It's about the child, bitch!

[Sheldonrs]

I received this e-mail this morning from a now former donor:


"Your sending the *Smith's* from Anytown, Some State to Italy??????
They have more money then most people will ever have and own their own business. I just get by and I used to make donations to make a wish but never again. I thought when I was donating it was going to people who couldn't afford stuff like this. I'm so upset right so you can count on me to tell everyone i know what you have done. What a shame!"


We don't check the finances of the family when granting a wish. And nobody knows what the health care costs have done to this family anyway.

I HATE it when people get bent out of shape over stuff like this. Maybe she should try walking in the child's shoes.

[dalesys]

... Maybe she should try walking in the child's shoes.

They'll be empty much too soon.


I would use the glass slipper method of fitting for size.

[BookBint]

Good grief. That reminds me of a woman in a pub I overheard. Her friend just told her that an acquaintance's small child had lost an eye after falling off a slide. The woman's response was 'she's a bitch anyway.'

[Legal Eagle]

unfortunatly there are some people who take advantage of organistions such as these just like there are some that take advantage of food drives,etc. This is nothing new.

[Betweenshades]

Assuming that the family they're complaining about is legit...

What the heck? Apparently, they've never had to pay for medical care for anything more than the flu. That crap adds up FAST. And, unless she sees their bank accounts on a regular basis, their income isn't really known to the complainer- "looking" rich doesn't mean you are rich. None of their business, anyway.

PS- AND owning a business doesn't mean they're rich, either! Good gravy!

[Kogarashi]

Assuming that the family they're complaining about is legit...

What the heck? Apparently, they've never had to pay for medical care for anything more than the flu. That crap adds up FAST. And, unless she sees their bank accounts on a regular basis, their income isn't really known to the complainer- "looking" rich doesn't mean you are rich. None of their business, anyway.

PS- AND owning a business doesn't mean they're rich, either! Good gravy!

QFT. Hubby has relatives who look rich but, while well-off, don't fall into the "rich" bracket. They have the nice things they do and get to go on the trips they do because of smart money management, and taking advantage of things like credit card rewards and one-time deals. Something like a terminally sick child would wipe them out, financially.

So I agree. Just because someone owns their own business and may appear to be quite affluent doesn't mean they're rolling in dough. It just means they know how to manage their finances quite well, without added medical costs.

[evillebee]

Assuming that the family they're complaining about is legit...

What the heck? Apparently, they've never had to pay for medical care for anything more than the flu. That crap adds up FAST. And, unless she sees their bank accounts on a regular basis, their income isn't really known to the complainer- "looking" rich doesn't mean you are rich. None of their business, anyway.

PS- AND owning a business doesn't mean they're rich, either! Good gravy!

^So true^ Also, the economy hasn't been the best for business owners out there. I wonder if this woman realizes that if this family is self employed, they most likely do not have health insurance with all the bells and whistles. My premium is almost $1,000.00 a month. Add to that all the medical expences that insurance does not cover, (another $200-300+) a month and that adds up really fast. No one in my family is even sick, these are just regular Dr appts. and maintenance meds. I would never judge a family in that situation.

[aurelemsrealm]

Once you let go of anything -- money, material, time, what have you -- you no longer have any say over it.

[auntiem]

Exactly, a gift is a gift - once given you have no say over it. That lady is mean hearted and for all she knows that poor family has a second morgage on their home and/or buisness to pay for medical care.
For some reason I'm remind of the comedian who said (paraphrasing) "why should I give that homeless guy $20 - he is just going to by booze and drugs with it - then I realized that is exactly what I was going to do with the $20 so I gave it to him".

[laborcat]

Exactly, a gift is a gift - once given you have no say over it. That lady is mean hearted and for all she knows that poor family has a second morgage on their home and/or buisness to pay for medical care.
For some reason I'm remind of the comedian who said (paraphrasing) "why should I give that homeless guy $20 - he is just going to by booze and drugs with it - then I realized that is exactly what I was going to do with the $20 so I gave it to him".

It's in here, somewhere

[bainsidhe]

Good grief. I know a few people who used to have 6-figure incomes, but nothing to show for it. Once they were downsized, it left them in a pretty awful situation. You'd think that if anything, the downturn in the economy would make people realize that "looking" rich does not mean you are. And I despair at the thought of what their medical expenses must be.

A former coworker's 9-year old granddaughter got sick and had a transplant. The foundation sent her to meet Lady Gaga and attend a concert. Definitely not what I'd have chosen, but it's what the girl wanted. And though I'm not a Gaga fan, I'm thrilled to say that Gaga went over and above to treat the girl and spend time back stage with her. I may not like Gaga, but I now respect her.

[workerbee222]

I have two part time jobs at two small companies. While each boss manages his income well and frugally, each one also has a spouse whose job provides health insurance. In one instance, Boss B loved having his wife at work, she loved being there, the customers loved her too. But she had to leave and find a job that provided insurance for his family. Otherwise, they could barely afford it.

[wolfie]

I would use the glass slipper method of fitting for size.

I'd be more inclined to follow Procrustes' method.

[ShootMePlease]

This is the very reason why I try not to judge people. I admit, it's tough sometimes, particularly when I see a seemingly healthy person park in a handicapped spot, but again I do not know their situation. So I try not to judge. As cliche as it is unless you walk a mile in their shoes keep your opinion to yourself.

[Solumina]

I had this big long rant about how illness can destroy finances but that doesn't really matter, a family could have unlimited resources and their kid could still deserve a wish. It isn’t about giving a gift to a family with a sick child, it is about making something really special happen for child who has been through more than most people could imagine. One happy memory or one photo with a smile that isn't clouded with pain, doubt, worry, or fear is something that really can't be bought and that is what making a wish come true gives people.