Baby Sean Update and Why I Blog

Asking for help is not my strong suit. Asking for money? One of the LAST things on earth that I want to do. Even when the cause is so worthy, I find it difficult to ask others to help.

It took A LOT for me to put myself out there and not only quickly organize a fundraiser for Baby Sean, but also promote it heavily in hopes that I would reach a personal goal of raising $1,000 to help Sean’s family offset the cost of his continued care in the NICU as well as traveling back and forth to the hospital daily not to mention purchasing the things a micro-preemie needs once he is able to go home.

The past few days have been a whirlwind with an incredible outcome. First, we raised $1,113 to date. That is HUGE! This has literally changed the Mokofisi family’s life. Will they still struggle? Yes. Will they struggle as much? No. A bit of that heavy weight has been lifted now that they can travel to and from the hospital each day to bond with, support, love, and bring breastmilk to their son.

Second, I have a restored faith in humanity. The outpouring of love, support, and generosity has been completely unbelievable. Times are tough for all of us. There are not many people out there with “extra” money on hand. And yet, hundreds of my Hybrid Rasta Mama family gave whatever they could to help Baby Sean. Beyond that, so many friends, family, and fans of other bloggers rallied offering support of all kinds. It really is overwhelming. And beautiful. I cannot put into words how truly grateful I am and how your generosity has impacted my outlook on life.

Sometimes I sit and wonder why I blog. Deep down I know it is because what I write helps someone, hopefully many someones, daily. I put A LOT of time into my writing. I research. I don’t do anything half-assed. I care a lot about conscious parenting, natural health and wellness, mindful living, real foods, and getting back to living a life that matters so generations to come can enjoy our Mother Earth and all of her beauty and bounty. And I share this with everyone who regularly reads my blog as well as those who stumble across a specific post. And yet, since it does take so much of my time, time I sometimes regret not spending with my daughter, I get feelings of guilt – guilt for focusing my energy on something I love, that inspires me, that is cathartic, and that I feel called to do.

Today, it is clear why I began this blog. It is because of Baby Sean. You know…a 6 degrees of separation kind of thing. If Caroline hadn’t fallen into our laps to take loving care of my grandma for a decade, if I hadn’t started this blog, Caroline and Baby Sean might be in a very different position right now. I have made so many friends through blogging. Friends who came to support me in so many ways once I shared Baby Sean’s plight. My Hybrid Rasta Mama family – my loyal readers – rallied behind my efforts. Because of my little space in blogville, I was ABLE to help a very deserving family. I had the resources and the reach that I would not have had otherwise. And so, this is why I blog. Because I can have an impact when an impact is needed. There is NOTHING, NOTHING in this world that can compare to how good I am feeling right now about the time I invest in this blog. And when those feelings of guilt over blogging surface, I can look my daughter in the eye and tell her that blogging is my way of giving back to the world right now. It is what I can do!

Alright – enough of my mush! On to the Baby Sean update and thank yous!

Baby Sean had a blood transfusion last Friday since there had been a decrease in the number of heart rate drops. He skin tone is much pinker now. He has also been battling a little bacteria infection which antibiotics have helped. Although not able to breastfeed just yet, he is getting mama’s milk and Caroline has been pumping up a storm!

Baby Sean’s medical team is impressed with his tenacity, his strength and his will to live. He has gained weight (now 2 lbs 1 oz) and is becoming more alert and active. In a nutshell, Baby Sean is fighting with everything he has and is just getting healthier and stronger each day! What a miracle and a blessing.

I want to thank all of the bloggers, my friends, and fans who posted about Baby Sean, shared my posts on various social media platforms, and offered support. The following bloggers were instrumental in the success of this fundraiser:

In addition, several business have offered support. They are:

• Green Humbug (offering newborn and one-sized fitted diapers)
• Fat Baby Bottoms
• and a few more that have not given me a “firm” donation so I will provide those business links later.

I am still working with other businesses to donate more cloth diapers, baby clothes, and other newborn items. In the next few weeks, I will update you on my progress. By all means, if you are a business owner or know of a business owner who can offer anything that would help Baby Sean, please contact me. Additionally, if you simply have some gently used items to re-home, Caroline would be forever grateful to you! Please contact me through my contact form to arrange to have those items sent.

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