Supporting Community– Negative Chatter and Judgement

The only time humans don’t judge is when they change their residential address after they die. If you find out about someone’s past by gossip, do you judge them for it? Should someone’s present needs like Lisa Barrie and her family be judged by past mistakes? The Jeffrey’s Journey Home Campaign is to help Lisa’s oldest son Jeffrey with all money raised to be put in a trust for him. Lisa herself,  who is not the main focus, should be given a second chance. When Volundur Wally Thorbjornsson and his Angel Foundation initially heard rumours swirl around as they do in a small town, he chose the high road. One of the most profoundly human things you can do is to talk to someone, instead of about them and that is what he chose to do. Instead of dwelling on a past Wally chose to look to the future of the Barrie family.

I think it’s something we may try not to do, yet subconsciously we do anyway. Why do we have such a negative view on the mistakes others have made in the past? You can’t go back and change them.  If you could, would changing it be worth the lessons you learned?

When people are young and inexperienced, we choose the wrong partner. Blinded by hormones, we don’t have the skills and possibly patience to adequately assess character. It’s easy to be blinded by charm, or looks, as each and every one of us knows. Sometimes we don’t get it right the first time, and sometimes we can’t make it right the10th time.

I admit once you know or hear “rumblings” it’s hard to get it out of your mind. Some people can be more receptive if they can empathize with scenarios, but in more times than less most make assumptions quickly. What matters the most though isn’t what happened in the past—it’s what the individual did with it, the effort they made for redemption, and who they are now. As someone who has done things that I am not proud of, and messed up big time on my own “dark and dismal” phase, talking negatively about someone in need really does a lot of damage. We’ve all done our fair share of things we aren’t so proud of in the past, so let it be.

Should we leave a person of need in neglect because of past mistakes? Realistically, I know that people change, people grow, people learn. We need to remember that each one of us has been given only a specific number of seconds to remain on this planet. Your compassion for Lisa and her family will help bring light and peace to this awful situation, and become stronger. None of us are perfect, and I think if we were, life would be pretty darn boring. Use your best judgement and always think about how you would feel if the tables were turned.

As of today, funds are still desperately needed to purchase a home and equipment, and supply Jeffrey with the basic needs. “This is a long-term, ongoing initiative where the Angel Foundation will need to give support to this family. Each and every person’s contribution does make a difference, but together as a partnership with the town council and the community of Carleton Place nothing is impossible ”

Thank you for you compassion and donations.

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

A Carleton Place Mom’s plea—Help me bring my son home

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hashtag #JeffreysJourneyHome

We Can Move Mountains Carleton Place!

Meg Lowery once said that being a single parent is not a life just full of struggles, but more of a journey for the strong. In a perfect world all babies would be born to two parents that had every resource in the world to care for them. It doesn’t matter what age you are–16 or 46, being a single parent is tough.

I have a lot of respect for all single parents– because if it take a village for two parents to raise a child; it’s going to take a city to raise your child as a single parent. But, you know better than any of us that every moment you spend feeling sorry for yourself is a moment of your child’s life that you miss.

Single parents would love to worry, but they don’t have the energy and time. If something is meant to be, then it will be. There is no doubt at times mistakes are made, but you keep your head high and learn from them.  Lot’s of things are hard–school is hard, work is hard, life is hard, but loving your child is the easiest part of it all. That’s what gets you through the day.

Lisa Barrie is a single mother that is faced with an almost impossible task. I am sure you have heard her story many times by now. On July 2, 2015, Lisa went to wake her son Jeffrey. He neither moved or responded. Diagnosed with meningitis, her 12 year-old son suffered two strokes and was admitted to CHEO in Ottawa. Today, his future prognosis is still uncertain.

When your child looks you in the eye the first time, when you see that first beautiful smile, the joy in your heart is indescribable. You know that the tough times will pass, and that there are daily miracles and many of them manifest from your child. That’s what Lisa prays for every single day, for Jeffrey.

As parents we have faith that the universe will provide what you need. Lisa Barrie never thinks that the dream of bringing her son Jeffrey home is over because it’s not. We have this hope in life as an anchor, for the soul, firm and secure.(Hebrews 6:19 ) Please donate what you can and help Bring Jeffrey Home.

After all, we all know that love can move mountains!

