WEHT: Bill Messner-Loebs? (Publisher's Weekly)
Years ago, this is the very first cause I blogged about on here. In many ways, it was our first step toward Ordinary People Change The World and the Superman house.
So nice to see the happy ending. And let's be clear, not everything needs to have the happy ending, but so nice to see that Messner-Loebs found one.
I've been getting lots of requests for signed books for the holidays, so if you missed any of the events for The Book of Lies, here're some spiffy new copies, superly book-plated inside. And all the money goes to charity for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
Good deed. Nice gift. And free sig.
As the fundraising for the Superman house dies down, we're left looking at other things to do with OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.
Here's one (a friend of one of our nearest and dearest).
Just donate a dollar. That's it. One dollar. And let's see where we go.
On July 22, 2008, Michael Stolzenberg was rushed to the emergency room with a bacterial infection that was not responding to antibiotics. Shortly after he arrived, he went into septic shock and the doctors were forced to put him on a ventilator. His condition quickly worsened to the point of hopelessness, and as a last ditch effort, he was put on continuous dialysis. The doctors and nurses at Joe DiMaggio's Children's Hospital made heroic efforts over the next seven weeks to keep Mikey alive.
Miraculously, Mikey survived with his intelligence and wit; however, oxygen depravation to his limbs has resulted in the amputation of both hands and both feet. Mikey will have to live with the results of his illness for the rest of his life. At this point, it is unknown whether Mikey will be able to write, use a computer or even feed or dress himself, much less participate in the every-day normal activities that he so enjoyed prior to his illness. Up until July 22nd, Mikey was an avid athlete and had just earned the starting quarterback position on his pee wee tackle football team; he also enjoyed playing lacrosse, riding his bike and all of the other activities most 8-year-olds thrive on.
Michael's only hope of regaining some independence and normalcy in his life is to have superior prosthetics. The prosthetics that will allow him to participate in physical activities and to take care of himself in any manner are not the type approved by health insurance. While many amputees can survive with the basic prosthetics covered by insurance, they are usually only faced with one amputation, not four. Compounding the issue is that Michael is only 8, and the four prosthetics will need to be replaced bi-annually as he grows. This is not a task for any one family to face alone.
Mikey dreams of walking and running again, of being able to feed himself, and having some independence and quality of life. Please help us make all of Mikey's dreams come true! There are no limits!
Miles for Mikey
THERE ARE NO LIMITS!
Help Mikey re-gain his quality of life by walking for him, making a donation to the Trust, or by getting others you know to donate! Keep this email going by forwarding to all you know.
Please make checks payable to "the Michael Stolzenberg Trust" and mail to 1840 Main Street, Ste 202, Weston, FL 33326
Sponsor Levels
Superbowl $2,500
Touchdown $1,000
Field Goal $500
Safety $250
Extra Point $100
Sack $50
First Down $10
Audible (other amount)For more information, please visit www.MichaelStolzenbergTrust.org
SATURDAY. DECEMBER 6, 2008
TEQUESTA TRACE PARK
WESTON, FLORIDA
10:00 AMFor additional information contact:
Starr Adams at starrjoe at aol dot com
Renee Rheingold at renee at marcrheingold dot com
Sharon Truske at struske at myacc dot net
Been travelling to South Carolina for a book event, which is where I realized two things: with our new President, the 60s are officially dead (or at least done being overhyped by some of the media's most self-centered babyboomers). Whatever your party affiliation, let's enjoy the new day.
Two, Michael Crichton passed away from cancer.
I didn't know Crichton. Never met him. And maybe it's just seeing a novelist's obit. But, damn if Jurassic Park wasn't a kickass novel. It's so easy to point to all the other stuff, but that novel really meant something for me way back when. And as I look at my own obsession with research, I owe him a great deal. A tip of the amber to him.
