March 2005

Dear fairy friends and supporters

The Easter Bunny has duly delivered some scrumy chocolate to the Butler household but more importantly the fairy dust and fairy magic continues in abundance. Aimee thought she would surprise her dad on his birthday by sprinkling some fairy dust in his bed - however since she can't spell "little" and has no idea what the word means, her daddy sparkled for days until it all wore off.

She is making slow and steady progress and we hope that after the Easter holidays she will be able to go back to school on a part-time basis.

A couple of weeks ago we enjoyed a short break in London where we went to see the Lion King and the new Mary Poppins show and went on the London Eye. It was lovely spring weather and although it was exhausting it was well worth the trip. A magical moment along the way was Aimee being serenaded by the Elvis Presley Cleaning Company with "wont you be my teddy bear?" as she had lunch in the hotel.

We are making good progress with the fairy box idea for children on the Schiehallion Ward at Yorkhill - thank you to all of you who have contribued to its success.

We have come such a long way from this time last year - each day is precious and to be savoured.

light and love
Rosie and Aimee

Dear Fairy Friends

It feels like Christmas all over again – even down to the snow which
surrounds us this morning.

Six months to the day after Aimee’s bone marrow transplant we are at home and at last beginning to feel that we are truly home. After some worrying weeks caused by Aimee’s falling blood counts, she seems to have turned another most welcome corner in her epic journey. While others may have circumnavigated the world in record time, our Aimee keeps on in her journey because in her own words – “she wants to win against her leukaemia more that her leukaemia wants to win against her”

To celebrate this important milestone our fairy princess – resplendent in fairy gown, crown, silver bracelet and sequined slippers dressed early – spent the day building complex structures in the knex construction kit – something of a contradiction in terms you might think. But no, just another example of the sheer focus and determination that has seen her through the last fourteen months.

The family celebrated with a family dinner more than touched with a hint of valentine’s day which is just around the corner.

We are blessed that Aimee is part of our family, that she and her brother Leigh are such firm friends and supporters of each other …. And we are blessed to have reached this milestone with the love and support of some many people close to us at home and close to us at heart despite being a world away

Happy Valentine’s Day

Light and love

Rosie and Aimee xxoo

Latest News
22nd November 2004

Hi David and Myrea

Aimee and I were out for lunch today with a very good friend of ours who had traveled through from Dundee to spend the day with us. We were looking in the Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow when we saw Myrea'a wonderful fairies in the Thornton's shop there. Naturally we name-dropped to say that they had been created by a very good friend of ours and happened to mention that the fairies world website was sooooo... worth a visit.

I secretly spied some wonderful boxes that will make their way into Santa's sack before the big day

Myrea - we think you are simply wonderful - what a special gift to be able to share with others what you sense and feel about the fairy world. Thank you both too for the wonderful pack of fairy art and books that you gifted to the Queens Hotel for their fund raiser - they were very much sought after items.

Aimee managed a trip home to Dundee over the halloween weekend to visit a few friends but was soon exhausted. We have spent much of the past year with a lot of very ill childern where in comparison Aimee has been comparatively well. It became obvious that she had a long way to go to recover anything near her former strength.

She wants to be well so much and has to be reminded that every small step forward leads to a bigger one. It will be at least a year before she has regained a good measure of her former strength, it is now three months since her transplant and we are grateful that she has managed to stay out of hospital over the last month, visiting regularly for blood tests though

We are beginning to feel a bit more at ease in our routine now and even managing a few trips out. We were given tickets to see the Moscow Ballet in Sleeping Beauty at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall which we thoroughly enjoyed. Our son Leigh is taking us all by surprise in exploring his potential as a stand up comic and appearing at the Glasgow " Stand" Comedy club.

Our next mile stone will hopefully be the completion of the 100 post transplant days in late November. We hope to have a short break then to celebrate and after that start count down to Christmas. We are very much looking to being home for Christmas.

