Rare Disease Support » Gift Ideas http://rarediseasesupport.org Building community and providing support for children, families and friends impacted by rare pediatric diseases Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:09:16 +0000 en hourly 1 Beautiful cards to support caregivers http://rarediseasesupport.org/2010/01/31/beautiful-cards-to-support-caregivers/ http://rarediseasesupport.org/2010/01/31/beautiful-cards-to-support-caregivers/#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:16:26 +0000 Nora Murphy http://rarediseasesupport.org/?p=246 “My friend’s child was just diagnosed with a rare disease.  What do I say?”

“My sister has been struggling to take care of herself and her family through her son’s illness over the past two years.  What else can I do to show her that I am here for her?”

“My cousin just lost her daughter to a rare [...]]]> “My friend’s child was just diagnosed with a rare disease.  What do I say?”

“My sister has been struggling to take care of herself and her family through her son’s illness over the past two years.  What else can I do to show her that I am here for her?”

“My cousin just lost her daughter to a rare disease and regular greeting cards seem wrong.  But I want to send something to show my support.”

If you have had thoughts like these, you are going to love these cards.  As a caregiver myself, I had tears running down my face when I read these cards from Solace Creek.  The speak from the heart as the founders, Mary and Mark Peters, have together endured the diagnosis and ongoing treatment of Cystic Fibrosis in the youngest of their four children, and of stage-3 Breast Cancer in Mary.

I’ve post two below to give you an idea of what they are like, but you can visit the website directly to see more cards and gift ideas.  Click here to be directed to the Solace Creek website.

Front: For surely you did not choose this battle ~ Rather it chose you

Inside: Inspired by your warrior spirit ~ I am here for you ~ Ready to fight at your side

Front: When the Caregiver load ~ Takes its toll

Inside: I will renew and care for you


]]> http://rarediseasesupport.org/2010/01/31/beautiful-cards-to-support-caregivers/feed/ 0 Make traveling a reality with a travel companion for your family http://rarediseasesupport.org/2010/01/11/make-traveling-a-reality-with-a-travel-companion-for-your-family/ http://rarediseasesupport.org/2010/01/11/make-traveling-a-reality-with-a-travel-companion-for-your-family/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:04:34 +0000 Nora Murphy http://rarediseasesupport.org/?p=203 Okay, I know. With medical bills and other health related expenses, it’s hard to think about taking a vacation! But if possible, it’s also wonderful to relax together as a family, in an environment that takes the focus off of the illness or disease and puts the focus on enjoying the moment. [...]]]> Okay, I know. With medical bills and other health related expenses, it’s hard to think about taking a vacation! But if possible, it’s also wonderful to relax together as a family, in an environment that takes the focus off of the illness or disease and puts the focus on enjoying the moment. But for any number of reasons, a relaxing location may not be enough to create a relaxing experience! I know that as a single mother of two, one with JORRP, travelling can be so daunting an idea that I don’t even entertain the though. But I just came across this website and I think it’s a fabulous idea!

Mission Statement:
Our mission is to provide a range of supportive services that will enable all family members to enjoy a travel experience. We understand the many joys and challenges of the everyday lives of children with special needs and recognize that travel can be both a rewarding and difficult adventure. Our hope is for families who never thought that a family vacation was possible will now be empowered to plan one and learn differently.

This organization will travel with you and support, not judge, giving you time to be a family, or to even have some alone adult time on one-on-one time with your different children.  For more information, check out the website!  http://www.specialtravelers.org/index.html

I tagged this as a gift idea because if you are a friend of a family with a pediatric disease and they are going on vacation, perhaps offering to help pay for this service would be a welcome gift!

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