors hope fund. I will donate a bear if we do this.

Jodi Falk Dec 20, 2006

Oh dear GOD in Jesus name PLEASE heal this small child !!! Let her recovery be quick .Please be with her mother as I am sure she is just crazy with fear. Father GOD re mold this little girls life into something that will bring you glory and bring them both joy.

                              In JESUS name

What ever you guys decide to do I am in. Maybe a gift package of teddies would be nice,as she is recovering the little girl can look at them, bears always bring me to a smile , I am sure a small girl would respond as well.

Sandi.S. Dec 20, 2006

Oh, Shelli, how tragic. I am tearful thinking of this poor girl. I will most certainly keep her in my prayers and I would love to help out somehow. I'm just not quite sure about the "how." If you do an auction, I'll do my best to have a bear ready. Maybe a showering of cards. Kids always love to get mail, and especially from far away! I bet she'd be tickled to get mail from England or Australia. Whatever you decide, just let me know and I'll be there to help. :hug:

Stitch Dec 20, 2006

Shelli,
As your husband knows the family, is there a way we can find out what she needs..ie a piece of equipment, that would help her in some way. Then we could perhaps work together to fund raise in the short term and long term to raise funds for that equipment.

Tracy Dec 20, 2006

  Oh no!  What a horrible thing to have happened to this precious child and her family.  My thoughts and prayers are certainly with her.  I am praying for a miracle.

I haven't any new ideas other than the excellent ones already posted, but will think on it.  I do agree with Sandi though about kids loving cards/gifts in the mail.......especially from far away.  A very special angel sent a package to my boys just after they lost their grandfather recently.......from half way around the world.  It was such a bright spot in an otherwise very difficult time..........and I will always be thankful for that.  My youngest  has attached himself to a teddy bear sent to him.  He named it after his grandfather, sleeps with it every night, and takes it everywhere possible.  The gift of the teddy means so much to him......a connection with his grand dad.   Anyway, I would say I lean more towards the sending of cards and gifts if people are able to do so.    Doesn't have to be an artist bear.......anything that is from the heart is great.

Count me in......whatever is decided!

Love, hugs, and many prayers to Taylor and her family.
Tracy

Tracy Dec 20, 2006

Oh...I just read Stitch's post.  Awesome idea that is too!!   Perhaps we could do a combination of cards and the fundraiser idea for needed equipment?  I do think a teddy needs to figure in somewhere too!

Tynnateddy Dec 20, 2006

This tragic story has brought me to tears....as my daughters name is also Taylor and she has been passed away for some time now....so what ever we can come up with count me in.
Bear Hugs for Taylor
Tynna

millie Dec 20, 2006

Count me in for whatever needs to be done.  Most importantly, I will keep this girl and her family in my prayers.

Michelle Helen Dec 20, 2006

Patsy wrote: What about TTers having an auction to raise money for Taylors hope fund. I will donate a bear if we do this.

Shelli: What a tragic story for this little girl. I too will keep her in my prayers. I think Pasty has a good idea about an auction....Another thought, is when she is out of the hospital, somebody contact "make a wish" foundation to see if they can grant something she wants...

Michelle

Judi Dec 20, 2006

     

Poor child.  I truly believe in the power of prayer. :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug: 

Life can sure change on a dime.

She will have my prayers for sure. :hug: 

TamiL Dec 20, 2006

That is terrible, poor little girl.  I will be keeping her and the family in my prayers  :pray:  :pray:  :pray:

Tami E Dec 20, 2006

I will be praying for Taylor and her family. Also if we do an auction or something I will participate. :pray:

chrissibrinkley Dec 20, 2006

Taylor will be in my prayers, her family as well.  I'm in with anything that the group/you decide to do.  You have to give to receive in this life and I can't think of a better way of giving right now for myself.

Just some ideas....for a small starter what about a Valentine's event. Kids love a special "mailbox" full of Valentines.  Instead of swapping cards with each other why not send a special Valentine Wish to Taylor. The cards could be sent to you Shelli and then packaged up specially from us to Taylor (?) Just one idea. 