From: "Rosie Butler To: "David Riché" Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 10:03 PM
Subject: an update on Aimee

Dear Friends of Aimee

It's been a few days since I last wrote and many of you would not know that Aimee had a serious blood infection that gave us all a worrying time and a set back just as she was making a good recovery from her transplant. The love and support of friends has been wonderful and thankfully Aimee has made a full recovery from the septacemia. Our priority now is to help her grow strong and free of infection as the new bone marrow grafts into its new home.She has had a new central line inserted and so far it seems to be settling in well, even better news is that Aimee has resumed being allowed out on pass and even on overnight pass - for the moment she sleeps in Mum's bed. We know that each day is not to be prejudged and are grateful for every good day that we have.

David, once again the fairy artists have stepped forward with their own special healing magic. Warnes the publishers of Cecily Mary Barkers Flower Fairy books kindly sent some of the latest new ones for Aimee to help cheer her as she recovered from the septacemia, she enjoyed them very much and is proud to add them to her growing collection. It is lovely to see a new generation of these wonderful poems become more generally available.
Ryu Takeuchi the Japanese artist sent Aimee a new set of fairy prints - it is lovely to see how his work is evovling and changing - Aimee especially likes his use of colour. Another artist - Jasmine Becket-Griffith- sent a delightful set of prints of fairies and cats - as you know two of Aimee's most favourite subjects.
Linda Ravenscroft sent a beautiful fairy face and made it into game where Aimee could change the features, and Linda Biggs sent some lovely Barbie dolls from the US.
The Bad Monkeys at David Delamare's studio's are sending some fairy prints to the children and staff on the ward. Marcia Mayer Zinga who wrote the wonderful book Believing in Faries - a Manual for Grown Ups - ( and which was beautifully illustrated by Tom Cross on the front cover ) was especially supportive.
Friends at home too - our honorary Grandparents John and Rosemary continue to love and support Aimee in a very special way. Many more reminded us just how much Aimee is in their thoughts and prayers. I am still trying to catch up with the thank yous. We seem to live in a space and time which is all consuming and is all to easy to forget that there is another world going on.

The Fairy Artists have been so kind and thoughtful, each day it gives Aimee added strength to see more fairy wishes arrive in the post, that strength gives us all hope for her recovery.

I like the re-design of the Fairies World website - you certainly seem to not only have created a very special niche and made it your own but you have had the wisdom to allow it to blossom into its own very special genre. I know many people that are now very much aware of fairies in the world around them and to be sure I am too following in that path. You will recall that together with friends of mine we hosted a very special mid summer's night fairy supper for Aimee - ever the optimist we plan to hold another dinner on the night of the winter soltice - hopefully we will be home in Dundee by then.

As ever David and Myrea and fairy friends, sincere and grateful thanks for all your love and support

To all fairy friends of Aimee

You are right to call this wonderful circle 'A Special Fairy Ring' - I hope it becomes evermore inclusive

It has certainly touched our lives in a ways that I would not have been able to imagine - Aimee holds her part of the silver thread that connects you all - for my part I feel an honoured guest.

Alongside Aimee's own reiki I have had some truly remarkable healing experiences myself in recent months - we are blessed to have met a gifted reiki master who has opened the way for healing for all the family and has brought some awareness of reiki to parents on the children's ward where Aimee is being cared for. He has also taught us some chi exercises to help us keep our own connection with the universal energy - I feel a huge benefit from them and regularly do them with Aimee.

Aimee's progress post transplant has been quite outstanding - she has positively broken every expectation that the medical staff had of caring for children pre and post transplant - it seems to me that whatever "book" Aimee is following in her recovery - it is quite different from the one the rest of us are using

Letter to Fairies World® from Rosie (Aimee's Mum)

I had not realised when I began to share Aimee's story with you at Fairies World that my words would touch so many people in such a profound way - it is only one account of living with childhood leukaemia - sadly there will be thousands more around the world - perhaps hearing how you have all rallied around Aimee will help others to see how they can help sick children that they know off
The internet when it works for something like this is a powerful bridge
of communication and understanding

A very special day for Aimee yesterday as she received her bone marrow transplant at Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow

Since August 4th Aimee has been preparing for the transplant with chemotherapy and radiotherapy - apart from only a handful of occasions Aimee was really quite well going into the transplant. In fact at one point we had to remind her that she was supposed to be ill.

Our idea of transforming her lamina flow room into secret fairy den was such a success that she couldn't wait to get into it.

