Helping Sandy during recovery!

As many of you know, Sandy Cameron is not only a gifted and talented amazing violinist - she is a caring, loving soul who has given herself to so many people, so many causes, and so many lives. From when she was a young girl - she already had it in her heart to help bring the gift of music to as many people as she could. She started raising funds for Poolesville children in order for them to have a music program and to support the community as a whole. She has played in nursing homes, she has helped people raise money for illnesses and care, she has given her talent freely to so many to do all she can to make this place a better world. It is for this beautiful soul I am coming to you.

I personally have known Sandy since she was a teenager, when she was studying at Juilliard (her mom and dad driving from Maryland every single weekend to NY - for years - giving all they could financially, in time and love in order for their daughter to get the best training she could, to help her reach her dreams of playing violin for the world). They have also put her through Harvard University along side the New England Conservatory Program. They saw her passion and talent and encouraged her to share it in all the ways they could.

This family has become a part of my family. I met her when I worked for the Stradivari Society and she won my heart before I even met her. She is a mentor to my little girl, a dear friend and what we have come to refer to as "sisters". All this to say - the love I have in my heart for her is beyond measure and as with any family member or dear friend, there is nothing I would not do to help her in her time of need.

Many do not know but Sandy was rear-ended in a car accident over 6 months ago and since that time she has been fighting for her livelihood on so many levels. She incurred a severe head injury in the accident which has left her with a tremendous amount of pain and suffering, a brain injury, and an extremely hard recovery. Amazingly, her ability to still play her instrument has been the driving force behind her recovery and bring her healing which is going to be a long road and she needs our help. This playing is not without severe side effects but she pushes herself and is doing all she can to fully heal.

As anyone who has been around artists for any length of time knows, this industry is one of the hardest to survive in - without having any injuries. Sandy has been playing since she was 7 with amazing orchestras, with conductors, composers, she has played in many films we have all seen and other talents all over the world but it does not come easily and financially it is a travesty what people in this industry are paid. When the pandemic hit - so many artists lost their abilities to earn a living. So coming back from that was hard enough! Then this happened.

The person who hit her had very limited insurance and that has not even covered her initial stay in the hospital. Fighting with insurance companies is a long drawn out, emotional battle that many of us know well and usually only the attorneys recover anything. Her bills are piling and this adds to stress that impacts her recovery. This had been very private so it not easy even starting this fundraiser. Sandy is such a responsible person - always wanting to pull her own and giving to all but never asking in return. Her parents have helped in so many ways and have put their own livelihood in jeopardy to get her medical care, to be there for her - flying back and forth across the country to care for her in this most challenged time, pay what they can to keep her treatments going. Just writing this breaks my heart for all involved.

Our country - as great as it is, has some major pitfalls for the basic American. To no fault of her own Sandy has been put in the most precarious position and the person who caused this is not helping, the insurance system is not helping... and so there is no one to help except "we the people" and so I am reaching out to do just that. We are trying to raise as much as we can to help her not only get the treatments she needs that insurance will not cover, but to help relieve her and her parents of the daily life needs (food, housing, transportation - she cannot drive now and they have no car in LA when they come in - renting a car has been astronomical - she cannot take public transportation because the movement and brain stimulation are too much). We want to help her remain in her apartment and ultimately to get her back to playing full time and sharing the gift and light that is so tremendous that it should never be put out. I pray people will be willing to help.

I thank you in advance for doing anything you can to help her, for sharing this with as many people as you can. If you know of any resources that can be applied to for help please send that to me too. If you have not had a chance to see her perform - just take a look on YouTube and you will see her incredible talent. Her website is Sandycameron.com. Feel free to share that too so people can know who she is, and to support her in any loving way they can! Prayers are also a tremendous help! God hears us and can do ALL things!