Testimonials

From: April Guttierrez 

I have had MS for 18 years, but it has worsened in the last few years. I couldn't afford the new medication my doctor had prescribed and someone gave me the phone number for a group in Oakdale that might be able to help. It was Karen Basi and the Wave of Hope, but they were just starting out and didn't really have funds yet.  Karen told me about the golf tournament she and her husband were planning, to raise money.  I started working with the Wave of Hope in 2006 as a volunteer for the first golf tournament. After that very successful event, the Wave of hope was able to start a local support group in Oakdale, serving many local people living with MS.  I found other funding for the drug, but continued to attend the support group and met a whole new crowd of friends.  That support group is one of the best things the Wave of Hope has done so far.  It has turned out to be a great vehicle to discover what the MS community needs help with, and has brought the rest of the support groups in our area closer together. All the members of the groups now know that if anyone with MS needs help, to refer them to the Wave of Hope. I and my mom, who also has MS, attend the meetings regularly and were able to help Karen with the second golf tournament by helping construct the first Wave of Hope quilt.  It is a collaborative effort of all the local MS community, comprised of photographs and embroidered names of people who live with MS.  It is embroidered and sewn by them.  The finished quilt was auctioned at the second golf tournament, for which I also volunteered.

The Wave of Hope exists to help people with MS, with whatever they might need. They have helped by buying cooling gear for many, installing air conditioners, mobility devices, and ramps.  It has been able to help people financially, when necessary. Since my MS had worsened, I was finding it increasingly difficult to climb over the edge of my bathtub, but I couldn't afford to remodel the bathroom. In 2008 the Wave of Hope was able to come to my rescue by helping me convert my bathtub into a shower. 

The Wave of Hope is a great resource, not only for the financial help it provides, but also for the opportunity it gives us to be involved. It makes our lives so much better to have a way to help ourselves and others, not only by attending the support group or volunteering for fund raising. It is empowering to know that the Wave of Hope exists, and if there is a need in our community, we have a way to address it. It has been a great start for the Wave of Hope, and I'm glad to have been there since the beginning. I'm looking forward to see what they can accomplish as the years go by.

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Hi Karen. I've been meaning to write to you about those cooling vests. Recently, I had an actor friend of mine call me and ask what he should do about overheating the weekend of Chocolate Festival. He was asked to don a Star Wars costume and go pose for pictures at the festival. Most everything about his costume - besides being great - was made out of soft plastic, and with temperatures that weekend at or around 103 degrees, I got out my cooling vest (well, kits) and tried them for the first time. All I had to do was soak them for a few minutes, blot them and viola! Anthony wore the vest, neck wrap, head topper (from the baseball cap) and wristbands and never suffered a moment. That same weekend I wore JUST the wristbands and even those alone made a difference. The cooling items are going to come in handy this summer when I am out sweating at Shakespeare in the Park! And I think our organization needs to buy a few of the items for crew people we know suffer from diabetes or other ailments that are sensitive to heat.

I want to thank you and the Wave of Hope for making such a positive impact on my life and that of others. I'd like to put an informational ad in our program for your organization. Can you Email me your logo and info?

If you end up with any extra garden hats, vests, wristbands or the like, let me know. They can be donated to our group for mascot, heavy costume and SIP work.

Many thanks ... and please come see Shakespeare in the Park this year! We're doing a pirate version of Twelfth Night.

Your friend .. Joey

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Earlier this year I was attempting to purchase a battery for my electric wheelcchair. I had a question regarding taxes on medical equipment, so I gave Wave of Hope a call hoping they could answer my inquiry. Much to my surprise and delight, they offered to purchase the battery for me! I was thrilled and couldn't wait to share the news with my family and friends - the generosity of Wave of Hope.

Karen and her best friend Vicki are so kind and giving of themselves to others, and they are such a blessing to me. I am so grateful to have met them both.

Wave of Hope continues to bless me. They have made sure that I have the necesary equipment to allow me to be as comfortable as I can be.

Wave of Hope receives donations, and what they receive, goes out directly to those that have need, such as myself.

Wave of Hope is an amazing foundation. I would encourage those who are contemplating giving to do so. This is a unique foundation and I would ask that you would find out more information regarding them. I am confident that you will learn of all their good work and be excited to give, knowing that you are helping those of us who have MS.

I thankyou Wave of Hope for coming into my life, you have made my life so much more comfortable. I am so blessed. You are all remarkable!

With joy and gratitude,
Katharine