Rhythm & Security for Kelli Whithorn

10/15/2019

Well folks, we’ve come full circle again. Over five years ago I initiated this Facebook community while sitting in the waiting room while Kelli had her second generation defibrillator surgery (thank you first generation defibrillator for lasting over 8 years!). That was the rhythm, and the security for rhythm. Then we held a benefit fundraiser to get her through the gap without social security benefits and the medical care that comes with it - there was a whole lot of rhythm and security generated that evening when my husband Ryan joined Tom Catmull in Missoula for a benefit concert and awesome raffle for Kelli. Now is my chance. I’ve been taking music lessons to help keep the wheels on my bus as I navigate a health challenge in my own journey. That’s where I started learning to play the bass guitar. Kelli crashed my Monday night lesson and I provided the rhythm while Kelli strummed the chords of “You are my Sunshine.” Pretty intoxicating. Also pictured, the magical Adam Durand who provided additional rhythm on the drums.

10/15/2019

Kelli’s trip to MN this time was for us to attend the Wildcat Sanctuary gala in Minneapolis. Kelli has been following the Wildcat Sanctuary on Facebook for many years. These cats have been rescued from painful, abusive situations and now live out their days in a therapeutic environment that is not open to the public. Kelli was brought to tears several times during the Executive Director’s presentation out of pure compassion for the cats. I was brought to tears recognizing that Kelli, above most others, can truly relate to the rescued cats, having suffered medical trauma beyond belief and living out her days with the structural consequences in her body and unrelenting pain.

My entire training and career has been focused on seeking to advance treatments to prevent suffering, and the longing to relieve suffering for Kelli has always been at the heart of my efforts. Kelli is the sovereign wild cat in my sanctuary and always will be. 💕

10/14/2019

Whelp, it’s been a long time since we posted, but Kelli Whithorn is visiting me (Cousin Lindsay Young) in Minnesota and this seems like a good time to update everyone on our adventures and Kelli’s journey since her benefit fundraiser in the summer of 2015. The main reason for seeking support back then was that Kelli had lost Social Security Disability benefits and needed to go through the whole traumatic process of applying (and appealing) again. The punch line is that her benefits were reinstated in the summer of last year after one appeal. A lot has happened since the benefit as well!

10/06/2015

Kelli's support community has become wider through the efforts of the crowdfunding campaign, benefit events, creation of the t-shirts, and posts and shares through this page. Thank you! We want to stoke the flames of social support for Kelii, and to that end we are fortunate to bring on board Dan and Ann Goettsch who will be leading the effort to generate a major social buzz around Kelli's cause. Dan has already been a great supporter as the artist who created the design for Kelli's t-shirt, and he and Ana will be helping us to interact more with you through updates and calls to action. Thank you Dan and Ana! Stay tuned!

09/29/2015

I rocked my shirt for the first time yesterday. They're super soft, a great fit & proceeds go to my trust. They're available at Rockin' Rudy's or through their website. Men, women & kids sizes available (I'm wearing a women's medium).

09/20/2015

A huge shout out to Charles Baxter, Kelli's uncle, and his friend Fritz. Charles shared Kelli's crowdfunding campaign website with friends and colleagues, and Fritz responded by buying up all of the available "Montana - Music for the Soul" t-shirts that Rockin' Rudy's printed to support Kelli's fund. Fritz distributed the t-shirts at a recent conference and created quite a buzz of support. We are so appreciative of all the support rolling in for Kelli. Thank you Charles and Fritz!

09/12/2015

It's the last day of Kelli's crowdfunding campaign! Thank you everyone who has visited the site, read Kelli's story, watched the video, and made it real by donating! Please visit/revisit the site and see updates, check out our "Montana - Music for the Soul" t-shirts that benefit Kelli, and peruse our image gallery of touching and embarrassing photos of Kelli from the 1980s and 1990s!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rhythm-and-security-for-kelli-whithorn #/story

Help Kelli regain Social Security Disability as she faces the repercussions of childhood cancer. | Crowdfunding is a democratic way to support the fundraising needs of your community. Make a contribution today!

07/22/2015

What a great night! Here's a video for those of you who couldn't come. You can still make a donation here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rhythm-and-security-for-kelli-whithorn #/story
Thanks again everyone!

07/22/2015

It was a heartwarming experience to see so many of you at the benefit. I'm humbled by all the love and support you've shown me. I had a great time! Tom Catmull and Ryan David Young put together a band that kept people dancing all night, including me. I would especially like to thank Lindsay Young, Rockin' Rudy's and The Top Hat. It couldn't have happened without them. Thank you so much to everyone!
Love, Kelli

07/17/2015

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated, performed in, and attended the benefit for Kelli last night!

This effort for Kelli is a long-term project and will be continuing in a number of ways. Although this page is an effort on behalf of her, we'd like to share the posting microphone with her so she can express gratitude for the outpouring of support from yesterday's event. Stay tuned!