July 28, 12 Av 5767
Scott Rose is a NYC-based writer. He read increasingly better drafts of my manuscript over time these past two years. Here is his recent assessment of "It's MY Crisis!":
"One of the things that makes you and your book so special is that in facing a truly dreadful crisis, you summoned inner and outer resources to a positive personal outcome, and you are able in the book to communicate what was involved in your doing that to people who will benefit from learning of your experiences and recommendations as regards coping."
I invite readers of this blog to send comments to me directly or to post them to this blog, as you wish. The interactive forum enables me to share information with readers who need it, prior to the distribution of my book. That arrangement has helped several people already, as you can tell by clicking on "Comments" to my posts.
Here is one of several such "interactive" examples that started with a message that appeared among my personal E-mails. It is one of many instances when the information in my book provided concrete assistance to people facing medical crisis. I removed personal details to protect the privacy of all concerned:
----- Original Message -----
From: "" <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 2:24 PM
Subject: [BS/RBS list] Urgent appeal to help a young South African boy
Please can you forward this e-mail to any friends or family who may be able to help. A few weeks ago, while [abroad] on [a particular] one year training course for counselors to teens, [a young South African man] was admitted into [hospital] and diagnosed with leukemia.
[He] matriculated last year… is a popular member of [a specific social group]who has displayed leadership skills, drive and commitment to his charges and a love for imparting [knowledge and skills] as a counselor.
Seriously ill, he will now be requiring ongoing chemotherapy and in due course a bone marrow transplant…. [He] will need to be medically treated [in his location abroad] over a sustained period of time. He will need the support and care of his immediate family for the duration of the necessary treatments.
[Several international organizations] have endorsed a fund that is being set up to provide financial assistance to [the young man] and his family while [abroad]. The main areas of need will be in assisting with travel costs, accommodation and subsistence in
as well as any other necessities.
* An urgent appeal is made** to the [wider] community to contribute towards this fund, which will be administered by a responsible communal panel with representatives of the above bodies, and the input of a professional social worker. *
*The appeal has been made on behalf of a family that really needs support at this very difficult time. Without it [the young man] would have to undergo major treatment while being separated for a long time from his mother, father and sister and with no immediate family to care for him. *
* *
[Contribution information was included with the message.]
--
Identity Deleted for Reasons of Privacy
I "CC'ed the writer above as well as some social workers involved with the case with information about potentially helpful medical organizations and individuals named in the "Resources" section of my book. Here is the result so far, a comment by one of the social workers on the case who permits me to use his name:
July 25 2007
Shalom Yocheved
Thank you for this important info
I will pass it on to our Social Worker, ____, who is dealing with the case
Regards, Dorron Kline
The social worker alluded to soon indicated to me that the young man's family is cheered with the list of resources I provided for both the foreign country in which their son is hospitalized, and for relevant resources in the wider world. My goal is to help people to prolong their lives and/or to heal, and to maximize their human dignity throughout their medical crisis. I hope to let you know that this goal is achieved with the young man referenced above, and with other people communicating with me. All the best, Yojeved
