The Ames Project
Donation protected
If you have found yourself on this page, it’s because you are part of our deep, wide, and expansive community of support. You are part of our village. We are the village surrounding Sarah Beth, Geoffrey, and Ames Buck. We are the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, family, church members, colleagues, and in some cases, caring strangers. The fact that you’re reading this means you care, and we are forever grateful.
This campaign has been created as a response to the overwhelming outpouring of love and desire of many people in the Buck’s community to show them love and support. The Bucks have been blessed with excellent health and life insurance and don’t anticipate any additional unexpected costs associated with Ames’ medical care. Yet, SO many of you have asked, “How can I help? What can I do?" and this is meant to be an outlet for that generous desire. Thank you for finding this page, for reading Ames’ story, for diligently praying throughout this journey, and for creatively loving on these three beautiful humans.
If you want a refresher or you’re new to Ames’ journey, please read below for some words from his mama:
“Our Ames Michael Muir Buck was born on February 26, 2020. As Ames took his first breath, my very first words were, "what is life?" And there we were - we were off, with wild and open hearts and big plans for the future. About three months into Ames’ life, we noticed significant muscle weakness and a concerning divet in his chest. From there, things got complicated and the unknowns became endless: lots of doctor appointments, tests, procedures, therapies, pokes, and prods. Consistently negative or inconclusive diagnostic testing. We all knew something was wrong, but we couldn’t find the answer despite extensively exhausting our diagnostic journey. As time has passed, Ames has lost nearly all mobility to his body, struggles to comfortably breathe without respiratory support, and cannot eat at all on his own. Through it all, Ames has proven to be simply remarkable. He is such a ‘joy boy’ no matter what is happening: cracking smiles and stealing hearts wherever he is. Truly, his clinicians just cannot get enough of him! There is something about his eyes… he just knows things. An old soul in ways. He carries deep peace and has the ability to take it all in. In his year of life, he has been a calm in the storm, a consistent steady spirit. We hope to return a sense of peace to him while he is here. We want to be kind, and loving, and honor him through all of his days. Before we even knew Ames, we prayed over him to be a non-anxious presence, a beloved friend to all, and a safe haven. Such divine prayers over our boy who lives into these qualities so naturally. Our biggest desire is to gift these things back to him.”
Ames does not have a diagnosis. His case is exceptionally rare.
He’s one of a kind.
All the tests. And still no diagnosis.
We DO know that Ames has severe sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy.
Incurable. No treatments. No healing. Progressive, as we're witnessing.
Ames has been earthside for one short year. Ames’ beloved physicians have said that they expect weeks to months before we say our final goodbye.
A collective decision was made by Ames’ doctors and parents to step into hospice care. To alleviate his pain, his suffering, and to make him as comfortable as possible at the end of his life.
“Our choice for Ames to be in hospice is one to deeply honor and dignify his life. To show him the deepest level of kindness we know-how. He gets to be with us, in our home. He’s with his dog, his balloons, and has his favorite people always surrounding him.”
Collected gifts could go towards:
- Fun bucket list ideas for Ames, including, but not limited to; a special swing for him in the backyard, the house filled with helium balloons, a hot air balloon festival (Ames LOVES balloons), a sunny day at the zoo, swinging in a hammock in the mountains, swimming at the local rec. center, etc.
- Freedom and time to grieve. These gifts will help Sarah Beth return to work at her own pace.
- A respite trip for the Bucks as they grieve and heal.
- Donations to a foundation that researches genetic diagnostics for kids without diagnoses like Ames, another family in need, or medical institutions that have loved Ames well. Other possibilities may include ways to honor and remember this "joy boy” to SB and Geo’s leading.
If you’ve spoken with Sarah Beth or Geoffrey along the way, you’ve witnessed heartache, pain, grief, and frustration. But we’re confident you’ve also witnessed Ames’ parents fighting for their “joy boy,” eloquently expressing deep gratitude, creatively finding and making joy, and incomprehensible endurance and strength.
As fellow members of this village, thank you for the endless prayers for Ames’ body, for Sarah Beth and Geoffrey’s hearts, minds, and souls. Thank you for being HERE. With them. SB and Geo have requested that you provide an address and/or email if you feel comfortable. They would love to keep in touch and share their deep gratitude for the ways you bless and carry them through this time in their life.
A few last words from SB and Geo:
“We’re so incredibly humbled by your love and the space you hold for us.
We’ve never been more blown away by the community around us.
We share Ames so openly because we know he is such a remarkable soul.
His impact is large and wide, and what a joy to witness the work he’s doing in his short time with us.
We’re so grateful you love him.
That you remember him.
That you cherish him.
That you speak into his purpose.
He is known, and that heals us.
As a dear friend has spoken over him, “Ames will not be defined by what he cannot do”.
How true is that?
You, our community, are the most beautiful things of this world.
Love to each and every one of you.
Just so much love.”
*Update*
I want to start by saying my nephew Ames went to be with the Lord on March 23, 2021. Thank you to everyone for your continued support and please share this fundraiser with everyone so we can continue to spread their story.
I (Andrew Poehler) also want to clarify my relationship as the organizer for this fundraiser to Sarah Elizabeth Buck and Geoffrey Buck. Sarah is my youngest sister and of course Geoffrey is my brother in law.