On the larger scale a Valentine's auction event could coincide with the cards....the auction funds following the cards. Gives participating artists time to create.  With an auction we could create a uniform printable flyer and formal email for her immediate supporters to print and distribute, get the word out.  Each bear artist participating would use the same.  Make it quick &  easy for everyone to uniformly promote and in turn raise as much money possible...if that's the route chosen.

Just one piece of info that may be passed along. The following might assist in any and all programs available to Taylor and her family.  The info can be found on the Christopher Reeve Foundation site.
"Please note that CRF does not make grants to individuals.  Individuals seeking resources that may be able to provide financial assistance should contact the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, a program of CRF, at www.paralysis.org or call toll-free 1-800-539-7309 and ask to speak with an Information Specialist."

:hug:
Please keep us posted,
Chrissi

Tami E Dec 20, 2006

Really good ideas, Chrissi.

Aleta - The Silly Bear Dec 20, 2006

This just breaks my heart.      It's those darned curve balls that life throws out there.   

You know I'll contribute.  This has been a rough year end for a lot of people.   

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Bonnie Dec 20, 2006

This has absolutely brought me to tears. Simply heartbreaking. My heart goes out to this little girl and her family. Even though I live far away, this hits very 'close to home.' I am praying for Taylor and her family and will continue to do so. Like Judi, I believe in the power of prayer! God is bigger than any problem we have and miracles do still happen.

I like Chrissi's idea of valentine cards and benefit. Whatever we decide to do, I'm in.

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorDec 20, 2006

You guys are truly and absolutely the best people on earth.  As hollow and insufficient as that sounds, I mean it with all my heart. :hug:

I don't think that, given Taylor's condition, there's any rush to act here, so the Valentine's idea, complete with cards and an auction, plus flyers to coordinate auction views for Chico residents and our own family and friends and mailing lists, really appeals to me.  Thanks to all of you for proposing one idea, and then another, and so on, such that this concept took form.  I think it's viable and gives us a lot of lead time to come up with something that will really make a difference and be visible in Taylor and Tammy's lives... and the life of her dad, Chad.

You're all very appreciated, truly.

Sandi.S. Dec 20, 2006

I think the Valentine's idea sounds great. On one hand it will be something personal for Taylor to enjoy, and on the other we can also contribute to her fund. And plenty of time for it to be doable with lots of participants.

bearsbybeesley Dec 20, 2006

Awe Shelli! How very tragic! We are all going to say many prayers for this little one and her family. What an aweful thing for anyone to go through. I am so pleased you posted to us as you are so right, the power in prayer is magic!

Hugs Louise

K Pawz GuestDec 20, 2006

:pray: Thoughts and prayers go out to sweet little Taylor and her family :hug:  :hug:

Hugs,
Krista

WildThyme Dec 20, 2006

Oh my gosh....     

I'll certainly keep her in my prayers.  I can't even imagine.....

I'd love to offer my support in any way I can.  Just let us know what needs to be done Shelli!  I love the idea of a bunch of Valentines day cards as well.... I know my own daughter LOVES to get mail!  And I'd be more than happy to get a bear ready for a February auction.

Kim Basta

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorDec 20, 2006

I'm sure Taylor will have huge and continued expenses for her entire life after this terrible accident.  My mom's ex-husband was actually paralyzed in a diving accident in his late teens and so we have some familiarity with how this kind of thing works.  It's not easy on the families involved no matter what aspect you're looking at.

Having said that, I believe that the family does not struggle financially and I am assuming -- and admit as much -- that they are well insured.

I'm wondering what you all think about auctioning bears, vs. sending them to Taylor to be her company and "friends."  The money would, I'm certain, be absolutely helpful and welcome, and I might be making erroneous assumptions about how critically it is -- or isn't -- needed here.  But perhaps while Taylor is in recovery, something tangible would be more appreciated by her?

I'm not pushing for one option (bears) over the other (auction winnings) because they're both fantastic gifts, and I thank you for taking this little girl and her situation into your hearts.  I'm just hoping for further brainstorming and input from you all on this subject of bears vs. auction income as the actual gift we ultimately send.

Please continue to post your thoughts!

Big love to you all and bless you, truly,
Shel