Funeral/ Expenses For Jamie Cox

In this world where breaking news consists of a celebrity bleaching her hair or the daily dose of fear, I would like to take a moment to share a real story. Like all real stories, this one has a hero and unlike the movie hero, this one doesn't even know she is one.  Her heroism mirrors that of many others who quietly carry on in the corners of our country, usually without recognition. My hero is named Sandy Cox and her every waking focus has been the red headed firecracker we see here, more commonly known as Jamie. Jamie came into this world with Down Syndrome and Autism. To his family he was a joyful gift but one that came with challenges. While he spent his days smiling in the sun with his beloved Buzz Lightyear, contentedly twirling leaves between his fingers, Sandy vowed that he would have the happiest life possible, as long as possible, in his own loving home. As Jamie got older and faced many grave health issues this became harder and harder.  A weaker soul might have given up, but not Sandy. The fastest way to fire her up was to say something couldn't be done or "wasn't our policy".  She has battled dragons in the guise of insurance companies, government offices and corporate medical, all with the single minded determination that her child would receive the care and love he was entitled to. Throughout these ordeals, when a lesser person would have felt like a victim her response was always, "Ok guys, what have we overlooked, who else can we call?" This muleheaded determination paid off time and again with one miracle after another as she literally willed him to live a little longer.  Sadly, Jamie passed away at Riley Children's Hospital on March 5th, too ill to carry on any longer, even for his Mom.  While that might have been the end of the story it is not. Jamie had no life insurance and Sandy had exhausted her resources long ago. When a friend called for a funeral home to take Jamie she was met with refusal due to the lack of money. This poor child lay at Riley with no one willing to take him because it would not pay well?  What a sad commentary this is.   Fortunately, after placing several more calls, the wonderful people at Goodwin Funeral Home in Vincennes agreed to take Jamie and give him the funeral he deserves. Their compassion at this time was deeply appreciated but Sandy worries about how to pay them.  This fund is a way to repay the funeral home and help offset some of the daunting final expenses this Mom faces. We spend so much time and money on frivolous things, can we maybe take this opportunity to honor a real unsung hero and do some genuine good?