Four years ago to the day, a thread was started that was to become the most significant and important in the history of the forum. This was not just for one child, and one family but for what it showed the forum to be. Putting all arguments and stresses aside, this was a community worth nurturing, because when one of our own really needed it, the forum was there
The day after the thread started in 2007, and at a time of huge uncertainty for the family, here was our hero on Christmas Day, aged 3
Reece Snape
Re-reading the whole thread yesterday
http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=29927.30 and it brings home what an ordeal it was, and continued to be
Reece was born with a serious bowel condition, life threatening and in his now seven years he has had hundreds of operations.
I am going to pick out a few posts on the thread, just to illustrate some of the issues the family have experienced
April 2008
"
Maureen just rang. Reece is out of surgery. The operation took almost 10 hours and Reece has over 2000 internal stitches.
He is now in intensive care. Maureen said he has tubes everywhere and he is on a ventilator.
The operation was a success in as much as they did what they set out to do. i.e. cut his stomach open and sew it back together in such a way as to double it's capacity.
Reece started out with only 18cm of intestine. Over the last few months that has been increased to 40+cm by forcing milk into it and then making him hold it there for ever longer periods.
Today, that 40+cm was doubled to 80+cm.
If I understand this properly. 80cm is viable. Enough to sustain life, but...
Over the next year they have to teach Reece to eat, (I don't think he ever has) and then hope that his stomach is capable of absorbing nutrients.
So, a long way to go, but today was a success, and that's all we could hope for.Through it all he, and his family, have shown enormous spirit and courage and this is documented throughout a four year thread
Many blonde members have shown considerable practical, financial and most of all emotional support to Maureen and her family over this time. Even if you just read or wrote in the thread, I know it helped. Special mention must be made of RED-DOG and tikay who were by Maureen and family's side constantly over the years, and I know were always there for them.
In terms of finances, Maureen and family also had to deal with the aftermath and stress caused by the P4C fund raising event at the Western Club that many of us attended. However before and after that blonde members have made a huge difference in the quality of Reece's life
May 2008
"Charity begins at home.
That is what being part of the Blonde forum is to some, a second home with a chosen family. Like every large family it has it’s heated debates from time to time but last night at DTD we saw that family come together along with the DTD guys and donate money for Reece. I was lost for words when Tony called me up to hand over some money from you all and did not have it in me say just how grateful we are. I could not even try and thank you all individually face to face as it I do get very emotional. Then Paul Jackson along with Simon Trumper kept adding to the pot from other kind donations.
For any of you that have had to take care of someone with special needs and constant hospital journeys you will know it does take a big strain on not only your state of mind but on your finances too.
Our aim is to take Reece on holiday as soon as he is able to do so. Truthfully it would be the obvious destination, Disney World but at this stage in his life that is a million miles away, as he is still reliant on machines, failing that a short break in the UK would be good for him. In total I was given £980 last night from you all , this will be added to the remaining £300 of Julian Thews recent donation and will be used accordingly to enrich Reece’s life in whatever way we feel he needs it. This will include a much needed family holiday.
From the bottom of our hearts we would like to thank you all for the money and the gifts we received last night. You will never possibly know how much this all means to us.
THANK YOU BLONDE FAMILY and DTD.
Regards Darren, Maureen, Stacey and the hero Reece."Over the course of 2007-11 members have donated thousands of pounds to help that dream be realised. Some were anonymous, and will remain so. Some sadly won't be on the forum to post on this thread (not allowed to post or not active these days ) and it would be remiss of me not to mention Colchester Kev, sofaKing and Rooky9 whose fund raising efforts made such a difference. I can't mention everyone, but if you donated you made an enormous difference
Anyway, all this came this to fruition in the summer of 2011. Money raised, insurance and medical hassles sorted Reece and family headed off to Florida
I don't want to put words into Maureen's mouth, but I might suggest that 2011 has been the most encouraging year yet and that finally the family is able to look ahead with some confidence at the future for Reece.
December 2011
"He's SEVEN you know, this Sunday.
SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN........Still no TPN managing nicely on gastro feeds nightly into his micky peg in his belly, plus eating whatever he wants.
We had a scare last month but after many tests in one day barium meals etc it has been decided that although his bowel is dilated in places and maybe narrowing too no immediate surgery is needed unless the narrowing becomes more of a problem, which we hope to who ever it wont.
He is still the up n coming comedian loves nothing better than to make people laugh, loves his Grandad more than one could ever imagine a child could love anyone at his age and not be embarrassed to show it. I take second seat when it comes to Granddad, just look at the two of them and think ....perfect... just love to see him come shining through, gives me a sense of achievement too hard to explain i think.
I have not updated much because interest seemed to fade and after all it is a poker forum. However to those that have so generously made a massive difference to not only Reece's life but our too this update is for you. "Here is Reece this Christmas. Now 7, no doubt a handful and raring to go
| Click to see full-size image. |
Happy Christmas Reece, and happy christmas to all blondes.
/endthread.
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