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

A Carleton Place Mom’s plea—Help me bring my son home

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hashtag #bringjeffreyhome

Saturday, November 28at 8:00pm in EST
Carleton Place Legion

Join us for an evening of Dancing, drinks and fun but most of all to help us Bring Jeffrey Home to his family
Tickets are $10 each. They are not quite ready but we wanted everyone to save the date for us 🙂 I will post ticket locations the moment they become available
Entertainment by Arlene Quinn and The Mike Fahey Band

Why My Child? The Story of Lisa Barrie of Carleton Place

A Letter from One Mother to Another — Lisa Barrie– Bring Jeffrey Home

One Thing You Do Every Single Day Can Help Lisa Barrie

Looking for a Unique Gift for Staff or Friends for the Holidays? Bring Jeffrey Home!

SOLD OUT.. THANK YOU CARLETON PLACE

It’s early November, and Christmas is just a month or so away. This year you have decided to do something special or different for your staff, or are thinking of a gift for close friends. Do something out of the box this year and attend the Angel Foundation’s Gala-To Bring Jeffrey Home. We would be honored by your presence at our Red Carpet Gala on Sunday the 8^th of November.

Not only is this the perfect event to share with friends or staff, but at the same time you can join all of us for an evening of fellowship and support. On July 2, 2015, a single mother, Lisa Barrie went to wake her son. He neither moved or responded. Diagnosed with meningitis, her 12 year-old son suffered two strokes and was admitted to CHEO in Ottawa, where he remains to this day.

While enjoying a five-course meal and wine tasting at Slackoni’s Fine Italian Cuisine in Carleton Place, the price of your ticket will help spread the wings of support for single mother Lisa Barrie. They are now in need of suitable housing which can be modified. Medical equipment, feeding pump, braces and a lot of other things that are out of reach to most financially are desperately needed. Together we can make a difference for Lisa and her family. 

Please note that there is only room for 50 people, so we would appreciate your positive response by November 5th. An email money transfer or drop off payment at Valley Granite in Carleton Place would be two ways to purchase your seats. Just remember a lot can happen if everyone donated just a little. That’s all it takes! Your contribution will help achieve a solution for Lisa Barrie and her family and touch their lives forever. See you at the Gala!

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

A Carleton Place Mom’s plea—Help me bring my son home

GO FUND ME PAGE

hashtag #JeffreysJourneyHome

Why My Child? The Story of Lisa Barrie of Carleton Place

A Letter from One Mother to Another — Lisa Barrie– Bring Jeffrey Home

One Thing You Do Every Single Day Can Help Lisa Barrie

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

A Carleton Place Mom’s plea—Help me bring my son home

GO FUND ME PAGE

hashtag #JeffreysJourneyHome

On July 2, 2015, a single mother went to wake her son. He neither moved or responded. Diagnosed with meningitis, her 12 year-old son suffered two strokes and was admitted to CHEO in Ottawa, where he remains to this day.

Has your daily coffee become so much more than coffee?  How much are you spending on a daily basis? $4 bucks? More than that? Maybe you add on a doougnut or a bagel with cream cheese- so is that now putting it past the $10 mark? Maybe that isn’t a lot for some to spend in one day– but as you and I both know it adds up. Did you know that buying coffee every single day for a year could add up to equivalent of spending $1,277.50?

Breaking it down, even a small amount of money per day can make a huge difference – maybe not to our own lives, but absolutely in the lives of others. None of us are Bill Gates or Oprah, but even tiny amounts of money can contribute to a really significant change. Whenever a child is sick we cannot do anything physically for them to recover– but in this case you can help.  A lot can happen from just a little, and it’s really easy to make a huge difference to people in need, especially to Carleton Place mother Lisa Barrie.

Right now we need immediate help so Lisa can bring Jeffrey home. People tend to think that you just phone up a service foundation and they run on over with a cheque, wheelchair or whatever, but that’s so not the case! Most of these service clubs are being extremely helpful, but it takes weeks to get anything in motion. Some require upfront purchases that they will eventually reimburse or give you back part of. We don’t have that kind of time. We need help now! Please take up the challenge in your office and donate one of your day’s coffee money to help Lisa bring Jeffrey home. Make it a weekly challenge!

Just remember a lot can happen if everyone donated just a little. That’s all it takes!

