Monday, March 21, 2011

Water, water everywhere...



www.TheAdventureProject.causevox.com

The above is a picture of Bo, only a few days old. We did not know what was wrong, only that something was terribly wrong. He looked like all the babies who die of bad water, only we knew he didn't have a waterborne illness.

It turns out that water is a subject very specifically close to my heart. Not only am I a microbiologist by training, but I did work in infectious diseases.

Water is an issue for our troops. It is an issue for our babies. It is something that Bo can only have limited amounts of, but that he craves. It is something that kills 4000 children daily: more than malaria, measles and AIDS combined. In my very sick child's eyes, I saw what those mothers are seeing every day. An unknowable and unrelenting grief.

I'm coming out of my pain for the second time. Having another baby reminded me of all we went through the first time. So for all those mothers who need a child that lives, to heal their hearts, to limit this suffering, I'm dedicating today's blog to world water day. Go to their link and fund the training of local people who will fix the broken wells in India, so their children can have clean water, so they can earn a living and fix more wells and send those children to school.

If 100 bloggers can raise $10,000 in 24 hours, The Prem Rawat Foundation will match it. Every $20 fixes enough handpumps to keep 3 people in clean water. So, here's the link...

www.TheAdventureProject.causevox.com

Kiss Them, They're Irish




No really. They're maternal grandmother is a Gilfoyle. Doesn't get more Irish than that.

I love the crying pix. They just crack me up. I'm not being mean, really. It's just so funny how dramatic they are.

I'm feeling the PTSD finally wearing off, and am wondering if my cognitive function will ever fully recover. My docs claim they will, but after being crippled for so long, I am skeptical. But, if my brain is working well enough for skepticism to register, I guess that is a good sign. It's humbling to lose control over the one thing you so prided yourself, and yet remain loved, unwaveringly. I am so grateful.