Hope is a wonderful thing!

I hope for lots of things.  Things like an early spring this year, finding a good occupational therapist for Brooke, that I can fool Jeff into eating something called Creamy Chicken, Rice and Spinach if I just leave out the word creamy when I tell him what it's called (that didn't work, but I still hoped that it would).

But the thing I hope for the most, that I hope for every single day, is a cure for Rett Syndrome.  And if I'm honest, and I guess a little selfish, I don't just want *a* cure.  I want everyone cured.  Every single person on the face of this earth - cured.

There's lots of research being done these days and I'm all for raising money to find these answers.  But each day that goes by I wonder if by the time they are found will it be too late to help Brooke?

So this morning I start my daily check of the RettNet and I find a little gem of a post that just brightens my day.  A post about a press release.  A press release about a study.  A study that shows that the effects of Rett Syndrome can be reversed.  Reversed.  This is a big, big word, people.  Not stopped, not halted, reversed.  If you're interested in reading the release here's a link (and I promise it's not written in too much scientific jargon to understand):

Reversal Study Press Release

And so today those little bits of hope that had been eroded away by worry that it might be too late are restored.  And I just wanted to share that with all of you.  And for everyone that has made a donation, bought a card from my mom or said a prayer - I wanted you to see that your actions are making a difference. 

So let's keep that momentum going!!  You may have noticed the badge added to the upper left corner of the blog.  A wonderful idea I saw on Ali's blog.  Check out SixDegrees.org for all the details of this program.  And, yes, I really like that picture.  It makes me smile everytime I look at it - so you're just going to have to look at it twice. 

And see those handy, dandy links on Brooke's badge to DONATE - feel free to use them!  Come on people I want to see that ticker moving!!  Let's start hoping for that next big press release that will make me have to write another sappy post like this one!!

And there are links to both of these organizations just a little lower on the left side if you would like to learn more about them.

(And for all of my little blogging friends out there - would you also consider adding Brooke's badge to your site?  I'd be happy to give you the code - just send me an email!)

Comments

[Mom]

I've never given up hope since Brooke was first diagnosed with RS that someday a cure or way to reverse the effects would be found. This sounds so promising. And you know me well enough to know that my mind has already wandered ahead and I'm envisioning all Rett girls given a new chance at life.

[Andrea]

I was thrilled to read the article. It wasn't too "scientific". I understood! Reversal
is the magic word and the hope word. I thank god everyday for all those scientists
working on gene therapy. It will be "the cure". It will benefit all. With our donations, their work and Brooke's courage-there will be a cure. xoxoxo

[Jennifer Sizemore]

This is wonderful news!!!!!! Send me the code for the badge and I will put it up on my blog :)

[Leslie]

Sam! That's such exciting news to hear!

[connie]

i was so happy to read the article. i pray everyday for all the children in the world. as long as you keep the faith, there is always hope.
God puts special children on this earth and they are a gift from God, they are special and they are beautiful like Brooke. thank God for the foundation. i love her so much...connie xoxoxo

[Jennifer]

wow! this is amazing news. I pray that they keep researching and trying to find a cure for Brooke. Lots of love to you all.

[Linda]

Sam, that is such great news!!! I am so happy to hear it! I am thinking of you, Brooke, your family and all Rett's patients during this optomistic time!

[Syb]

Sam - that is such wonderful news!!! I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers and hoping for a cure and reverse to Rett's disease in the very, very near future!!