Why My Child? The Story of Lisa Barrie of Carleton Place

A Letter from One Mother to Another — Lisa Barrie– Bring Jeffrey Home

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

A Carleton Place Mom’s plea—Help me bring my son home

GO FUND ME PAGE

hashtag #JeffreysJourneyHome

What If Your Child Was Taken Away From You?

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

A Carleton Place Mom’s plea—Help me bring my son home

GO FUND ME PAGE

hashtag #JeffreysJourneyHome

Months ago Lisa Barrie’s first child got meningitis. To lose a child is always everyone’s greatest fear, but knowing a particular medical situation exists, and not being able to solve it, is living with the unknown every single day. Dealing with daily problems is now harder than it was before for Lisa.

It’s very easy to be able to say “I know how you feel”— but any parent who has not had child in this condition has no idea what Lisa and her family is going through. Nights and days have become long since Jeffrey contacted meningitis months ago. Every single day she see sadness in his eyes, but meanwhile, she has to remain brave for her other two children.

Right now she is desperate and doesn’t know what else to do. If you had told her 6 months ago that this was going to happen to her and her family she would have said you were all crazy,

Yesterday Lisa found out Jeffrey is medically cleared, ready to be discharged from CHEO and come home. But, Jeffrey cannot come home due to medical equipment requirements. Lisa cannot afford these things and is now desperate!  CAS is threatening to take her baby boy away from her because he can’t stay in the hospital, and cannot come home, until Lisa has the proper medical equipment and a paravan.

Every moment she feels the sadness and emptiness that we can’t describe in words-and now fear and desperation has been added. Lisa’s life has changed forever, and every day now starts with tears, and ends with tears. Instead of having that Tim Horton snack today, please donate that money to Lisa. If every single person chose to do that for just one day, Jeffrey would be able to come home.

She needs all our help. Life goes on each day– please help Lisa get hers back. Bring Jeffrey home!

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

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hashtag #JeffreysJourneyHome

Related reading

Why My Child? The Story of Lisa Barrie of Carleton Place

A Letter from One Mother to Another — Lisa Barrie– Bring Jeffrey Home

A Letter from One Mother to Another — Lisa Barrie– Bring Jeffrey Home

On July 2, 2015, a single mother went to wake her son. He neither moved or responded. Diagnosed with meningitis, her 12 year-old son suffered two strokes and was admitted to CHEO in Ottawa, where he remains to this day.

Dear Lisa,

The day I interviewed you, you kept saying, “Why my child?” When I went home, I cried, and worried about the ordeal your son Jeffrey is dealing with now. Sometimes as a mother you pour your heart and soul out— caring for, tending to, and opening your heart every day to your children. There is never one minute in a day that you would not trade places with them so they wouldn’t have to suffer.

I know it’s hard on you and how angry you must feel seeing Jeffrey like this. I don’t know much about meningitis- and I am sure at the time you didn’t either. Meningitis often happens when an infection somewhere else in the body spreads through the blood and into the cerebrospinal fluid (fluid in and around the brain and spinal cord). The fact that anyone can get meningitis at any age scares me to death. Anyone can be a parent- but to be faced with these challenges as a single mother says a lot about who you are.

Your body and mind must ache after practically living in a hospital all these months. I can’t even imagine how painful it must be seeing every medical trick tried —yet Jeffery’s recovery is slow. My heart hurts knowing you are replaying and rethinking the day he fell ill. In your mind you are trying to figure out what you could have done better every second of the day. You have to remember there wasn’t a darn thing you could have done to prevent this.

I know you cry a lot— in the hallways of the hospital, in the car, in the shower when you get home. I can’t imagine how many days and nights you have to pull yourself together when you go home to your own children. I didn’t choose this world, and neither did you. You are so strong to share this publicly while you go through the pain and struggle. When you talked to me a few weeks ago I was struck so deeply with the realization of what it means to have one of your own in such a terrible situation.

Lisa, you are literally saving and changing Jeffery’s life in your own way by giving yourself as your son ventures on the challenging road before him. His silence must be deafening as you hold his hand and care for him. I know you can’t look to the future right now– but your child needs all our help to bring him home.

This is a difficult and tiring situation, and you want your son better. The tide will change as I know how much people care and want to help you. As a mom I am grateful that we are surrounded by compassionate people everywhere we look. All of us can make a difference, and we will stand by you and get you through this part of your journey.

Being a parent we never forget the pain, the tears, and cries of our children. Lisa, we will bring Jeffrey home.