Thank you!
This campaign has been created as a response to the overwhelming outpouring of love and desire of many people in the Buck’s community to show them love and support. The Bucks have been blessed with excellent health and life insurance and don’t anticipate any additional unexpected costs associated with Ames’ medical care. Yet, SO many of you have asked, “How can I help? What can I do?" and this is meant to be an outlet for that generous desire. Thank you for finding this page, for reading Ames’ story, for diligently praying throughout this journey, and for creatively loving on these three beautiful humans.
If you want a refresher or you’re new to Ames’ journey, please read below for some words from his mama:
“Our Ames Michael Muir Buck was born on February 26, 2020. As Ames took his first breath, my very first words were, "what is life?" And there we were - we were off, with wild and open hearts and big plans for the future. About three months into Ames’ life, we noticed significant muscle weakness and a concerning divet in his chest. From there, things got complicated and the unknowns became endless: lots of doctor appointments, tests, procedures, therapies, pokes, and prods. Consistently negative or inconclusive diagnostic testing. We all knew something was wrong, but we couldn’t find the answer despite extensively exhausting our diagnostic journey. As time has passed, Ames has lost nearly all mobility to his body, struggles to comfortably breathe without respiratory support, and cannot eat at all on his own. Through it all, Ames has proven to be simply remarkable. He is such a ‘joy boy’ no matter what is happening: cracking smiles and stealing hearts wherever he is. Truly, his clinicians just cannot get enough of him! There is something about his eyes… he just knows things. An old soul in ways. He carries deep peace and has the ability to take it all in. In his year of life, he has been a calm in the storm, a consistent steady spirit. We hope to return a sense of peace to him while he is here. We want to be kind, and loving, and honor him through all of his days. Before we even knew Ames, we prayed over him to be a non-anxious presence, a beloved friend to all, and a safe haven. Such divine prayers over our boy who lives into these qualities so naturally. Our biggest desire is to gift these things back to him.”
Ames does not have a diagnosis. His case is exceptionally rare.
He’s one of a kind.
All the tests. And still no diagnosis.
We DO know that Ames has severe sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy.
Incurable. No treatments. No healing. Progressive, as we're witnessing.
Ames has been earthside for one short year. Ames’ beloved physicians have said that they expect weeks to months before we say our final goodbye.
A collective decision was made by Ames’ doctors and parents to step into hospice care. To alleviate his pain, his suffering, and to make him as comfortable as possible at the end of his life.
“Our choice for Ames to be in hospice is one to deeply honor and dignify his life. To show him the deepest level of kindness we know-how. He gets to be with us, in our home. He’s with his dog, his balloons, and has his favorite people always surrounding him.”
Collected gifts could go towards:
- Fun bucket list ideas for Ames, including, but not limited to; a special swing for him in the backyard, the house filled with helium balloons, a hot air balloon festival (Ames LOVES balloons), a sunny day at the zoo, swinging in a hammock in the mountains, swimming at the local rec. center, etc.
- Freedom and time to grieve. These gifts will help Sarah Beth return to work at her own pace.
- A respite trip for the Bucks as they grieve and heal.
- Donations to a foundation that researches genetic diagnostics for kids without diagnoses like Ames, another family in need, or medical institutions that have loved Ames well. Other possibilities may include ways to honor and remember this "joy boy” to SB and Geo’s leading.
If you’ve spoken with Sarah Beth or Geoffrey along the way, you’ve witnessed heartache, pain, grief, and frustration. But we’re confident you’ve also witnessed Ames’ parents fighting for their “joy boy,” eloquently expressing deep gratitude, creatively finding and making joy, and incomprehensible endurance and strength.
As fellow members of this village, thank you for the endless prayers for Ames’ body, for Sarah Beth and Geoffrey’s hearts, minds, and souls. Thank you for being HERE. With them. SB and Geo have requested that you provide an address and/or email if you feel comfortable. They would love to keep in touch and share their deep gratitude for the ways you bless and carry them through this time in their life.
A few last words from SB and Geo:
“We’re so incredibly humbled by your love and the space you hold for us.
We’ve never been more blown away by the community around us.
We share Ames so openly because we know he is such a remarkable soul.
His impact is large and wide, and what a joy to witness the work he’s doing in his short time with us.
We’re so grateful you love him.
That you remember him.
That you cherish him.
That you speak into his purpose.
He is known, and that heals us.
As a dear friend has spoken over him, “Ames will not be defined by what he cannot do”.
How true is that?
You, our community, are the most beautiful things of this world.
Love to each and every one of you.
Just so much love.”
*Update*
I want to start by saying my nephew Ames went to be with the Lord on March 23, 2021. Thank you to everyone for your continued support and please share this fundraiser with everyone so we can continue to spread their story.
I (Andrew Poehler) also want to clarify my relationship as the organizer for this fundraiser to Sarah Elizabeth Buck and Geoffrey Buck. Sarah is my youngest sister and of course Geoffrey is my brother in law.
Thank you!
Co-organizers (2)
Geoffrey and Sarah Beth Buck
Organizer
Littleton, CO
Angie Corogin
Co-organizer