Tag Archives: help

Kristen’s Story…

23 Aug

We received this incredibly heartfelt story from the lovely Kristen Leeb. Being so moved by her words, we asked if we could share it with all of you…

“A few years ago, I was diagnosed with an illness that is almost as deliberating as cancer. It can tear you apart, and turn you into your worst enemy. It can wreck any relationship or friendship that you have. It can make you into someone you never wished to be. This is depression.

When I first found out that I had depression, I tried to fight it. But, eventually the overwhelming emotions start to control you. They make you say things you wish you hadn’t, and do things you regret. I’m not going to go into great detail of what I have turned to over the past two years, but let’s just say that it’s something not good. I will admit that I became addicted to something, that would temporarily release any pain or stress I had. Through many failed attempts to over come this, I have realized that the only thing that helps me is to help others.

My dream is to finish my schooling and achieve a masters in psychology. I hope to use my experiences, the good and the bad, to be there and support others just like me. I know what it’s like to be alone, but I also know what it feels like to be feel good and happy again. I want to be able to make that happen for someone.

Say, you had one year to live. Would you be doing what you are doing right now? Would you be stuck in your hometown working a 9 to 6 shift at a drug store? No. Well, that’s where I am at right now. I have even contemplated quitting my job of three years, and travelling. Anything, to be able to find my purpose in life. I want my life to mean something, and I want to make a difference. I truly believe that I wouldn’t be here today if I wasn’t called to help others.

When I first heard about To Write Love on Her Arms, I couldn’t believe the story. It was similar to mine in a way. This was also the first organization I had heard that meant so much to me. It was dedicated to raising hope and awareness from exactly the things that I was dealing with. I bought my first shirt, and wore it with pride. I am not my scars, or my past. I am not ashamed of my scars, and I do not regret them. I wouldn’t be who I am today without going through what I have. And for that, I thank my diagnosis. 121 million people suffer from depression worldwide. I am not ashamed to say that I am a part of this statistic and I am a fighter. Some may think that I regret my addiction and what I do. I don’t, because it has made mea stronger person today. It made me a fighter.

I started a fundraiser through Crowd Rise where I am hoping to raise money for TWLOHA. You do not have to have gone through anything like this to support people dealing with self harm, depression, or suicidal thoughts. Sometimes all people want to know is that they’re not alone. Don’t judge someone based on the marks they have on their arms. You don’t know what they’ve beenthrough. Rather, be proud of them for making through it.”

You can donate to her fundraiser for TWLOHA here: http://www.crowdrise.com/mentalhealthawarenes/

♥∞

*To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.*

2 More Days: The Viengping Children’s Home

6 Nov

After my adventure with the Elephant Nature Park, I get to spend some time volunteering at the Viengping Children’s Home.  It will be nice to spend my days laughing with children. The home cares for more than 600 children who have been abandoned or abused, or whose families cannot support them.  Their mission is “to protect and care for abandoned and orphaned children, defending their rights, guarding their health, and teaching them to be generous, healthy, and successful.“  Their children range in age from newborns to 22 years old.  They seek to give the highest quality of care and provide a secure and loving home.

The children take part in a wide variety of activities intended to enrich their lives, their growth and their character.  They also attend local schools:

“All school aged children are enrolled in schools in the community. We augment their studies with tutor and study sessions and, for those who are far behind, supplementary Saturday and summer classes.”

Not only that but they also take part in community projects that “instill in them a value for showing the same generosity to others that their community has shown to them.”  The Viengping Children’s Home does their best to find the children foster parents and of course, legal guardians.  Sometimes placing 5 to 7 children at a time in a smaller group settings.  They are also home to  children who are infected with HIV/AIDS.

“Our HIV and AIDS infected children are given the same love and care as all our children; they know they are an important, equal part of our family. We hold activities and workshops to help them manage their health and live with hope, happiness, and dignity, despite having a terminal disease.”

Volunteers are put to work in a variety of ways.  From maintenance work around the home (gardening, painting, etc.,) to taking care of the babies (babies!), to participating in activities with the children, the days will be full!  We are also encouraged to come up with our own activities for the children.  I would love to organize a group outing with the older kids, a field trip of some kind.  To get them out and about…

But what I really want to do (shocker) is organize some kind of dance/arts camp for the kids.  Goodness knows if there is one thing I am good at is keeping kids entertained in a dance class!  Plus as my friend Jim said, “the language of dance is universal“.  So as long as I learn how to count to 8 and point out my left foot from my right, I should be okay to teach.  Plus, one of the facets of the Love Infinitely Project will be to bring arts camps to children who otherwise would not have the opportunity.  This is my chance to test it out.

