namommy

I put this here hoping more people will see it.

I recieved an e-mail last night and wanted to find some way to help get the word out. I thought of all of you.

3 years ago a 16 year old girl named Katie, from this area, tried to get into a detox or rehab. due to lack of funding and being rejected from her insurance company she couldn't get in. Instead of spending the night in a detox, Katie used again and died of an overdose.

Her mother has started a campaign called beatthedrum.org to try to pressure insurance companies to cover drug rehabs.

Today would have been Katie's 19th birthday. Tonite her mother is holding a 'Birthday Party' at her gravesite. A simple 5 minutes to sing Happy Birthday and release balloons as a way to show support and to show how many people are affected by this disease. It will be held at 6:30pm Eastern time.

If you can, please at 6:30pm, just shoot up a simple "Happy Birthday Katie". It's not much, but I am sure it will be heard. Thanks.

I am planning on going.

historyteach

((((Laurie))))
What a moving story!
Katie's mom lived our nightmare. I congratulate her for using her grief to make things better! I'm honestly brought to tears because of this story. It happens too often as people hold addicts in total disregard, and politicians know they can ignore their plight. Afterall, I doubt that most addicts vote, and that's all the pols care for. Katie was nothing but a human sacrifice to our society who doesn't want to look at the deserving human being she was.
I will visit this website and give any support I can.
I will wish Katie a happy birthday at 6;30 this evening.
And I will thank her. For her sacrifice. I pray it will begin a sea change in attitude.

Thanks Laurie...
Shalom!

Dan

http://www.beat-the-drum.org/

I'll be there tonight Laurie.
(...)

namommy

Thanks Guys,

And Dan, thanks for posting the website the way is supposed to be. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get back into it. *lol*

quercusalba

Thank you for this, Laurie. What a terribly sad story. It speaks to larger issues with our healthcare system; one of my best friends had to fight tooth and nail for her husband dying of cancer (at the age of 35) to get treatment for him. The insurance companies hope that we will quit, exhausted - that way they get to keep their money. It's twisted. Thank God for this mother and her strength. We all need to pay attention to this story - thank you so much for sharing it.

Happy Birthday, Katie... prayers for you and your family.

--anne

Anna

Thanks for the info Laurie. This is a great cause and I'll be singing Happy Birthday too.

Love, Anna

historyteach

Laurie;
I went to the site; I signed her guestbook.
Sue emailed me today. She wants to talk to me tomorrow. At her request, I left my number......
WOW! Don't know what to say here...
Shalom!

na4today

Thanks for sharing her story with us.

namommy

Oh, Teach,
That's awesome. I've rounded up a few people on this end to go to the cemetary with me. I wish I had more notice, I'd find a way to fill the place.

Paulie

Wow, just a kid.

Thanks and at 3:30 in CA she will have a smile from me.

abtchonamission

6:30 tonight she'll be hearing a "Happy Birthday" from North Carolina.

namommy

I was wrong on the date. Sue just e-mailed me that it is NOT TONITE. It is NEXT Friday, JUNE 8th. I am such a dip sh*t some times.

abtchonamission

Psst- Laurie...JULY...

Paulie

I visited the site, what an awesome tribute.

Okay next Friday...and we will be out camping...I just know it will be a clear beautiful day.

historyteach

I'll be there...tonight and next week... July 8th...forevermore...
For Katie...
And Sue...
Shalom!