It was a rough weekend in the Batten community. I found out this morning that we lost two courageous fighters. Two little boys gone before they ever had a chance to live. Two more families left trying to grapple with the gaping hole that is left behind. The part that gets me is that nothing is being done. While there is money for researching water on the moon and the gases emitted from our bovine herds, nothing is being done for Batten Disease. Our kids are dying but not in numbers great enough to merit any sort of worthwhile research. Most of the research that has been done is funded by families who live in the shadow of a disease that is relentlessly stealing their children. That's not right. How can there be nothing better? The amount that we need is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount that is wasted and mismanaged by greedy politicians. We don't need much, there are trials ready to begin that show a great deal of promise but without funding from the private sector, nothing can be done. Our kids do not have time to wait. Every day that passes we lose a little bit more until there is nothing left. Tonight, I am angry. We, as a Batten community, have sent thousands of letters to politicians, philanthropists, celebrities and researchers but it just isn't enough. I feel like we're part of the crowd at the end of the Horton Hears a Who shouting (I have 4 kids, I watch entirely too many animated flicks) "We are here, we are here, we are here...." but so far, our voices disappear and our cries go unheard. It's not a cause that people want to rally to. People like happy endings and so far there has never been a happy ending for our kids. They fight so very hard, hanging on desperately. Waiting. Hoping. But it's just not enough.
Tonight, I am angry, my soul is tired but I won't give up. With the dawn comes a whole new day and the fight will begin once again.
1 comment:
It's so hard to feel so helpless! Keep pushing through :).
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