I will, of course, remain open to whatever they have me do.  I’ll be ready with activities, field trip ideas, choreography and ready to participate in any way.  Whether I’m helping with cleaning or just being a high chair for a baby, I will be happy.  I know it will be hard to leave this place.

We are inching toward our fundraising goal!  Infinite love and thanks to all our wonderful donors!  You will be making a huge difference!

2 more days.

Donate to Love Infinitely here: wepay.com/x19wqt1

Click here to ‘like’ the Viengping Children’s Home on FB.

♥∞

~B
  Follow B on Twitter: @iamsunshine78

3 more days: The Elephant Nature Park

5 Nov

The floods in Thailand have been severe and volunteers at the Elephant Nature Park have assisted with the rescue of animals affected by the floods.  Here is a message sent today by the Founder of the ELP, Lek:

Dear All friends and supporters

This is the first time since Thursday that I have had the chance to send a message.

Our team finished work very late yesterday and some days we could not get finished until 3am. The situation is worse and we have to work quickly trying to save as many animals as we can each day. We see more animals drowned by the floods.

Today it is easier to move and we received help from the Wild life fund Thailand. They let us borrow their motor boat to carry the animals and we can get help to more of them each day.

Any one who needs to contact me today, please leave you text message or contact me at my staff office, I can’t take any phone call while we work at the rescue areas but I will get back as soon when I come out of the water.

Thanks for all volunteer who work hard and restless work that has saved hundreds of helpless animals.

Lek

The park itself is fine as they have a strong river wall that protects the park and its inhabitants.  However, they have made several trips down to the Bangkok area to help as much as they possibly can.  As Lek writes in a post from a few days ago:

It was horrible to see so many dogs and cats drowned from flooding; some of them were left inside submerged cars; some of them died in their cages. We manage to release so many dogs and cats from their homes where they had been abandoned.

Many suffering animals went on top of the roofs and we brought food for them. We released so many birds from their cages and I am so happy about that, but the poor dogs and cats were so traumatized that some of them went into shock and could not breath; some were in critically poor condition and lung problems along with pneumonia was common.

During evacuations, the government did not allow residents to take their pets with them on the boats and so many of them were left in a rush.  Not just pets but all the animals that live in the area have been affected; cows, pigs, monkeys, elephants, crocodiles and more.  All of them in need of dry land and food.

 

I feel like the Universe has been preparing me for this upcoming trip.  In the past few weeks I’ve experienced an extreme number of animal rescues and horrific deaths.  It seemed just last week that I couldn’t go 2 days without an animal dying in my arms.  There have been dogs that I’ve watched be hit by cars (one of them was VERY pregnant and we didn’t catch who purposely hit her with their SUV) to some of our own rescues here that didn’t make it.  From new babies to old friends, both here at my parent’s animal rescue center, to the streets of San Francisco, Bakersfield and Los Angeles, I have been tested to see how well I can handle tragedy.  I’ve cried a lot.  (A lot.)  But I feel ready to go to Thailand and help with the rescue efforts.

I know that what I’ve experienced here in the last few weeks won’t compare to what I will see and experience in Thailand and I’m ready for that, but if I can help in the rescue of even one creature, I know I have succeeded.

3 more days.

Donate to Love Infinitely here: wepay.com/x19wqt1

♥∞

~B

  Follow B on Twitter: @iamsunshine78

In lieu of birthday gifts…

3 Nov

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
~Lao Tzu

My 33rd birthday is in exactly 2 weeks (11-17) and I could not be more excited for the way I will be celebrating my day this year, volunteering with elephants at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Last year on my birthday I had just come off my adventure in India with VegNews Magazine and didn’t do much on my special day besides teach and go to yoga.  Even though my day was lovely I knew I never wanted to spend another birthday not being of service to others.

So this year, for my birthday instead of birthday presents or the always awesome gift card I would LOVE a donation to the Love Infinitely Project!  Even the smallest donation will make a big impact!  The funds will be going to some really incredible organizations like, Animal Aid Unlimited and the Viengping Children’s Home.  It’ll be my birthday present but thanks to our new donation site We Pay, you get a present too!**

Check it out:

Pretty cool right?!  And for the big donors:

It’s a winning situation for everyone!  And with exactly 6 days until departure, I am ready to bring our donations from 15% of our goal to 150%!

Even a small donation can make a big impact!  Help make my birthday wish come true!

Infinite love and thanks!

♥∞

~B, the Birthday Girl

  Follow B on Twitter: @iamsunshine78

**Love Infinitely presents will be sent out to donors upon my return from the adventure when the Love Infinitely Shop will be back up and running with a bunch of amazing new stuff for the New Year!

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