For all it's medical paraphernalia it has a peaceful room which is full of fairies - the most gracious of which is the Healing Fairy so kindly gifted to Aimee from Robert Gould from the world of Brian and Wendy Froud - it really does set the scene beautifully with various fairies and pixies at her feet. To say that Aimee loves it hardly describes how much Aimee loves it.

The transplant itself took place last night and passed off without incident. Aimee had a peaceful and undisturbed night too. We now wait for the marrow to find its new home and settle in - hopefully with minimal ill-effects. It was quite a moving sight to see the marrow gifted to Aimee and to think that some one somewhere has the potential to give her a new life. Whoever that very special person is their selfless act is one that I hope Aimee has the opportunity to say thank you to in person in the days ahead.

Thank you for all the love and support you have shown Aimee - it truly helps us all

From Rosie - Aimee's mother:

Aimee had a fabulous day - she arrived at her party in style in a limo and among her many friends was greeted by a Roman Centurion Soldier and Wizard

She partied the afternoon away only needing to rest at the last minute.

Aimee is a bright spirit and with the help of reiki she is keeping strong. Light and love permitting we will see her through the other side cleansed, renewed and ready to enjoy life again

Aimee received a special poem from Albert E Gazeley in Hong Kong
Please click here to read the poem

Picture - click on for larger image
Latest News
7th July 2004

Dear Myrea and David

Well Sunday was Aimee's 9th Birthday held at the Swallow Hotel in Dundee.

I was their to escort Aimee along with Mr Jasper, as her Roman Bodyguard when she arrived in her large limo; All went well, Aimee coped fine, she managed to eat, drink and be very Merry bless her, she was also quite a little dancer on the floor to the music.

We delivered mail & the many gifts from around the world that arrived here, please thank everyone, Cards are still coming today.

We are going to have dinner with Aimee's Mum and Dad soon.

May 31st 2004

To Aimee from the many Fairy Artists from around the World who have been touched by the story of your special love of fairies you have a special place in our hearts that our wishes may come true for you, as well as your wishes too.

Meet Aimee Butler - a very special friend to the fairies.

Aimee is suffering from leukaemia for the second time in her young life.
(please read the letter to all fairy believers and artists from Aimee's mother below)

Aimee is a true believer in fairies and her love of fairy folklore fills her world. Together with her brother older Leigh, Aimee enjoys all kind of magical books, games and films from the tales of Han Christian Anderson to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy with its own stunning artworks.

Thank you to Aimee’s honorary grandparents John and Rosemary Richardson who told us about Aimee and to Aimee’s Mum for all her letters to us.

Letter from Aimee's mother

Bringing Magic into Aimee’s Life

Aimee is fighting leukaemia for the second time in her young life. The disease – acute lymphoblastic leukaemia the most common type of childhood leukaemia - first reared its head in 2000 when she was just five. Following two and half years of gruelling chemotherapy and almost a year off treatment, Aimee and her family thought the disease was finally behind them. They had celebrated the best Christmas that the family had enjoyed for some time, when they were devastated with the news a few days later at the beginning of 2004 that the leukaemia had came back.

In a tribute to fairies world Aimee’s mum Rosie said: “Without the love and continuing support of David and Myrea at Fairies World, and their many artists friends and supporters Aimee’s spirit would have greatly dimmed over the last weeks and months. After David’s call to help send Aimee fairy kisses and fairy pictures to cheer her throughout the long days of treatment and recovery our house is filled with fairy pictures and figures. If you pause for a second you can almost feel the beat of fairy wings on your cheek.”

While treating childhood leukaemia is considered one of cancer’s great success stories with cure rates of up to 85%, doctors are still trying to understand why one in four children with the disease will suffer a relapse. Children like Aimee, who relapse, face a tough time in trying to beat the disease a second time, either through more years of chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant.
With a rare tissue type Aimee still needs to find a bone marrow donor before a transplant can take place.

Aimee has courageously fought the disease through 18 weeks of aggressive chemotherapy and its side effects to bring the disease under sufficient control to give a bone marrow transplant the chance of success. Vulnerability to infection during the chemotherapy places an added burden of the immune system and Aimee has also fought against various infections including pneumonia, chicken pox and a tummy bug.

