I am from The Blue Star Mothers
of America.
I am hoping you might be able to help with this situation or know of someone else who could. I just found out
about these mothers late last night. If you know of some one who could help, please tell them to email me. Thank you so very much for your time & assistance.
Emily Afuola
erafuola@aol.com
Blue to Gold Liaison - NJ
PTSD - Chairwoman - Blue Star Mothers of America
This is the email I sent out today:
I just got off the phone with
one of our blue star sisters from New Mexico. She and another blue star
mom from Arizona, are both have sons at a place called Kessler Institute for
Rehab in West Orange New Jersey. This is about 15
minutes from where I live. Their sons have severe Traumatic Brain Injuries. One son is in a coma
and the other has a very long, long difficult road to go down. I have to tell you all these two kids are very bad, just about as bad as bad can be.
The chances for them are not good.
I would like to see these families get some support financially as
well as emotionally. I’m looking for some suggestions for a way of giving them a break from the hospital.
These moms need a way to get away from the hospital, even if it is only for a few hours. If anyone knows of anyone I can contact, please
let me know. Maybe someone can donate tickets to a Broadway show, something to give them a break. One of the mothers has been
here since September without a break and has been going from one hospital to another with her son for the last 18 months.
I’m not sure how long the other mother has been going through this, but, I will find out.
Does anyone know of
any comps from any of the Casinos in NJ that would be willing to donate a night’s stay so these two women could get
away from the hospital. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.
As I already mentioned, these two kids are very bad, just about as bad as bad can be. The chances for
them are not good. The mom's, god bless them, I take my hat off to them with pride. Tomorrow is thanksgiving and
they have no place to go. They have no family here. I want to cook them a turkey with all of the trimmings
to bring it to them right down to the China, I will pack everything in the car & off we go.
I will be getting back
to you all with an address which you can send cards and letters of support. I will be knocking on doors here in NJ to help
them as much as I can. Any suggestions on what we can do as a group would be more than welcome and is greatly appreciated.
Please get back to me as soon as possible. One of the moms is here since September.
Thank
you, god bless and have a wonderful thanksgiving
Emily erafuola@aol.com
---------------------------------
UPDATE: The response has been overwhelming,
the mess has been taken care of. The army is now paying the hotel bill. From what I understand they
are ok & have more than enough people who are stepping forward to help them.
Emily ERAFUOLA@aol.com
Please Turn On Your Computer's Speakers And
Press The Below Link.
(If you would like to hear the song again,
please press your REFRESH button.)
SONG
CREDITS:
Words and Music by Francis
Edwards-Australian Vietnam Veteran
Performed by Ron Dyer-American
Vietnam Veteran
Back-up Vocal by Sue Patterson
Musical arrangement by Mike
Wright and Sue Patterson
Recorded and Mastered by Mr. Tony Perry-Star
Recording Studio-Crossville, Tennessee
This song is available on a CD for
$10, plus shipping. All proceeds from this CD go to WELCOME HOME Crossville, Tennessee.
Contact Information:
Dann Dunham
Welcome Home / National Vietnam
Veterans Day Organizer
Contact Dann at (931) 788-2919
.
.