Hope Update #1

     Lovely little Hope is doing much better!  I visited her recently, armed with supplies and toys!  Hope was so happy playing with her new mice!

     Click here to watch baby Hope play!  So super adorable!

     Hope's leg is slowly healing, and she loves all of her visitors.  She's approximately two months old and I swear this kitten doesn't know she's not like other kitties.  She hops to you and "hunts" her toys (complete with butt wiggle) and welcomes all visitors with her sweet personality. 

     When she is old enough and her body is stronger, she will have her surgeries and her rescue parents intend to give Hope wheels so she can run and play with everyone!

     Please continue sending your warm thoughts and prayers to Hope!  They are helping her thrive!

     Hope's fundraising page

     808 Animal Rescue's instagram page (regular updates here!)

Help Save Hope!

     This post is in honor of my friend and her husband, who love animals so much they created their own non-profit organization to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome neglected animals in Hawaii and California.

     808 Animal Rescue facebook page and instagram page

     Hope is a rescue kitten.  She was found dragging herself on the ground in a neighbor's yard.  Although she was not in good shape, she was happy to see kind people and eager to accept food and water.  My friends took her to the emergency vet center and learned Hope has a contorted spine, which prevents her lower half from functioning properly.  She requires a lot of medical care and my friends are asking for your help to rehabilitate and eventually find a loving forever home for this beautiful kitten.

     Please visit Hope's fundraising page.  If you are able to help, please know that you are giving an adorable, loving kitten a chance at a full and wonderful life.  If you cannot donate at this time, your loving thoughts and prayers help just as much as money or supplies.  Please keep Hope in mind as she heals!  Thank you so much for loving and helping animals like Hope!

A Friend with RA in Need: Sharon Yoshizu

     One of the more difficult aspects of living with RA for me has been finding other people who have had an experience similar to mine.  I have not found another person in Hawaii whose experience parallels my own, but I was introduced to an incredible young woman who helped me when I really needed someone to just get it.

     I was blessed to be introduced to my friend Sharon Yoshizu.  She is incredibly inspiring.  Sharon has suffered with RA since age 21 and has a young daughter who was born with JRA.  Sharon also required neck surgery several years ago that resulted in a stroke, from which she is still trying to recover.  She has been on just about every RA drug available, moving on to the next drug when her body stops responding to treatment.  

     Sharon is amazing to me because, despite the pain; surgeries; stroke; inability to work and failure of treatment, she continues to be hopeful and help anyone in any way she can.  We had not met when I was put in contact with her through our local Arthritis Foundation chapter.  However, Sharon immediately called and reassured me when I was facing a difficult treatment.  She'd been there, she understood.  It didn't matter that we didn't know each other; I also had RA and needed help, so she decided to help.  

     I am so grateful for Sharon and her unlimited empathy and kindness.  I've decided to share her story here because it is one way for me to return her kindness. Sharon needs multiple surgeries and has been unable to find a willing surgeon in Hawaii.  She and her family are moving to California to try to get the help she needs.  This is a huge but unavoidable expense and her family is asking for your help.

      Please take a moment to read about Sharon and her family here.  If you are able, please donate.

     Thank you for any love and support you are able to give Sharon and the Yoshizu family.