<p>We have all been touched by SoozieVT's daughter's story. We can't send flowers, we can't send casseroles...but we can post. I would like to suggest that we, in a show of continuing and thoughtful support, maintain a continuous vigil of posts-- to which she feels no obligation to reply, but just knows is here. We can do this until such time as her daughter is well on her way to recovery, or well on her way to school...or whatever. The posts can be our messages of hope and prayer, our humorous events of the day, our insights, whatever we would do if we were there...just so long as the thread stays on the front page...I can work the "night shift" along with a few others.</p>
<p>She might not have the time to post for us, we have the time to post for her!</p>
<p>Is there no possibility that a moderator or adminstrator here on the forum could serve as a "mail forwarder" for Susan? For example, if we wanted to send cards, they could be mailed to a designated person's attention on staff at CC, and then the staff person at CC could (1) get a mailing address if Susan desired to provide it; (2) keep the name and mailing address confidential and (3) simply forward the cards to Susan. I'm sure we could send money to CC to cover postage and even staff time.</p>
<p>This has the benefit of people being able to provide an actual, real, handwritten card; also, it might allow people to more sincerely express themselves, as I would guess that many people might write a more personal message if it's in a private card, vs. a post on a board where anyone with internet access can read it.</p>
<p>Last, it's a lot nicer if Susan and D have a bunch of lovely cards with handwritten messages...</p>
<p>Edit: there could even be a set "end date", say, no more after a 120-day period, etc. (or whatever time frame is appropriate).</p>
<p>Someone made the suggestion of a Vermont PO Box for CC cards and trinkets. Need to see if Sooz takes us up on the idea because that could be heaps of fun for her D. Personally, I think we could organize a wickedly funny theme to keep them very entertained between pt sessions....</p>
<p>It's a great idea, but the execution is yucky. I'm guessing this would mean she'd have to drive to a post office, pay to rent a box, show I.D., etc., and then she'd have to drive to the p.o. box every day, on top of driving 50 miles to the hospital. And lots of post offices won't even have any of the smaller boxes available. </p>
<p>Personally, I just cannot see adding another burden, vs. having cards arrive in her mailbox at home daily where she doesn't have to drive anywhere else, or pay money, to retrieve them. </p>
<p>It would work wonderfully though if there could be some way to eliminate the whole p.o. box scenario.</p>
<p>Hi Ariesathena - the Fred matter resolved itself; I'll explain later, after the April admissions notices timeframe and when the board is slower. </p>
<p>That's great that you know an address, but there's still a problem with a bridge - someone, somewhere will have to reveal an address unless there's a "bridge" in the middle.</p>
<p>I know nothing about postal regulations, but how about this - if you know her address (and obviously her name), that means you could identify the Vermont post office nearest her location - would it be out of line to ask you to call the post office, explain our situation, and ask if we can mail things to a post office employee or manager's attention for Susan, and the employee can give the items (cards, goodies, trinkets whatever) to Susan's carrier for delivery to her residence?</p>
<p>This way, nothing is revealed to us except the destination town or city in Vermont; we still won't know Susan's real name or home address, that way people can send whatever they want. </p>
<p>If the post office can manage letters to Santa Claus etc. they can surely handle something like this, and there's no chance that anyone's identity or privacy can be compromised, right?</p>
<p>Ariesathena - another thought - assuming you agree, and the destination post office in Vermont agrees, maybe it could be further arranged that the CC admins could mass email the mailing information to registered, "known" posters, rather than post it here in the open.</p>
<p>That way, there would be zero chance of a non-member or forum participant happening onto this site and mailing something unwelcome or inappropriate, etc.</p>
<p>How about some "electronic casseroles"? Example...List of 10 funniest ever videos/DVDs. Recovery jokes. Favorite EASY recipes. Well... you get the picture...</p>
<p>Thank you all, kind people. D is in what I hope is a permanent remission, so I only worry every six months or so when there is a checkup. Things are calm now, but I never forget "what lies beneath" the surface and what cold resurface at any time...that "other country" that i hope none of you ever get citizenship in (the conutry - for it feels like a real place - of fear of losing achild).</p>
<p>Some of that worry and stress is where Soozie is right now, though thankfully it seems to be moving in the right direction; I like the idea of moderators forwarding stuff, but that may be beyond their scope. Maybe someone who knows her would be willing to have stuff sent to him/her? I can't really think how this would work without someone having to post personal info.....</p>