“He Restored My Faith in Humanity”
GoFundMe organizer Margaret Cotts wanted to help this selfless foster father—and ended up changing both of their lives.
A guest post written by Margaret Cotts.
I was feeling disheartened. I had read some callous comments in an online news story about refugees. It seemed that many of the commenters were indifferent to human suffering. But then I came across an article that ended up changing my life.
I read about Mohamed Bzeek in a piece by Hailey Branson-Potts in the LA Times. Mohamed has been a foster parent for over 20 years. He is the only foster parent in Los Angeles County who takes in terminally ill children. He has fostered more than 80 children. Half of those were terminally ill; 10 died in his home.
Mohamed described caring for his foster daughter, who is deaf, blind, paralyzed and developmentally disabled: “I’m always holding her, playing with her, touching her. She has feelings. She has a soul. She’s a human being.”
When I read that line, I burst into tears. I was moved by his love and care for the most vulnerable members of our society — by his genuine kindness and compassion.
Mohamed provides around-the-clock care for his foster daughter. He sleeps next to her on the couch so he can suction her in case she starts choking in the middle of the night or has a seizure. Mohamed also cares for his biological son, Adam, who has brittle bone disease.
This ceaseless dedication touched me. When I was younger, I had worked as a caregiver, but I could go always home after my shift — not like the 24-hours-a-day care Mohamed provides.
Mohamed lives his life by spiritual principles. He is patient and accepting. Reading about him helped restore my faith in humanity. He demonstrates how to be constructive, positive, and always of service.
When I reached the comments section of the article, someone had suggested starting a GoFundMe for Mohamed. Within minutes, I contacted the author and started setting up a campaign with the hopes of giving him some comfort and rest.
I had no idea of how big the GoFundMe would get. I originally set the goal at $30,000. Then, as the donations poured in that first day, I raised it to $60,000, then $100,000. Right now, more than 7,000 people from across the world have donated more than $390,000 to give back to this man who has given so much.
I originally set out to help Mohamed, but in the end, the campaign ended up helping me.
I had been depressed for months. There was something about taking that action of setting up the campaign and focusing on another person that got me out of my funk. It was healing to see the outpouring of love and donations and kind messages for Mohamed.
I know my part in this is small. People donated because they were moved by Mohamed’s story — I was simply an administrator. Setting up the GoFundMe also made me realize that it’s OK to ask for help. It inspired me to set up my own campaign: I’m working on a website about low tech communication for people who can’t speak.
There is a great deal of fear, uncertainty, and hate in the news today. Focusing on the good, and taking action to start the campaign made me feel less powerless. It feels really good to be part of something larger than myself.
Thank you, Mohamed. The world is a better place because you are in it.
