At the time I found out that my daughter had MRSA my life was already chaotic with trying to help her adjust to life again after being in jail for a year, and dealing with the poverty of having to live on SSI, about $620. a month, and keep up a household that include my boyfriend/caregiver, my youngest daughter and her daughter. I spent the first week after finding out that Jami had CA MRSA reading everything I could find and then I started calling all of the local TV stations and newspapers trying to alert the community. Then, after that first week, I just pretty much froze in place in a limbo of fear that I could never do what needed to be done. I’m on disability for Fibromyalgia and Manic Depression, as well as chronic depression plus I was suffering from a herniated disc in my back at the time. I had sat in a court room less than a year before and heard myself declared no longer viable to society in any way and I started seriously questioning myself, almost sure I was deluding myself thinking that a sick, Bi Polar woman could do anything to save her daughter or make a difference in any way. This feeling really intensified when none of the media I contacted even called or wrote me back. Then a friend of mine miles away, I haven’t seen her in over thirty years and we had only just found each other on the internet again, Bev, emailed me and asked how the public was reacting to the news and commented that Jami was lucky to have me to fight for her. And the cloud of failure and pain I had stumbled into just blew away in that gust of faith. Bev had no doubt that I would do whatever needed to be done and that my voice was an important addition to those already looking for help and answers. Bev herself, who I esteem highly, was and is in the midst of horrifying family problems trying to get custody of a granddaughter being abused at home with an addicted mother. Her words of faith and praise to me, and me knowing the things she already had on her own plate, gave me the strength and faith I needed to pick up the ball and keep going. This blog is a tribute to my loving friend Bev and all the other family and friends of those facing MRSA who stand beside us proudly and behind us prodding us. God bless Bev and every one of you. Rhoda