Tikkun Olam

Here is a superficial explanation of my daughter's disease, RSD or CRPS.  The video below this one describes a little of what having RSD actually feels like.  It does not express it as severly as it actually is.  I was Skyping with my daughter (who, G-d willing I will see in two and a half weeks), when she suddenly had a flare-up.  I can't describe what happened--how her face suddenly contorted as she tried to cope with the pain coursing through her leg.  And I was watching her, sobbing, 7,000 miles away, incapable of doing anything.  Thank G-d her brother was there.  He tried to help her, bringing her a cool compress for her forehead, and standing by her side, speaking soothingly to her.  She was in such pain, she was not aware that her mother was crying...I need strength to be able to help her, and appear strong.  How will I do that?

I am making an emergency visit to Israel to tend to my daughter, who has severe RSDS/CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, sometimes known as Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome).  My Rabbi is trying to raise money to help fund the trip, as it is the worst possible time for us to do this: my husband is still looking for work while waiting to hear about his disability rating appeal from the VA, and I will be losing two months salary by leaving.  But something has to be done, as my sons are stressed to the gills, taking the part of their parents-- in loco parentis-- so it's time this parent came to care for her daughter. I am asking for a chesed--a kindness--from anyone who can do this--please help support this trip by donating to my PayPal account on my blog.  Small amounts help too.  I am also looking for a free place to stay very near my son (close walking distance), where his sister is staying. Just a room with access to a bathroom, as my plan is to leave mornings and g...

I had started to write a post from my smartphone while sitting outside of Brakes Plus, waiting for them to evaluate the problems with my car's AC, and/or at least, to get an infusion of Freon for as long as it lasts, until it leaks out again--which it will; because there is a leak, and the AC needs major repairs, totaling hundreds of dollars. But I couldn't complete that post, my heart was just not in it.  I have something much more important which has been weighing on my mind for months now, and which I wasn't going to write about but I've now changed my mind.  I guess I just need to talk about it and maybe release some of my stress and tension and worry. On February 22nd my youngest daughter, Rambo, while on the job as a security guard for Modi'in Ezrachi was walking across the lane at her checkpoint, when a car which had just been checked by another guard accelerated and hit her.  The driver was looking down, putting away his license which had just been retur...