Ember Care/Caitlin Memorial Fund
Donation protected
February 2019 Update:
"Dear friends, on Wednesday evening Caitlin died peacefully in exactly the way she wanted to. In the days leading up to her final moments, she was surrounded by a score of fierce advocates, both in person and from afar. Ember was able to cuddle her and they spent time playing the animal sound game via her speech board. Her immediate family was able to arrive in time to spend a few hours by her bedside before she passed.
The family requests refraining from sending condolences via text or email for about a week, but you are welcome to leave memories, wishes, and thoughts here.
A celebration of Caitlin’s life is being planned and more information will be posted here when it is known.
The support we received from all of you over the last two years was what got us through this, and I know Caitlin was incredibly grateful for everything you all did. Even the smallest actions had a huge impact on her quality of life and her ability to enjoy her family and friends during her limited time. In her final days she worked against the drain ALS had on her energy to make sure this could be communicated to all of you. Even those closest to her are amazed at the extensive network of people Caitlin had collected throughout her life, and you all were on her mind throughout this process and especially at the end."
Any memorial gift you'd like to give is graciously accepted to help the family transition to life without Caitlin, and support Ember's upcoming 2019/2020 preschool year starting in the fall.
My sincerest thanks for all who have helped through your gifts to improve Caitlin's limited time with her family, and daughter in particular.
Jenn
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Original Story Below:
As most of you know, Ember is the sweet 3-year-old daughter of Caitlin & Tamara. Caitlin was diagnosed with ALS about 18 months ago and her decline has been heartbreaking for their family. While we have a separate GoFundMe to assist with the family's medical and care needs, this GoFundMe is specifically for EmberCare. When Ember was born, Caitlin & Tamara each worked part time and shared the responsibility for Ember’s care. Unfortunately, Caitlin has been unable to work or care for Ember for over a year. Despite Tamara returning to full-time work (plus part-time teaching gigs) this is a situation no one ever anticipated and the financial burden of both loss of income and loss of childcare cannot be overstated.
Ember just turned 3! Hooray! AND, we had a big breakthrough in Ember's care plan for 2018/2019 - through a very generous scholarship, Ember will be attending Hilltop Children's Center . This is a school that aligns beautifully to the way Caitlin & Tamara want Ember to be raised - a non-profit organization, they have a child-led, anti-bias environment with strong, long-term teachers. We were so fortunate to land a 3-day spot, which will also allow Ember to remain in her beloved PCPE Spanish preschool (also on partial scholarship) for the other two days a week. Hilltop is close to Tamara's work as well - and, they have friends at the school who can assist with drop-off and pick-up should the need arise.
*Again we are SO FORTUNATE to lower our goal due to the kindness of others**
As a result, we have lowered our goal on this campaign to align to the following specific monthly need of ~$800:
- $695/month residual tuition for Hilltop tuition (3 days, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. coverage)
- $100/month to fund afternoon care for 1 day (12:30 -5:30) - Ember will be with Caitlin and a caregiver 1 day
- $300 GoFundMe's 3.2% fee
$9,900 is our new (lower) goal as of 9/3/2018!
We are hoping to raise enough money to cover the cost of Ember’s care for the 2018/19 school year thru next summer. Please help us get there - any amount is very respectfully and thankfully accepted!
Lots of love from all of us who love the Neely Family!
"Dear friends, on Wednesday evening Caitlin died peacefully in exactly the way she wanted to. In the days leading up to her final moments, she was surrounded by a score of fierce advocates, both in person and from afar. Ember was able to cuddle her and they spent time playing the animal sound game via her speech board. Her immediate family was able to arrive in time to spend a few hours by her bedside before she passed.
The family requests refraining from sending condolences via text or email for about a week, but you are welcome to leave memories, wishes, and thoughts here.
A celebration of Caitlin’s life is being planned and more information will be posted here when it is known.
The support we received from all of you over the last two years was what got us through this, and I know Caitlin was incredibly grateful for everything you all did. Even the smallest actions had a huge impact on her quality of life and her ability to enjoy her family and friends during her limited time. In her final days she worked against the drain ALS had on her energy to make sure this could be communicated to all of you. Even those closest to her are amazed at the extensive network of people Caitlin had collected throughout her life, and you all were on her mind throughout this process and especially at the end."
Any memorial gift you'd like to give is graciously accepted to help the family transition to life without Caitlin, and support Ember's upcoming 2019/2020 preschool year starting in the fall.
My sincerest thanks for all who have helped through your gifts to improve Caitlin's limited time with her family, and daughter in particular.
Jenn
---
Original Story Below:
As most of you know, Ember is the sweet 3-year-old daughter of Caitlin & Tamara. Caitlin was diagnosed with ALS about 18 months ago and her decline has been heartbreaking for their family. While we have a separate GoFundMe to assist with the family's medical and care needs, this GoFundMe is specifically for EmberCare. When Ember was born, Caitlin & Tamara each worked part time and shared the responsibility for Ember’s care. Unfortunately, Caitlin has been unable to work or care for Ember for over a year. Despite Tamara returning to full-time work (plus part-time teaching gigs) this is a situation no one ever anticipated and the financial burden of both loss of income and loss of childcare cannot be overstated.
Ember just turned 3! Hooray! AND, we had a big breakthrough in Ember's care plan for 2018/2019 - through a very generous scholarship, Ember will be attending Hilltop Children's Center . This is a school that aligns beautifully to the way Caitlin & Tamara want Ember to be raised - a non-profit organization, they have a child-led, anti-bias environment with strong, long-term teachers. We were so fortunate to land a 3-day spot, which will also allow Ember to remain in her beloved PCPE Spanish preschool (also on partial scholarship) for the other two days a week. Hilltop is close to Tamara's work as well - and, they have friends at the school who can assist with drop-off and pick-up should the need arise.
*Again we are SO FORTUNATE to lower our goal due to the kindness of others**
As a result, we have lowered our goal on this campaign to align to the following specific monthly need of ~$800:
- $695/month residual tuition for Hilltop tuition (3 days, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. coverage)
- $100/month to fund afternoon care for 1 day (12:30 -5:30) - Ember will be with Caitlin and a caregiver 1 day
- $300 GoFundMe's 3.2% fee
$9,900 is our new (lower) goal as of 9/3/2018!
We are hoping to raise enough money to cover the cost of Ember’s care for the 2018/19 school year thru next summer. Please help us get there - any amount is very respectfully and thankfully accepted!
Lots of love from all of us who love the Neely Family!
Organizer
Jenn Steff
Organizer
Seattle, WA