October, 30th, 2010 I said farewell to my dear friend Marina Angelica Klein. I was blessed to be able to be there for her entire journey as she bravely fought Glioblastoma , the most common and most aggressive type of primary brain tumor in humans. I met Marina 25 years ago. She was my first friend with a "difference". Marina was born with a rare type of congenital anomaly called "ectrodactyly" syndrome. Ectrodactyly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Both of her feet were "different" as was one of her hands.
Her physical differences were something we never spoke of until I gave birth to my son Jacob 11 years ago. She opened up about what it was like to grow up with a "lobster-like" hand and how she rose above it by setting no limits for herself. (A lesson we could all live by!) Marina was a brilliant attorney and a guardian ad litem for children. Marina's differences NEVER defined her!!! In fact most people never even noticed them!
Sharing her beliefs with me, that if I set no limits for Jacob, the sky would be the limit, helped me become the best mother that I could be to a child with special needs ! It also inspired me to bring those beliefs into the work I do each day with Personal Ponies.
Last May we were able to bring our tiny therapeutic charity pony "Buttons" to the University of Florida, School of Veterinary Medicine for life saving surgery. Because we had the funds to do so, Buttons did not have to be sent "Over The Rainbow Bridge". He is now 100% healthy and able to continue making a positive difference in the lives of children with special needs.
To honor and celebrate the life of my dear friend Marina, I will continue to share her strength and spirit through her core beliefs, that she generously shared with me! I have set up this special fund called "MIRACLES FROM MARINA" . Funds will be used for catastrophic medical care of our therapeutic charity ponies.