Stay strong,

Linda

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

A Carleton Place Mom’s plea—Help me bring my son home

GO FUND ME PAGE

hashtag #JeffreysJourneyHome

Why My Child? The Story of Lisa Barrie of Carleton Place

Thank you to Meningitis Research Foundation News for spreading our story. Please keep sharing. Together we can make a difference.

Why My Child? The Story of Lisa Barrie of Carleton Place

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

A Carleton Place Mom’s plea—Help me bring my son home

GO FUND ME PAGE

hashtag #JeffreysJourneyHome

Please share this story– we need everyone’s help!

While some parents are busy getting a start shopping for their families for Christmas, mom-of-three Lisa Barrie is just trying to keep her family going. Her son Jeffrey, age 12,  is in CHEO fighting to regain a normal life, and the family is living with the unknown. Lisa couldn’t even think about Thanksgiving like most Carleton Place families as she was doing everything to save her boy. Jeffrey remains in hospital at CHEO and is now recovering after spending almost a month in ICU on life support.

On July 2, 2015, Lisa’s oldest son fell gravely ill. He was non responsive and rushed to CHEO where they discovered he had bacterial meningitis and also suffered two strokes. Lisa never knew what roadblocks she was going to face until the only choice she had was being strong. The mother of three is currently facing many challenges. Her doctors are not able to predict how much he will recover, or if he will ever be able to care for himself again.

Being a single mother, times are tough, and the income that once covered the bills and expenses is gone. Her sole source of earning has been cut off, as she left her job to care for her son full time. Since the bills add up quickly, and with limited financial support from her family, she now has to think about the costs of making life accessible for Jeffrey. Lisa is spending as much time as possible at CHEO so she can to learn how to take care of her child and eventually bring him home. 

When you have a  child you don’t say “I love you” out of habit or conversation, you say it to remind your child they are the best thing that ever happened to you. Lisa talks to Jeffrey constantly in ICU and and tells him,

“Mommy loves you more than anything in this world. Please don’t leave me cause I can’t live without you”.

“I tell him that several times a day.” she said. “Sitting there watching him fight for his life made me feel helpless. Why my child?”

The young mother didn’t know how he would survive this ordeal until the MRI on August 28th. That’s the day she found out the meningitis was fully gone.  Imagine waiting for two long months to hear the outcome of your child’s life. When your children are struggling, you want more than anything to help them and to make their pain and struggle go away, but there was nothing Lisa could do to make Jeffrey better.

It’s very difficult for Lisa to talk about the nightmare she has been living with all this time. Disregarding her own emotional needs, she wants to send a positive message to her children, and she often feels alone. Lisa bravely copes by shoving her own feelings aside and concentrates on getting Jeffrey better.

The doctors have assured her that the meningitis is completely gone and he has about as much risk as anyone else for it to come back. But now her child requires around-the-clock care. Lisa now worries that Jeffrey will be prone to strokes, or has thoughts in the back of her mind like any mother that he might get meningitis again. Every time he sneezes she jumps and runs for medical advice.

Lisa tried to explain the magnitude of how she feels. She and her Dad were very close—he was everything to her. When he passed in 2011 it ripped her heart out.  She said what happened to her son this year was much more painful than her father’s death.

No matter what she is going through she still has a message to all parents:

“Please hold your children tight.. each day is a gift that should not be taken for granted. We all say to ourselves that it will never happen to me, it only happens to other people. My whole world changed forever on July 2, 2015. I hope with all my heart that you never have to experience what I have been through”. 

As a mother, I can’t fathom having a normal child one minute and then the next they can’t even take care of himself. Being told that your child might not have quality of life can be traumatizing to everyone near and dear. But it can and does happen to many families, and now she is faced with the Olympics of parenting.

Together we can make a difference and help bring Jeffrey home. They are now in need of suitable housing which can be modified. They need medical equipment, feeding pump, braces and a lot of other things that are out of reach to most financially. But together we can make a difference for Lisa and her family. Your contribution will help achieve a solution and touch their lives forever.

Seeing your child in pain is the last thing any parent wants to witness, because whatever pain they feel we feel twice as much and we wish the pain was ours. A child’s smile is like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day.

 Please donate what you can to make Lisa, Jeffrey, and her family smile again.

Jeffrey’s Journey Home Facebook Page

A Carleton Place Mom’s plea–Help me bring my son home

GO FUND ME PAGE