Hello Clippers! Meet Kari and Barry. Over the next 12 days you will be reading a bit about them and about how you can help me lift a significant burden from them. Kari and I met in the 5th Grade and here we are many moons later. We go together like peas and carrots. She really is one in a million. Why am I introducing them to you? I am trying to draw some national attention to them in hopes of a Valentine's Day Miracle. These two have the greatest love story. I will share that tomorrow. Just when Kari thought she would be always a bridesmaid and never a bride; Just as she thought she was destined to become a crazy cat lady; fate intervened and these two love birds found their lobster! I am going to jump ahead to today and what is going on in their lives. Tomorrow we will have a flash back and I'll tell you all about how they met. Kari and Barry were married in September, but getting to the alter was not all fun and games. They have been thrown one curve ball after another. A few months before their wedding Kari's dad was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment. Weeks before their wedding Kari's beloved Grandma Sterns was diagnosed with terminal cancer. They held their breath and hoped both would be well enough to share in their special day. If those worries were not enough, Kari started having GI symptoms that were thought to be stress related at the time. She spent the week before the wedding in the hospital and was quite uncertain about getting out of the hospital in time for their wedding. With less than 24 hours until the blessed event, her doctor cleared her for discharge and they hoped that her scary experience with intestinal blockage and diverticulitis was behind them. She found herself back in the hospital within 48 hours of their wedding. The following week Kari was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer and Barry's mom passed away. The last few months have been filled with resections, infections, complications, ablations, perforations, recuperation, and vegetation with no possible vacation in the immediate or distant future. Kari is dealing with the effects of her cancer and her aggressive treatment protocol. On top of that, she has been having great difficulty with her ability to move and get around. She was recently diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder called Dermatomyositis. This complication is like getting struck by lightening sssssix-ssssix-sisisi..tee.tttee.sssix times (ala The Great Outdoors). What would make Kari & Barry happy right now? A Temperpedic Adjustable Bed and housing with handicap features. They are locked into a lease and are trying to make due with what they have, but at the moment Kari cannot get to her bedroom to sleep. She has no access to her tub and shower. She sleeps in her recliner and Barry curls up near her on the couch. He is a trooper and I love him and admire all of the fine things he does to bring love and joy to Kari every single day. Love is in the air and many nationally syndicated shows are hosting love bird contests. Help me spread this story and this cause like a bad virus! In the coming days I am going to be asking all of you to vote and help me in my quest to knock on the doors of Oprah, Ellen, Regis & Kelly, Nate Berkus, Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz. Power in numbers, my friends! Stay tuned for ways to get involved, please. And pass this story along to everyone you can think of. My goal is to start plugging this cause like crazy over the next few days. If you believe in love, If you believe in miracles, join me to move a mountain for Kari and Barry. It's about time for their luck to change.
