Our community recently suffered the heartbreaking loss of our beloved Barbara Bruce — a woman whose love, strength, and compassion touched everyone she met. Her sudden passing has left a deep void in the lives of many, but none more so than her youngest son, Michael.

Michael is a non-verbal autistic adult who requires round-the-clock care. Barbie devoted her life to caring for others, but above all, to caring for Michael. Michael lived with Barbara, she was his comfort, his safety, and his constant source of unconditional love.

My name is Kim. I’m the mother of Jaya, Ananda, and Jake — three of the many children Barbie helped raise. For 18 years, she cared for my kids as though were her own and they have remained a constant part of each other’s lives ever since. My children and Michael have known each other for their entire lives as they had countless slumber parties in his home. They love and care for him deeply.

A decade ago, Barbie asked me to become Michael’s legal guardian should anything ever happen to her, and I made a promise, I would care for him with the same unconditional love she showed my own children. Now, that moment has come — far sooner than any of us could have imagined. As we grieve Barbie’s loss, we are also determined to honor her and provide Michael with the support and stability he needs.

Our intention is to bring Michael into our home for this time of transition. He is eligible for social services, but they can take a while to get set up. We want to give him the space to grieve in the company of people who understand the depth of his loss. We want to gain a personal understanding of what his needs are, and to help him understand that although he doesn’t have Barbie, he still has a family. During this period, we will carefully research and find the best possible residential care facility for Michael — one that is near our home, where we can stay closely involved in his life and watch over his care for the long term.

We are reaching out for support to help us through this transition. Your donations will go directly toward:

* Specialized care and therapies for Michael as he adapts to these changes

* Daily essentials, including food, clothing, transportation, and personal care needs

* Hiring a loving, knowledgeable personal care assistant to help when insurance does not cover care

* Creating an emergency fund for unexpected or future needs

This is a time of immense change and uncertainty, and we are learning as we go. There are many things we cannot anticipate, but what we do know is that we cannot do this alone. It will take a village to give Michael the future he deserves.

Every donation, no matter the amount, helps us carry forward Barbie’s legacy — ensuring that Michael is never without the love, dignity, and compassion she gave him every day of his life.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for helping us honor Barbie and care for Michael.

With love and gratitude,
Kim, Jaya, Ananda, and Jake