I N S P I R E

Children see.

Children hear.

Children feel.

Children hurt.

And they do so in pure silence.

In a second, a child's life can be shattered forever. Sad...yes. Real...yes.

Some have questioned my plight lately and I respect that. My shift was sudden and my passion prominent. It rolled a lot of heads, and to me that's a good thing. As most of you know I was touched by a little boy's fight after being shaken so strongly he was put into a coma.

As I started blogging, created WHIM and then drove a fundraiser I began to hear others stories about SBS, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, Post Partum Depression and many other forms and degrees of abuse. I also heard stories from people with disabled and ill children who are fighting for their lives. Being a child of a disabled parent I am not unfamiliar with struggle, challenge, adversity and daily change. But, I have never had my life, or my child's, ripped out from underneath me and I pray I never do. Yet that doesn't lessen my passion for those who are enduring this battle or whom have suffered this kind of loss.

My son I N S P I R E S me and is my reason for wanted to do and be more. He is my reason to try and make this world a slightly better place, if possible. And I believe it is possible.

When you have children you get to grow up all over again and you appreciate it so much more. You enjoy things and relish in their delights. You can be silly and zany and have carefree moments.

For the bad days where life has not taught us any better, we must teach ourselves to let go. To walk away. To count to ten. To breathe. To do anything but what our physical instincts tell us to do.

I don't know what the ultimate answer is but I do know this...awareness and education are essential to saving lives. To saving even one life.

To all of the people who have shared their stories with me and even provided some insight and suggestions on where I could possibly take WHIM, thank you. You are the reason I do this.

Goodnight my friends. Sleep well and peaceful and may you make a difference in a person's life tomorrow.

NM

The Starfish Story - Dedicated to my Starfish Savers!

A very special thank you to the beautiful women who supported and participated in The Body Shop at Home fundraiser for baby Kaleb!

You made a difference in the life of another...

you are MY STARFISH SAVERS!

After hosting a fabulous GNO (Girls Night Out) at my home earlier tonight as part of a fundraiser for baby Kaleb, I was a mix of emotions. I am nowhere near my monetary goal but, as my dear friend Traci reminded me...it is one more dollar than what was raised previously and I have gained more from this journey that I could have ever imagined and that my dear Starfish lovers, is priceless!

As I was wrapping up my evening tonight and trying to get to bed (as you can see I've yet to make it) I picked up my trusty PARENTS magazine (July 2007) and landed square on the page that had this story...I've seen it before and it is a brilliant testament to what can happen when just one person takes a step towards greatness.

The Starfish Story

~

A little girl was walking along a beach that was covered with thousands of starfish left ding in the sun by the receding tide. Seeking to help, she picked up a starfish and tossed it back into the ocean.

A man, amused by her action, said to her, "Little girl, there are too many starfish. You will never make a difference." Discouraged, she began to walk away. Suddenly, she turned around, picked up another starfish, and tossed it as far as she could back into the sea. Turning to the man, she smiled and said, "I made a difference to that one!"

The man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had said and done. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing the starfish back into the sea. Soon others joined, and all the starfish were saved.

What did I gain from this journey? The realization that I can make a difference and that I will make a difference, even when there are those who think I won't. I've gained faith, patience, love and respect for the many blessings in my life called friends (and family) as I have received tons of kind words, thoughts, prayers and support. People believe in me and what I believe in and those are the kinds of miles that can circle the earth several times around! I am only one girl with a dream and some serious passion...but I am girl with a heck of a lot of beautiful and amazing friends and this journey would not be possible without each and every one of you! I love you all and you are all so close to my heart...thank you!

Together we can make a difference,

one precious starfish at a time.

http://www.myspace.com/womenharmonizedinmovement

http://www.myspace.com/helpkaleb

Fundraiser starts NOW! 07/07/07

$2,500.00 in 10 days starting today! Call me crazy, but I am a believer.

I believe that we can make a big difference in a small child's life.

I believe that when people unite, changes are made that last a lifetime.

I believe in harmony and peace for all.

I believe that children truly are the future and we need to do better by them.

I believe that there are many more friends to be made in this world...start today.

I believe that a child has more knowledge than the average adult. Adults think they know everything already.

I believe that we never stop learning, growing and changing.

I believe that if you truly life that you won't be afraid to die.

I believe in heroes and miracles.

I believe in my son.

I believe in myself.

I believe in all of you.

www.thebodyshopathome.com/web/salbertson
Host code: KALEB or NICOLE MILLER

Believe with me...thank you!

Fundraiser Beginning!

News arrived today that baby Kaleb may be able to come home as early as next week and that is truly beautiful news! So now the clock is racing for many as fundraisers everywhere are in motion to raise money for Kaleb's Mini-Van! Kaleb was fitted for a specialized stroller and it's his parents dream to take him to the park someday. As I keep saying, I can completely relate to the struggles that the Schwade's will face with Kaleb's homecoming, recovery and daily life, but don't think for one second that I feel sorry for them. Not a chance...Kaleb is coming home and that is a miracle and a blessing and I am so joyous for them! It took a long time for me to stop crying each time I thought about Kaleb, prayed for him and say his picture. He is my little angel hero and his fight and story will keep going for a very long time to come.

My own fundraising efforts are almost in place through The Body Shop At Home/Traci Young and I ask each of you to please help Kaleb and his family find some normalcy in their lives. For the cost of a hand or foot cream, you can make a difference in so many ways. You won't just be purchasing a lotion; you'll be supporting a child shaken into a coma at the hands of a paid daycare provider entrusted to care for him. You'll be uniting a family even stronger in their faith and dreams. You'll be supporting SBS (Shaken Baby Syndrome) Awareness and supporting a great cause. You'll be investing in children and their (and your) future. Do I sound like a UNICEF ad yet?

I look at my son every moment I get and I am so blessed and grateful for the time we have. He is a gift and he teaches me many things. I wonder what he will be and do someday; what his life will be like. Will he make a difference in this world in a big and positive way?

Not if someone takes that away from him.

Please help spread the message. Never shake a baby. Never hit a baby or child. Walk away.

Please join me in my journey to bring awareness about child abuse, SBS and many other levels of harm to children. Stop the hate and the violence.

Children are our future...won't you invest in yours? I'm certainly going to invest in mine.

Nicole Miller, Founder of WHIM (Women Harmonized In Movement) 2007