Throughout her illness Aimee has also depended on regular blood and platelet transfusions to offset the effects of the leukaemia and the side effects of the chemotherapy. It is likely that blood donors who subsequently opt to become bone marrow donors could hold the key to finding a match for Aimee and hundreds like her – adults and children - who battle this terrible disease.

As medical staff repeatedly search some 50 bone marrow registers around the world for a potential bone marrow match Aimee’s mother, Rosie Butler, has approached the Scottish National Blood Bank to explore further ways of helping Aimee.

As a result of these discussions with staff in the Scottish National Blood Bank Aimee’s plight in searching for a bone marrow donor is set to become a feature of National Blood Donor week which runs in Scotland from Monday June 8th. A local campaign to encourage blood donors to consider becoming bone marrow donors will also be launched with a possibility of rolling the campaign across Scotland.

In the meantime Aimee is undergoing regular chemotherapy to keep the disease at bay until a bone marrow transplant can be performed.

If anyone who is touched by Aimee’s story and they want to help her and other youngsters like her Rosie asks that you get in touch with your local blood bank and find out about becoming a blood donor and possibly a bone marrow donor.

Dear Friends

Unexpectedly we had news last week (7 June) that a donor had been found for Aimee. With no match in the family and a rare tissue type giving her a one in a million chance of finding a match we were stunned that in only eight weeks doctors had found a 9/10 match which greatly increases her chances of getting through the immediate post transplant period - Aimee is delighted with the news

There are still very difficult days ahead but at least there is a path to follow now - it is hoped that things will kick off after her birthday on July 4th - with the transplant scheduled for July 15th - the first 4/5 weeks will be the most critical for her - we all hope and pray that she finds the strength and will to get through to the better days ahead

To everyone who has taken an interest sending messages of support, good wishes and your prayers for Aimee's well being, your kindness is inspirational and helps us to face the challenge of each day and gives strength to the little patient.

I still don't have Aimee's new hospital address details but should you wish to write to her please use

Aimee Butler
c/o John Richardson
29 Letham Rise
Dalgety Bay
Fife
KY11 9FW
Scotland

Thank you so much.

Rosie Butler - Aimee's mum

If you wish to help Aimee please try the following web sites or contact

Bone Marrow Donor and Cord Blood Registries, participating in BMDW
Bone Marrow Donors World

http://www.marrow.org/
http://www.bmdw.org/
http://www.bmdw.org/Addresses/AllRegistries.html
http://www.charityadvantage.com/abmdr/Home.asp
http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk/
http://www.blood.co.uk/pages/marrow_info.html
http://www.charityadvantage.com/abmdr/FAQ.asp

About.Com

From John

I was given the honour of reading her a story from one of her magic tale books. At this time I gave her a little Red Jasper Polished stone, and told her, inside this lived Mr Jasper, and he listened to everyone's needs and sometimes granted wishes.

While reading she leaned forward and told me that already she had made 2 wishes, and asked if Mr Jasper also had connections with heaven, Yes I told her he certainly does for its magic, But she reminded me, I cant tell you the wishes, they are a secret, Yes that is so I told her. Keep your wonderful heart open to love and its rich gifts."

Honorary Grandparents Rosemary and John

A special message from April in Australia.

Aimee - a Very Special Little Fairy

When I first wrote to Aimee, I told her of the time when I was about her age when I was fortunate enough to see a "fairy". I had left our lounge room momentarily and was away but a short while. Upon returning, I entered the room quite suddenly and unexpectedly, making no sound. There, standing alongside the television set, the daylight behind her streaming in through the window, stood a fairy. She would have been no more than five inches in height, with almost white-blonde hair, and wearing a dark-pink dress. It was a good few seconds before she registered my presence there in the room distracted as she was by attentively brushing her long, fair locks. My silent entrance had remained unheard. Suddenly, she looked up, and with a look of surprise on her face - she vanished!

The photographs here of myself were taken at a Science Fiction Convention in Adelaide, South Australia, back in 1992. The Guest of Honour was writer Neil Gaiman, who had recently earned the distinction of being the only comic book writer to win the highly prized FantasyCon Award for his story of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". My Masquerade Costume entry as "Tinkerbell" from the movie "Hook" managed to win an award also, for the Best Reproduction - Julia Roberts, watch out!

With Many Regards and Best Fairy Wishes to a Wonderful Little Girl.

April XX