July 26, 2008
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Busy, Busy, Busy
Getting ready for our visit with Xangans Valreads and Cool-Mom56, and Coolmom’s friend, Dawn.
They will be arriving later Sunday afternoon. We are excited about seeing them again. As Val said, it has become an annual tradition now! This will be the third year. Val promised no rain, and so far, so good!
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Now the latest on our nephew’s tragedy.
I am inserting the text from the Springfield paper today. Tough news.
STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
The family of 9-month-old Savannah Stuebs, struck by a tree while camping earlier this week, learned Friday that her brain injury is more extensive than they realized.
The Springfield girl’s uncle, Dale Logerquist, said her family is taking things day by day, but doctors have warned them that Savannah appears to have severe and permanent brain damage. Another stent was placed in her skull to relieve swelling, but it continues to be a problem.
Savannah is being treated at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Funeral arrangements are pending for her 4-year-old brother, Dustin Stuebs, a preschooler at Ball Charter School who was in the same tent as Savannah. Visitation is Thursday at Calvary Temple with funeral services the following day.
A rotted oak tree fell on the children’s tent during a violent windstorm that swept through the family’s campsite at the Indian Trails Resort in Colona near the Quad Cities on Monday morning.
The entire Stuebs family was on their first camping trip to the Colona resort. Parents Jason and Christina were sleeping in one tent with their children Dustin, Savannah, 9-year-old Dyantae, 7-year-old Hannah and 1-year-old Jacob. Their other two children, Danielle, 12, and Madison, 10, were sleeping in a second tent.
The tree narrowly missed the girls’ tent but landed on top of the larger tent.
What you can do to help:
- Give blood. Logerquist said Savannah has received a great deal of blood, and anyone who wants to help can give blood at the local donation center.
- Make a financial donation. Contributions to assist the family with funeral, medical, travel and lodging expenses are being accepted at any Marine Bank location. Checks can be made out to “Stuebs Family Benefit.” Anyone who wishes to mail a check to the fund can send it to Marine Bank, 3050 Wabash Ave., Springfield, IL 62704.
Jason Stuebs, who has worked at a local not-for-profit thrift store for 14 years, has no medical insurance and was the family’s sole income.
- Send a card. Letters, cards and well-wishes can be sent to the Stuebs family in care of A-Plus Pack and Ship, 2112 S. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield, IL 62704.
- Attend a fundraiser. Two have been scheduled so far — one from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Mariah’s Restaurant, 3317 Robbins Road, and another Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Field House Pizza and Pub, 3211 Sangamon Ave., organized by Ball Charter employees and parents.
Silent-auction items are being sought for both fundraisers. Call Mariah’s owner Sam Alkhayyat at 622-7600 or Ball Charter parent Steve Rockford at 525-0847 to donate items or services.
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Me again! Danielle, Madison and Jacob are their foster children. I do know that as of Christmas they were planning on adoping Jacob—don’t know about the other two. I know Madison has facial injuries and will need plastic or reconstruction surgery. Something is out of whack with the report because it says Madison was in the tent the tree missed, but she has facial injuries.
I thank you all so much for the prayers so far. Please keep them up! This family has a long, hard struggle still ahead. Thank those of you who have prayer circles going for them, too.
We went to church yesterday morning for the monthly devotional service, and told our pastor about it. He is married, but they cannot have children. He said a prayer for Jason and family, and we could tell he was getting choked up during it. He will ask for prayers during Sunday services, too. Thank you, Pastor. They need all they can get.
You all are so very special. Many people (non-blogging or non-computer)shake their heads when I tell them about the friends I have here on Xanga. I think they think I need to get a “real” life. Well, you are all so very “real”!! I have gotten to know more about most of you than I know about the people I see in person.
I love you all!!
- Give blood. Logerquist said Savannah has received a great deal of blood, and anyone who wants to help can give blood at the local donation center.
Comments (15)
Sad news. We’ll talk tomorrow.
Sues right – we’ll talk tomorrow. Meanwhile, hugs and prayers. Why is that kind of story so much sader when it involves children? My heart goes out to your nephew and his family/
To read the more detailed news made me realise how extensive the injuries are. The children who are not physically harmed will bear the mental scars of this tragic accident for the rest of their lives. The parents must be devastated. My prayers are with all of them, may God bless them.
Marie
PS Have a lovely visit.
No matter what enjoy your time with Val and Sue. I’m so sorry about the IL family. Another one of my bloggers is in that area and has been in his store etc. She and her dau. are very concerned. If you read my post today several that we know had bad news yesterday ie: cancer.
I was so sorry to hear of this awful tragedy. I can’t inagine the pain this family is going through. I know any time my child is hurt it is so hard to take, especially if you think there is any way you could have done anything to prevent it. To lose one child and have another so grievously injured must be heartbreaking. My prayers go out to them.
I hope you enjoy your visit; I KNOW you will! It is so wonderful when Xangans can get together in the real world as well as online!
and we love YOU, mimiwi!! yes, we are real people! and i can attest to the fact, after having met several Xangans in person, they are some of the nicest, kindest, people i have ever met in my entire life and i am proud to call them friends! please know that my prayers are continuing to go up for you and your family.
Oh My! I am not up to date. That is terrible news. I am so sorry for all concerned. Prayers from this direction too!
Love from TONTOO
Thanks for the update i will contiune to hold them all up in prayer, i have seen the work of the lord on xanga with many prayers for others and this is what we are here for to hold each other up have a great time with your fellow friends from xanga
GOD BLESS,
SANDY
first time I hear of this and feel so sad for the family; know prayers are coming; God will be there to give strength and hope…so sorry mimi, I wish you and yours blessings of strength and hope as well.
praise the Lord,
sage
Its good that people of the town are helping the family at this sad time.
Hope you have a great time with the Xangan girls
such a sad story…
enjoy your visit with ur friends…. have a gr8 week
That is such a heartbreaking story. They are definitely in my prayers. I pray for a miracle for that little girl.
Wish I could be there with you all today:yes:
We are blessed to have such warm and caring friends here on Xanga. We are all VERY real.
HUGS
:heartbeat:
Yes, I am putting them on the prayer list for my group here too. It is funny when others do not blog and become friends, though at a distance. I think it all works so well for us.
I have family members and friends who roll their eyes a little when I talk about my xanga friends, but, we form our own communities on here, and we really do care about each other.
Prayers continue for the Stuebs family.
So a dig into purses and wallets along with card files is in order.