Nicole and I both have friends we want to help, but don't have the locality or know the right resources. I bet we are a well-connected and resourceful group of people, so I'm going to throw out a request for help. Nicole needs help getting a friend out of a cult (see pissed off thread). Here's my situation. I have a girlfriend who is 53 and rapidly deteriorating from MS. She has a 22 year old daughter who also desperately needs medical attention. They are in Tacoma, Washington. This is a extremely long and complex story, but in brief; they do not get support from the daugther's dad. The mom was a managament level RN, but was repeatatively downsized. They drove across country to Tacoma for a new job, but the first day she was on her job, HR told her that if she didn't tell her boss that she had MS, they would. The day after she told her supervisor, she was fired. A year later, she won a substantial settlement, but it is not enough to get them health insurance, a scooter for the mom, etc. Also, in that year period, they became homeless and their credit was shot. I seriously want to write to one of those multi-milloinaires and ask for financial assistance for them. It would just be petty cash for someone with money, but would drastically help this mom and daughter out, but I don't know where to write. Without money and medical help, the mom and daughter are going to become critically ill. I've tried for 4 years to get help through different social agencies to no avail. Any ideas? Anyone else need help helping a friend?

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001

Answers

Wow, Vicki, that is so sad. I'm assuming you have already contacted the National MS Society and they were of no help. I know it is really cheesy, but maybe going to various talk shows could help. I know I've seen promos for Maury and Montel helping people out, and since they probably aren't asked for help a million times a day like Oprah most likely is, you may be able to get a response from them. Sometimes even the crap talk shows like to take the high road every once in a while.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001

I think the local media might be able to help. At least they could magnify your message. I hope your friends get the help they need.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2001

I agree, actually. You should call the local news. You know how they always have those features like "[news station] on Your Side" and stuff like that? Maybe it would help. Or if there's a local talk show... those are pretty easy to get onto, I think.

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2001