SummitPost.org

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some support for a friend of mine who suffers from MS. There’s a lot of things he could use but first and foremost, he needs some encouragement and needs to know people are thinking about him. Sending him a card would be a great gesture and will take 5 minutes of your time and a stamp. Before you move on and click somewhere else, please think about the difference you could make.

Here is some background on Derek. He is an ex-colleague and friend of mine. He used to work as a sales manager in our Orlando branch but unfortunately last summer the company had to shut the branch down due to the economy and he lost his job. A few months later he was diagnosed with MS. Since Derek was very active (he cycled a lot; also loves following my mountain adventures), that was obviously a huge shock for him but optimistic as he is, he found his humor back and slowly started moving on. Unfortunately disaster struck again recently as his wife decided to leave him. That really put him down and on top of that, his house will be up for sale as well. Needless to say, that is a lot for one person to take. He has great friends and family but often still feels alone in all this and needs a little support.

So, if you want to help someone out in need, simply writing him a card with a word of encouragement will make a huge difference right now. If you have a personal anecdote to add, that would be great as well.

If you are interested, please send me an email on suppMS@yahoo.com and I will send you his address and a link to his blog.

Thanks SO much!!

Edit: I updated this thread below

Luciano - I'm soooo into this! Thanks for your efforts. Email sent.

Thanks for the emails I already received!! This makes me very happy!!!

Thanks for a few more emails today

Bump.

MarthaP wrote:Bump.

Thanks Martha

Bump

Thanks so much for everyone who emailed me in the meantime. For those of you still thinking about it, this is the difference you can make. I received this email from a friend of Derek. I'm so happy about this!

Bruno,

You do not know me, but I am an lifetime friend of Derek. I wanted to personally thank you for everything you have done to help Derek through this difficult time in his life. What a wonderful, caring friend you are!!! He has received so many uplifting letters, cards and e-mails offering words of encouragement that have truly touched him and let him know that there are many people out there “routing” for him. He has read two of the letters to me over the phone. As he read both, he began to cry wondering how people who did not know him could care enough to offer their help and concern. He truly has been touched by your act of kindness. So many times we think about doing something to touch our friends and loved ones in need, but it goes no further than a thought. You on the other hand have put your thoughts into action and I am so thankful for that. Derek is truly blessed to have a friend like you!!!

Again I thank you from the bottom of my heart

Still going

Awesome! Thanks for letting us help a brother.

MarthaP wrote:Awesome! Thanks for letting us help a brother.

Thank YOU for the idea and support! I now did this on facebook as well.

Just sent the message.
Cheers

Luciano136 wrote:he was diagnosed with MS

I've been going through similar things, and I know well enough much too often people get misdiagnosed - Lyme disease is posssible, or this

Thanks for a few new messages!!! I will reply to all today!! Much, much appreciated!! Keep 'em coming!

Derek actually got the courage to get on his bike again this past weekend, which is truly amazing! I was really happy to hear that.

Make sure he realizes exercising outdoors is essential, biking is one of the best options. As to the wife, that shouldn't get him down either - on the contrary, this is a great opportunity to wait for someone really worth getting to know, then living with. I wish I'd realized that myself years ago.