From One Sheryl to Another

I got an email yesterday from someone asking for my help to raise money to pay for medical expenses for his partner. I don't normally post things like this here, but I had to post this. Her name is Cheryl (okay, so she spells her name wrong), she has Sjogren's Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, thyroid issues and a sister named Maria (my sister is Marcy-close enough). Here is his letter, along with the link to the youcaring.com page where you can read more about Cheryl and her ordeals, and donate as well, even if your name isn't S(C)heryl. Youcaring is a site where individuals and causes can set up a fund-raising page to raise money fee free.

Hi,

Sorry to write at this address. I ran across your blog and was wanted to know if you could help me. My partner Cheryl has been diagnosed with sjogren's syndrome, IgA deficiency, fibromyalgia, and secondary adrenal insufficiency. She also has had to have her thyroid ablated. The history of how we came to these diagnoses is long and complicated. The short story is that she hasn't had much success with traditional doctors, but about a year ago she started seeing a alternative medical care doctor who specializes in classical Chinese medicine.  His treatment as well as some dietary changes (eliminating wheat gluten for one) have helped her tremendously. Prior to this treatment she was bed-ridden because of the pain all over her body and was loosing weight.

The reason I am writing is that these treatments are not covered by insurance forcing us to pay out of pocket. Because we cannot afford these treatments I have started a fund-raiser to help pay for the treatment. We have already reached out to friends and family and have used Facebook to raise funds, but I have found that I need to reach out further. My request of you, if you can, is to post a link to our fundraiser on your blog to try to help spread the word. I don't have a Facebook page myself and am not good at social networking. Here is the link to our fund-raiser and gives a more complete story:

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/cheryl-s-medical-fund/40186

By the way we live in Portland Oregon with two children (twins!)

Thanks for taking the time to look at this.

Barry

WINGLESS-A BIRD OF MANY COLORS

Yesterday I talked about the benefits of coloring.  Today I have an example of one of my pieces, which started out as a scribble, and developed from there. This is 'Wingless', colored pencil on black paper. The original is about 9" x 12".  I had just  started playing around with the idea of drawing on black paper, so I was scribbling and experimenting.  I did the body area first, just making strokes of differnt colors, overlaapping them, seeing what would happen.

I liked how it came out, so I decided to try doing some strokes with fewer colors, in a more organized pattern.  The area of the head developed from that.  I looked at the 2 areas I had colored, and thought it looked like some kind of creature.  I made a neck to connect the 2 parts, then added  the eye and the beak.  I then did the legs, then the tail, and added the plant to balance and fill in the space. 


I couldn't figure out what kind of wings would work on him, so I decided not to put any wings, hence the name 'Wingless'.  As an occupational therapist, adaptation and function are my middle names.  (Not really, but you know what I mean.)  I couldn't leave the guy helpless, so I taught him how to use his feet to take care of himself.  Here you can see how he uses his feet to feed himself.

Get yourself some paper, I prefer black, but you can use whatever you like.  Get yourself some colored pencils, I like Prismacolor best. Crayons and pastels, both oil and regular work  too, but unless you get the pastel pencils, you won't be able to do much detail.  Markers would work on white paper, not on black. Start to play. Make lines of different colors, see what happens. You may create a master piece, or you may not.  Set aside your criticle mind, and have fun.  If your scribblings suggest a pattern to you, like mine did, add in the details to complete your drawing.  If not, that's OK too.   Do as many drawings as you like. 

If you don't like the unstructured feel of blank paper, get some of the posters or coloring books I listed in Sheryl's Store, (the link is located on the right side of this page.)  Whichever you do, it should get you out of your self for awhile, so you aren't thinking about any of the negatives in your life for awhile.